Visitors planning a trip to Starved Rock State Park for the Memorial Day holiday weekend or throughout the busy summer months are advised to expect travel delays, and are encouraged to consider alternate routes to avoid congestion at the Illinois Rt. 178 bridge project near the park’s west entrance.

In an initiative to create more profitable opportunities for Illinois farmers, the Senate and House unanimously passed a proposal to legalize the growth, cultivation and processing of industrial hemp.

Drawing Illinois closer to the enactment of the life-saving Annie LeGere Law, the House of Representatives passed an amendment that would encourage medical professionals’ participation in the initiative to equip police officers with epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) for allergy-related emergencies.

With about week and a half left in the spring legislative session, Senate Republicans remain hopeful a balanced budget, without a tax increase, will be approved by May 31. Meanwhile, Governor Rauner introduced his public safety initiative and the U.S. Supreme Court announced a major decision on sports gaming.

Future water rates – and how much they will increase throughout the state – now depend on how Illinois Senators vote on House Bill 4508 according to Sen. Rezin.

With the first wave of the 10-year Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards expiring this summer, Illinois State Police (ISP) are anticipating a significant backlog of renewal applications. In response, Sen. Rezin is joining Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz in urging Illinois firearm owners to file paperwork early to renew their FOID cards.

Two measures advancing through the General Assembly would give more opportunities to high school students who are college bound or looking for vocational training.

State Sen. Sue Rezin presented three Peru Firefighters with a Senate Certificate of Recognition during the 25th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial & Firefighting Medal of Honor Award Ceremony May 8 in Springfield. The three firefighters, Lt. Neil Nadolski, Firefighter Alex Duncan, and Firefighter Ben Bentley also all received the Firefighter Excellence Award.

Legislation aimed at protecting the integrity of the non-profit grant process has passed the Senate.

Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD oil, would become legal in Illinois, under legislation unanimously passed by the Senate April 25.

Beginning next year, state lawmakers would no longer automatically get free healthcare when they retire, under Senate Bill 2292 that was approved unanimously by the Senate.

Legislation giving motorists the option to register their vehicles for more than one year at a time, would provide a convenience and save the state money.

Dozens of high school students from across State Sen. Sue Rezin’s 38th Senate District traveled south to Springfield May 1 to participate in her Youth Advisory Council.

State Sen. Sue Rezin says considering Illinois’ financial picture, lawmakers shouldn’t receive any pay raise. Right now, under current law, lawmakers would receive a scheduled Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, on July 1.

Law-abiding citizens who hold a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card would be able to display an electronic version of his or her FOID card on their phones or other electronic devices, under legislation passed unanimously be the Senate April 25. Senate Bill 2677 is intended to prevent law-abiding citizens from being charged with a crime if they simply forgot their FOID card.

Republican leaders in the General Assembly introduced resolutions in the Illinois Senate and House this week calling on a revenue estimate to be certified for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2019 budget, which begins July 1.

In an effort to help with a nursing shortage throughout the state, especially in rural areas, State Sen. Sue Rezin is co-sponsoring legislation (Senate Bill 888) that would allow a Board of Trustees of a community college to offer a bachelor's degree in nursing.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. It’s a safe and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs that have gone either unused or expired.

New legislation filed this week would allow residents in Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) counties to lower their property tax bills via referendum, an ability that is currently only given to residents in non-PTELL counties.

With the rising costs of college tuition, getting to and through college is as much about finances as it is about academics.

Illinois families and businesses need certainty when it comes to planning for their future said Sen. Rezin and several Senate Republican legislators during a press conference announcing legislation that opposes any attempt to amend our state Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax rate, which would be another tax increase on Illinois families.

The Senate Environment Committee passed legislation (Senate Bill 2492) April 12 that would require on-site groundwater monitoring at clean construction and demolition debris sites in LaSalle County.

With seven weeks remaining on the spring session calendar, Governor Bruce Rauner held a meeting with the four legislative leaders to discuss the parameters and need for a balanced budget that does not include any new taxes. Specifically, he asked that each caucus certify its revenue estimates, support a full-year balanced budget, ensure revenues equal or exceed expenditures (as required by law) and include no tax increases.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing the launch of its Opioid Data Dashboard, an innovative way to access data on opioid overdoses and deaths. The Opioid Data Dashboard is an interactive website that offers information on how opioids are affecting people in Illinois.

Seeking to place stricter consequences on those behind the bothersome barrage of robo-calls that keep cell phones ringing around the clock, Senator Sue Rezin, along with other Senate Republican lawmakers, are calling for legislative action on Senate Bill 2573 that aims to address the growing problem of robo-calls throughout the state.