Hello everyone and happy Monday!
While the Illinois General Assembly has been in session the last few weeks, we have seen minimal legislative action. Few bills have even received a committee hearing, despite our upcoming committee passage deadline.
Unfortunately, the people of Illinois cannot continue waiting for our legislature to take action. The cost of living crisis, growing tax burden, and out-of-control spending on illegal immigrants continue making life harder for hard-working Illinoisans and demand our immediate attention.
I will continue working hard in Springfield and at home to bring results to the people of our community. As always, please feel free to contact my office with questions, comments, or concerns at any time.
I am here to serve you!
Local Government Bill Passes Committee
Last week, I was able to pass a bill to help save money for small units of local government through the Counties & Townships Committee with a unanimous vote of 10-0. House Bill 1911 now awaits further action on the House floor.
Be sure to stay tuned to this e-newsletter for more updates as this bill, and others, continue to move through our legislative process!
February Local Business Highlight
For my February 2025 local business highlight, I am proud to recognize Dinges Fire Company in Amboy for their dedication to public safety and their remarkable growth as a company. Dinges Fire Company provides essential equipment and services to fire departments across the Midwest, and their continued expansion is a testament to their hard work and commitment to their mission.
Founded in 2002 by owner Nick Dinges, Dinges Fire Company sells firefighter protective equipment, rescue tools, gear, and more. They also service fire trucks on site. Dinges Fire Company currently employs over 180 people across multiple states.
I also want to recognize Nick Dinges not only as a business leader but as a dedicated public servant. Not only does he work as an Assistant Fire Chief with the Sublette Fire Department and a firefighter-paramedic with the Amboy Fire Department, but Nick also runs Sublette 365, a non-profit organization that works to fund projects to develop and beautify Sublette. Nick has devoted himself to bettering our community. His leadership, and the continued success of his team, deserve to be honored.
Dinges Fire Company is located at 243 East Main Street in Amboy. For more information, you can visit their website at DingesFire.com.
To nominate a local business in District 74 for a future highlight, click here.
Staff Honored with Shoulder to the Wheel Award
I couldn’t be more proud of my Deputy Chief of Staff and Outreach Director, Piper Grazulis, for receiving the Shoulder to the Wheel Award from the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to the people of the 74th District is remarkable, and I am truly fortunate to have such a committed team member working every day to improve our community.
The Shoulder to the Wheel Award honors an individual who demonstrates unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment to the betterment of the community. This award recognizes those who go above and beyond, putting their “shoulder to the wheel” to drive positive change, support local initiatives, and uplift businesses and residents through their efforts. Recipients exemplify resilience, perseverance, and a true spirit of service, making a lasting impact on the community.
“As the committee reviewed the applications and reflected on the incredible success of so many outstanding individuals, one name kept surfacing,” said Sam Smith, President/CEO of the Rock Falls Chamber. “Piper’s positivity and drive stood out time and again. As the committee finalized their discussion, it became clear that there was a bold and deserving winner for this year’s award.”
Audit Shows $1.6 Billion Spent on Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants
We warned Democrats that their programs providing health benefits to illegal immigrants were unsustainable and unfair to the taxpayers of Illinois. Now we find out that not only did they egregiously overspend on these benefits, but there were also thousands of improper enrollments in the programs. This is unacceptable and these programs need to be ended now.
Find the full audit of the HBIS/HBIA programs here.
Community Outreach
I attended the Cultivating Connections in Agriculture event to speak with fellow farmers, future farmers, and leaders in our local agriculture community. It was a great opportunity for us to network and learn more about our next generation of farmers. Thank you to Tettens Grain, Inc. for hosting this event!
Congratulations to the Dixon Historic Theater on your grand re-opening! They did an excellent job renovating this historic theater that has been a cornerstone of Downtown Dixon for almost 103 years. Looking forward to seeing this theater thrive for generations to come!
I recently took a tour of Treehouse Foods in Dixon. This food processing facility provides over 130 local jobs supplying food products to restaurants, food supply stores, and more. Thanks for your hard work and for showing me around your facility!
Washington School in Dixon welcomed me for a tour of their facilities. I spoke with teachers and faculty about the work they are doing and how I can best represent them in Springfield. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me!
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
District 74