A researcher from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) says unlike other states, most overdoses and opioid-related deaths in Illinois are caused by heroin use. James Swartz says it is also often in combination of potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanyl.

Corn and soybeans across Illinois are enjoying a strong growing season this year thanks to Mother Nature. According to the latest Crop Progress and Conditions Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 81 percent of corn is considered in good to excellent condition right now. For soybeans, it’s 72 percent.

A recent report from the Anderson Economic Group shows Illinois ranks 35th in the country in business tax burden, up from 32nd a year before. The findings, however, were from the latest fiscal year data available, 2016, which came before the corporate and personal income tax rates were increased in 2017.

In response to the state’s ongoing teacher shortage, House Bill 5627 was recently signed into law seeking to help draw educators to Illinois, retain existing teachers and assist former teachers interested in returning to the classroom. Proponents say the new law offers common-sense changes to help ease Illinois’ growing teacher shortage as legislators explore long-term solutions to the growing crisis.

The Secretary of State’s office this week began the “opt-in” voter registration at driver service facilities as part of the state’s new Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) law that was signed in August 2017. The AVR was advanced as a way to both modernize and simplify the state’s voter registration process.

A state pilot program on competency-based graduation requirements was recently expanded under Senate Bill 2941, legislation recently signed into law that will place a greater emphasis on a student’s level and quality of education, as opposed to hours simply spent in a classroom.

On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision about Janus v. AFSCME. The court held that forcing government employees who do not wish to join the union to pay “fair share” union dues violates the First Amendment, and States and public-sector unions may no longer extract fair share fees (agency fees) from non-consenting employees.

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently announced that the federal government has approved the state’s plan to protect safety-net and rural hospitals while ensuring continued federal support for quality healthcare to more than three million Illinoisans.

Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. However, the thrill of fireworks can also bring injury.

Suburban Chicago leaders and the state’s top consumer watchdog group on Monday urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that will give special treatment to Illinois’ most powerful private water companies, making it easier for them to buy municipal water systems and slap their customers with higher rates.

Illinois’ new adoption credit program will make it easier for families to adopt, connecting children with loving families.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois for 2018.

A joint Senate and House hearing was held June 20 in Chicago in response to a recently released Chicago Tribune investigation that revealed sexual abuse and assaults had been frequently mishandled over a 10-year period in Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) will be joined by State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) and State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) for their “Coffee & Conversation,” an open conversation event for constituents Thursday, June 14 in Somonauk.

Legislation aimed at helping attract more students to universities in Illinois by creating a four-year Monetary Award Program (MAP grants) has been approved by the Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 5020, co-sponsored by State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris), is an effort to reverse the trends of enrollment declines at most universities throughout the state.

Gov. Rauner signed the $38.5 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2019 into law on June 4, and while Senate Republican lawmakers said they recognize that the new state budget is not perfect, they emphasized the compromise will ensure vital state services remain funded, including health coverage for children and senior citizens, as well as other priorities that save lives and protect the public.

State Sen. Sue Rezin alongside Grundy County area businesses and economic leaders, helped kick off the Grundy County Summer Internship Program.

I am pleased the budget is balanced, and most importantly, there are no new taxes. Republicans made that clear from the beginning that we would not accept a budget that included another tax increase

After months of study about the future of Illinois’ higher education system, the Higher Education Working Group announced a package of comprehensive reforms on May 29.

On May 29, Gov. Rauner announced a plan today to invest more than $11 billion in the state’s roads and bridges over the next six years, including $2.2 billion of state and federal funding in the upcoming fiscal year.

On May 30, the Senate voted 56-2 to pass a $38 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2019. Senator said much of the credit goes to the budgeteers who spent many hours hammering out the details, and to the legislative leaders who worked together to support the compromise.

State Sen. Sue Rezin’s 38th Senate District will see nearly $40 million in roads and bridges improvements the upcoming fiscal year. The projeState Sen. Sue Rezin’s 38th Senate District will see nearly $40 million in roads and bridges improvements the upcoming fiscal year. The projects are part of Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Improvement Program. cts are part of Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Improvement Program.

The Route 23 Bridge in Streator that spans the Vermilion River will be known as the "Vietnam Veteran Michael W. Ragusa Memorial Bridge.”

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.