FY25 Budget Update
At nearly 5:00 AM on May 29th, the Illinois House of Representatives finally adjourned our spring session. Due to poor planning by the majority party, we were taking up legislation through the night and ended when the sun finally began to rise.
In my opinion, all of the work we do as legislators should be completely transparent and easily accessible to the public. Passing a $53.1 billion budget when our constituents are asleep is a shameful way to keep voters (literally) in the dark on an unbalanced budget. The corrupt nature in which this budget was enacted is a true testament that one-party rule is unacceptable.
Here are a few other important figures:
- The FY25 budget is $53.1 billion, the largest in Illinois history.
- Includes $1 billion in tax hikes.
- Includes $1 billion for non-citizen programs.
The priorities of the current administration are so backward that they will spend $1 billion on non-citizens before providing hardworking taxpayers with economic relief. Our Illinois taxpayers and families are suffocating. Raising taxes in order to cover a self-made migrant crisis is the epitome of poor public policy.
To the residents of the 74th District, I promise to continue advocating every day I serve for a fiscally responsible budget that finally puts Illinoisans first. We must work together to keep the majority party in check by insisting on a voice at the table. Together we can put Illinois on a path towards fiscal sustainability when we drop partisanship and work for the people.
Upcoming Summer Tour Events
Coffee & Conversation
JUNE 20
Amboy – Sunset Inn Restaurant – 1578 US-30 (8:00 am to 10:00 am)
JULY 10
*In Partnership with Leader Tony McCombie!*
Polo – Garden View Family Restaurant – 118 W. Mason Street (8:00 am to 10:00 am)
Traveling Office Hours
JUNE 13
Paw Paw Public Library – 362 Chicago Road (10:00 am to 11:00 am)
JULY 11
Mendota Chamber of Commerce – 800 Washington Street (10:00 am to 11:30 am)
For the full 2024 Summer Tour Schedule, click here!
June Local Business Highlight
For my June 2024 local business highlight, I chose to highlight Rooney’s in Franklin Grove because of their deep-rooted values of family and community. They are heavily involved with charity work in our area, specifically helping children facing homelessness and children battling cancer.
Rooney’s was officially founded in 2019 by owners John and Amy Lauer. They wanted to design a local community-focused establishment that incorporates old aspects of the Rooney building with their new design, such as building the bar top out of the old flooring.
John and Amy are assets to our community who had a goal to ‘create an environment that makes customers feel safe and supported to come in however they please’. I believe they have accomplished that mission and are a great example of the benefit of community-driven businesses that have a positive impact on their customers.
Rooney’s is located at 119 N. Elm Street in Franklin Grove. For more information, click here to visit their official Facebook page.
To nominate a local business in District 74 for a future highlight, click here.
Community Outreach
I had the chance to speak at a press conference honoring the Safe Route to School grants awarded in Mendota! This is a much-needed grant to provide sidewalk updates and additions throughout the community!
Thank you to my staff for attending the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce annual dinner! One of the highlights of this event is the awards for exemplary members of the chamber. It’s always a great recognition of our local businesses!
What a great turnout for our shred event this weekend with Self Help in Sterling! It was great to speak with constituents while offering a service to our community.
Thank you to everyone who came out to my first 2024 Summer Tour event at Lincoln Way Cafe! I truly enjoyed speaking with so many constituents about our community and the work I’ve been doing down in Springfield.
My office hosted Traveling Office Hours in Ashton and Franklin Grove. Thank you to all who came out for these two great events!
Last week, I toured 7:24 Fitness on the Rock in Rock Falls with owner Nick Pepper. I spoke with Nick about what he and his team do here and how I can help local businesses like his succeed in Illinois!
From corporations to roadside lemonade stands and everything in between, I’m here to support Illinois businesses! Thanks to this great local entrepreneur for the cup of lemonade while I was out and about working on constituent services!
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