New Bills with Brad – House Bill 4999
This week, I want to discuss a bill that will make it easier for drivers to obtain their Commercial Drivers License, or CDL. We are currently facing a concerning shortage of truck drivers in Illinois and this is impacting all types of industries, especially the farming industry that relies on truck drivers to transport crops.
House Bill 4999 will make it easier for individuals to obtain their CDL by allowing commercial driver training schools to administer CDL exams. This will allow more testing locations for CDL applicants and may be far closer to where they live than a state-operated facility.
Community Outreach
My staff attended a ribbon cutting for El Jacalito in Sterling as they celebrated joining the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce! Congratulations to the El Jacalito team on your success!
Construction has officially started on the new Creston library. I am thrilled that the Creston community will soon be able to access this incredible resource for all ages!
My staff attended a ribbon cutting for VIVA! Performing Arts School in Dixon as they officially joined the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to the entire VIVA! Team!
Thank you to the civics class at Serena High School who welcomed me in for a presentation earlier this week! I was able to discuss my role as a legislator, how Illinois government works, and the importance of civic engagement.
Last week, my staff attended a ribbon cutting for Runnings in Rochelle as they officially joined the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to Runnings on your success!
Congratulations to Axiom Wealth Advisors, LLC for joining the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce with their new Dixon office! It’s great to see another business grow in our community!
Heritage Woods of Sterling just celebrated their 15th anniversary. Congratulations to the entire Heritage Woods team for your hard work providing our seniors with outstanding care!
I recently had the opportunity to tour OnCall Imaging in Rock Falls. We need more access to healthcare services in rural Illinois, and imaging centers like OnCall are working to get us there! Thank you to the incredible staff for taking the time to show me your facility!
Thank you to the faculty and staff at Washington Elementary School in Sterling for giving me a tour of your school! It’s always a pleasure for me to see our next generation of leaders and to learn more from our incredible educators.
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Agriculture Roundtable! This was a great event with local agriculture leaders and farmers, along with Leader Tony McCombie and State Representative Jeff Keicher.
Shabbona State Park Survey
In 1829, a Federal Treaty between the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the United States Government allowed the Potawatomi Nation to maintain 1,280 acres of land in what is now DeKalb County. However, the agreement was never fulfilled, and the land was subsequently sold by the U.S. government in 1849. This land now holds part of the Shabbona Lake State Park.
Legislation has been proposed by another member of the Illinois House of Representatives, House Bill 4107, that would return this land by transferring the entirety of Shabbona Lake State Park, 1,550 acres of land and 318 acres of lake, back to the Potawatomi Nation. This land transfer would be done without disrupting or challenging the land of current homeowners.
In order to best serve my constituents, I am requesting feedback on this legislation from residents who live within a 15-mile radius of the Shabbona State Park. To complete this survey, please click here.
If You Are in Springfield
If you plan to visit Springfield in the coming months, please reach out! I am always available for my constituents and would be happy to meet with you during your visit. It is crucial that the government operates with transparency, and I encourage you to hold me, and my colleagues, accountable!
Keep Up to Date
Click here to visit my website. There you can contact my office, see what legislation I am working on, and more.
Click here to “like” me on Facebook for more frequent updates.
I will continue to update you via this e-newsletter to keep you up to date on my efforts to pass bills in Springfield and serve you in the district.
Talk to you soon,
State Representative Bradley J. Fritts