July Local Business Highlight
For my July 2024 local business highlight, I chose to highlight Kelly’s in Sterling because of their commitment to supporting our community and offering a fun, family-friendly spot to eat. Kelly’s is well-known for its welcoming atmosphere and great service, but I also appreciate their consistent support of local schools, fundraisers, auctions, and more.
Kelly’s opened in 1952 as ‘Ed and John’s Flamingo’ under former owners, Ed Kelly and John Flock. In 1981, Ed passed the business to Sally Kelly and Nancy Kelly McDonnell, Ed’s daughter.
Kelly’s is a staple neighborhood spot in Sterling. I appreciate all that the owners and staff have done to give back to others and to create a friendly community restaurant.
Kelly’s is located at 218 Locust Street in Sterling. For more information, visit Kellysinc.com.
To nominate a local business in District 74 for a future highlight, click here.
School Supply Drive Reminder!
Right now, families across Illinois are struggling to afford basic necessities like school supplies due to the increasing cost of living. This is why I am hosting my second annual school supply drive for kids in need. The drive will run from July 17th to July 31st.
All supplies can be dropped off at one of the following participating locations:
- Amboy Food and Liquor – 242 E. Main Street, Amboy
- Clinton Township Public Library – 110 South Elm Street, Waterman
- County Financial – 351 Chicago Road, Paw Paw
- Dixon Main Street – 87 S. Hennepin Avenue, Dixon
- Extreme Image Salon – 207 W. Main Street, Morrison
- Franklin Grove Public Library – 112 S. Elm Street, Franklin Grove
- Mendota Chamber of Commerce – 800 Washington Street, Mendota
- Olivers Corner Market – 748 N. Brinton Avenue, Dixon
- Rep. Fritts’ District Office – 101 W. First Street, Suite 501, Dixon
- Rochelle Chamber of Commerce – 501 6th Avenue, Rochelle
- Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce – 211 Locust Street, Sterling
- Sauk Valley Community College – 173 IL 2, Dixon (Located inside West Mall and Dillon Mall)
Let’s come together as a community to help our students succeed!
For more information about the School Supply Drive, click here!
Upcoming Summer Tour Events
Coffee & Conversation
AUGUST 7
Sterling – Maple City Pancake House – 405 5th Avenue (8:00 am to 10:00 am)
AUGUST 20
Rock Falls – A’s Kitchen – 2004 1st Avenue (8:00 am to 10:00 am)
AUGUST 21
Mendota – Ziggie’s Family Restaurant – 1212 1st Avenue (8:00 am to 10:00 am)
Traveling Office Hours
AUGUST 13
Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce – 601 W. 10th Street (10:00 am to 11:30 am)
Sterling – Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce – 211 Locust Street (12:30 pm to 2:00 pm)
AUGUST 15
Earlville City Building – 210 Railroad Street (9:30 am to 10:30 am)
Waterman Village Hall – 215 W. Adams Street (11:30 am to 12:30 pm)
Shabbona Public Works Building – 206 Blackhawk Street (1:30 pm to 2:30 pm)
For the full 2024 Summer Tour Schedule, click here!
Community Outreach
Thanks to my staff for hosting traveling office hours in Mendota! If you ever have questions or concerns that my office can assist with, come out to one of our traveling office hours events.
I had the chance to attend an informative meeting in Leland about improving economic development efforts in rural communities. This is an issue that many constituents are concerned about, and I will continue working with leaders in our local communities to bring more businesses and development to our region!
I toured Northern Illinois Home Medical Supply in Dixon. They provide medical equipment and personalized customer service in the Sauk Valley area. Thank you for showing me around your facility and telling me more about the work you do to improve home healthcare in our community!
Congratulations to the Village of Lee on your 150th anniversary! The ceremony to celebrate was a blast and we even had the chance to see the time capsule with photos and letters from 50 years ago!
Great visit to the Northern Illinois Center for Independent Living (NICIL) in Sterling! They offer resources and assistance to some of our most vulnerable communities and help them live independently. Thank you to the NICIL staff for taking the time to speak with me about all that you do!
Thanks to everyone who came out for another Coffee & Conversation event at Sunrise Family Restaurant in Rochelle! It was a pleasure to speak with constituents about their questions, concerns, and what they need from me as a legislator.
I had the chance to tour Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling. They do an incredible job providing compassionate inpatient and at-home hospice care. It was a pleasure to speak with the team and tour their facility!
I recently visited Castor Home Nursing in Sterling to speak with staff and tour their facility. Castor is working hard to fill in the healthcare access gaps in our rural communities by providing home nursing, supplying equipment, and more!
Thank you to the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association and Women of Asphalt Illinois for giving us a tour of Curran Contracting! It was a great experience for us to learn more about this industry and how we can help down in Springfield.
Congratulations to the Rock River Trail & Horseman Association on the grand opening of your new arena in Franklin Grove! This is a great addition to our local community.
My staff recently attended the ribbon cutting for the new section of multi-use pathways along the riverfront in Downtown Dixon. This is another step forward in the Dixon Riverfront Master Plan that will revitalize the riverfront for residents to enjoy. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this new amenity a possibility!
Celebrating National Intern Day!
Happy National Intern Day to our two 2024 summer interns: JoJo Yeager and Mike Rock! They have both been working hard this summer meeting with constituents, helping us with outreach events, and more. Thank you JoJo and Mike for all that you do!
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