Hello everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather this week!
The last few weeks have been busy at home in the 74th District. After our inauguration and lame duck session, we had a two-week break before we head back to Springfield for session today. It has been a great time for me to catch up with constituents and hear about your priorities as we move into the 104th General Assembly.
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any comments, questions, or concerns!
January Local Business Highlight
For my January 2025 local business highlight, I chose to honor Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream because they provide an excellent, family-friendly dining establishment and remain incredibly involved in our community. They support local schools and sports teams and will offer a helping hand whenever someone needs it.
Originally opened in 1987, Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream in Morrison is a franchised location owned and operated by Lynn and Kevin Kenady. Both of their daughters worked at the restaurant while growing up.
Kevin and Lynn are both incredibly involved in our community, both in their capacity as business owners and private citizens. We are lucky to have such dedicated members of our community who work to build a better future for everyone.
Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream is located at 109 West Main Street in Morrison. For more information, click here or visit their website at HappyJoes.com and select the Morrison location.
To nominate a local business in District 74 for a future highlight, click here.
Community Outreach
I stopped by the Flewellin Memorial Library in Shabbona to discuss the upcoming ballot referendum that would increase their budget and expand this library into a full district. Thank you to everyone who came out to ask questions and share their thoughts on this important local issue!
Congratulations to the newly rebranded BP Gas Station (formerly Clark station) in Rochelle! Great to see this business celebrating their refresh and re-opening to our community.
It was a pleasure to attend the ribbon cutting for the new Lovett Child Development Center at the Dixon Family YMCA. This new center will make a huge difference for the families in our community who have been previously unable to access childcare due to a massive shortage of providers in our area. Huge thanks to Dixon Family YMCA for stepping up to help our community!
It was Education Day at the Rochelle Leadership Academy, hosted by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. Participants toured Kishwaukee College, Little Hubs Learning Center, and Rochelle Township High School to learn more about the educational offerings in our area!
I recently attended a meeting with State Senator Li Arellano, Jr, ReadyNation Illinois, and Discover Dixon to discuss workforce and economic development initiatives in our area. This meeting was incredibly informative and I look forward to working together to attract more businesses and increase workforce educational opportunities!
Congratulations to Solstice Salon & Scalp Spa in Sterling on your grand opening and ribbon cutting! We are all excited to see this new, locally-owned business grow alongside our community.
I had the honor of touring multiple historic sites in Galena, Illinois, including the U.S. Grant Home, the Elihu Washburne Home, and the Market House. I was joined by some of my colleagues from the Illinois General Assembly, Canadian Consul General Aaron Annable, sculptor Davi Seagraves, Site Superintendent Terry Miller, and IDNR staff. Special shoutout to former State Senator Brian Stewart for organizing this incredible day honoring our region’s history!
It was a great night at the SVACC Annual Dinner and Meeting, hosted by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and the Whiteside Area Career Center CEO Program. The CEO program students ran the entire dinner and did a great job! Thanks for all your hard work!
I attended the Illinois Association of Park Districts annual luncheon where they presented awards to outstanding park districts and employees across Illinois. Thank you to the Coloma Township Park District for hosting me at your table!
IPASS / ICASH Event – February 4th
Join the Office of Rep. Fritts for a joint IPASS and ICASH event on February 4th from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Sterling Public Library, located at 102 W. 3rd Street in Sterling.
PASS – IPASS representatives will be available to assist constituents with updating their old transponder to the new IPASS sticker tag.
ICASH – Representatives from the Illinois Treasurer’s Office will be on hand to help constituents who may have unclaimed property with the state.
Medicare Event – February 11th
Attend a FREE Medicare seminar on February 11th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, located at 601 W. 10th Street in Rock Falls. This event is hosted by Representatives Brad Fritts and Ryan Spain and facilitated by the Illinois Department on Aging. This Medicare 101 seminar will include information about who is eligible, coverage details, and how to get help with out-of-pocket expenses.
Community Calendar
During my time touring the 74th District, I’ve heard from many constituents and organizations who want to support our local communities but don’t know where to start. To meet this need, I am proud to introduce my new ‘Community Calendar’ on my official state website! Here, residents can view upcoming community events in one streamlined location.
To view the calendar, click here!
If you are interested in submitting a community event, please click here for instructions.
Please note that as state ethics laws apply to this site, event restrictions apply. For-profit, political, or personal events will not be posted. Final decisions on which events are allowed are made at the discretion of the Office of Rep. Fritts.
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
District 74