Dear friends,
As we approach this Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to bring you some good news! The bill to protect the drinking water of a million Illinoisians who use the Mahomet Aquifer daily has now passed both the house and the Senate and is on its way to the governor’s desk! I also want to update you on my efforts to fight Illinois’ out of control property taxes! Finally, and most importantly, I want to take just a moment to personally thank our fallen heroes and their Gold Star Families as our nation solemnly remembers their sacrifice on Memorial Day.
Fighting to Protect the Mahomet Aquifer
This week, the critical bill to ban carbon dioxide sequestration and storage under the Mahomet Aquifer passed out of the General Assembly and is on its way to Governor Pritzker’s Desk. I’m pleased to see this legislation move forward, but I want to be clear—this victory belongs to you. The calls, emails, and letters from concerned central Illinoisans played a massive role in getting us to this point. Thank you for standing up and making your voice heard.
I also want to thank Senator Faraci for his hard work on this issue. I’m proud to have worked with him to pass this critical legislation on a bipartisan basis. But we’re not across the finish line yet, as the bill still needs to be signed by Governor Pritzker – the same governor who put us in this position by making a backroom deal with his billionaire buddies by signing legislation last summer to allow for the sequestration and storage of CO2 while leaving our aquifer unprotected.
Thankfully, the bill passed both chambers with a veto-proof majority. But frankly, the Governor should do the right thing this time and just sign it and not force the legislature to override a veto. Clean water is not negotiable. I encourage you to keep up the pressure because we are not done yet. I strongly encourage you to sign the petition urging the Governor to sign Senate Bill 1723 into law. 👉 https://senchapinrose.com/mahomet-aquifer-petition/
Filed Bill to Cap Soaring Property Tax Hikes
With property tax bills soaring across Illinois well in excess of inflation, I’ve filed Senate Bill 2246 to deliver real relief to homeowners. My bill caps annual property tax increases at the inflation rate, so families aren’t hit with surprise spikes they can’t afford! With inflation and rising costs straining household budgets, the government shouldn’t be ‘piling on’ – it’s time for property tax relief! My bill also significantly strengthens ‘truth in taxation’ legislation to empower local taxpayers and require locally elected boards to notify citizens if they intend to try and go above the rate of inflation. Our caucus has several other property tax relief bills filed, as well. These proposals are intended to piggyback off the property tax relief efforts that recently passed the United States House of Representatives. While the National Congress is trying to provide real property tax relief to Americans, we need to do the same in Springfield for Illinoisians.
Reflecting on Sacrifice and Service This Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a time for our nation to pause and remember the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It’s a solemn reminder that our freedoms have come at a great cost. As families gather and flags fly high, we honor those who never returned home, the heroes who defended liberty and paid the ultimate price. This week at the Capitol, I was a part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the 2025 Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance, offering a dedicated space for reflection and gratitude. This Saturday, I will be in Matton to honor the sacrifice of Corporal Nelson Earl Van Gundy. Corporal Van Gundy served in the United States Marine Corps as a rifleman with K Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He gave his life in the line of duty during the Vietnam War on June 9, 1965, in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. His courage and sacrifice, like that of so many others, will never be forgotten. To learn more about the meaning of Memorial Day and how you can honor our fallen heroes and their Gold Star families, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Memorial Day page. Also, always, please remember to “thank” a veteran year round!