Good afternoon and Happy July! I hope everyone stays cool during this heatwave.
My office has been busy across the 74th District. From our annual Summer Tour to attending community events and planning upcoming outreach, my team and I are ready to make the most of the summer!
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office at any time. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 815-561-3690.
$800 Million in New Taxes to Take Effect in New State Budget
Governor Pritzker’s promise of affordability seems to have gone out the window as Illinoisans are about to get hit with $800 million in new taxes on fantasy sports, digital advertising, cryptocurrency, and prediction markets. It’s time to stop the tax-and-spend policies and get Illinois families the relief they deserve.
Governor Pritzker Signs Law Granting Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition
On Friday, Governor Pritzker signed a new law granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. From driver’s licenses to health care, and now in-state tuition, the Governor continues to turn Illinois into a sanctuary state of giveaways for those here illegally.
Senior Fair
I encourage all local seniors to come out for our free senior health fair on Wednesday, July 15th at DeKalb High School! This fair is a great resource that will allow seniors to receive multiple services at once.
The senior health fair will provide information on how to save money and improve their health, along with offering free health screenings. There will be dozens of vendors available from area businesses, organizations, and state agencies aimed at helping seniors in every aspect of their lives.
Rx Drop-Off Drive
All local residents are encouraged to attend our prescription drop-off drive on Thursday, July 16th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The event will take place in the parking lot of the Ogle County Services Building, located at 510 Lincoln Highway in Rochelle.
Participants should remain in their vehicles and follow the marked lanes when entering and exiting the parking lot for safety reasons. Accepted medications include tablets, capsules, patches, vaping devices and cartridges (lithium batteries removed), and pet medications. Restricted items include liquids, syringes, and needles.
Thanks to the Ogle County Health Department and the Rochelle Police Department for partnering with my office on this event!
Summer Tour
Join me for my 2026 Summer Tour! This year, I will be making four stops across the district for Coffee & Conversation and Town Hall events.
This tour is one of my favorite parts of being your State Representative, as it allows me to speak directly with the people I am honored to represent.
Coffee & Conversation – Mendota
WHEN: August 4th, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
WHERE: Ziggie’s Family Restaurant – 1212 1st Avenue, Mendota
Town Hall – Paw Paw
WHEN: August 11th, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
WHERE: Paw Paw Community Center – 362 Chicago Road, Paw Paw
Hope to see you at one of these events! If you’re unable to attend, you can contact my office at any time by phone at 815-561-3690 or by email at [email protected].
Community Outreach
We had amazing turnout at our annual Shred Event, hosted at Self Help Enterprises in Sterling! Over 3,000 lbs of paper was shredded this year. Thanks to Self Help for continuing to be a great partner in this event!
The new splash pad at Northwestern Steel & Wire Park in Sterling is officially open! Families can stop by this amazing new facility that includes a splash pad, moveable water cannons, a dump bucket, and more, at 201 Wallace Street in Sterling.
It was great to join the Lee County Council on Aging for the Senior Fair! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit, ask questions, and learn more about the resources and services available to seniors in our community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee & Conversation at Lincoln Way Café in Franklin Grove! It was great to sit down with constituents, hear your thoughts, answer questions, and discuss the issues that matter most to our communities. A special thank you to the team at Lincoln Way Café for hosting us and for the fantastic cinnamon rolls that everyone enjoyed. They were a big hit!
It was great to visit OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota and meet with President Heather Bomstad. We had a good discussion about the issues facing rural healthcare and the important role Saint Paul plays in serving the area. As a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, OSF Saint Paul provides essential healthcare services for residents across the region. Thank you to Heather and the entire staff for the work you do every day to care for patients and keep our communities healthy.
A great morning at the Sterling Rock Falls Child Care Early Learning Center! We toured the center and spoke with its director about the challenges of operating a high-quality childcare facility with limited funding. The center currently serves 130 children—from just 6 weeks old through age 5—and has room to help even more families. Thank you to the dedicated team working every day to provide local children with a safe, welcoming place to learn, grow, and thrive!
Another great Hunter Safety Course is in the books! We had a full class, and every student passed the course. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success, including the Green River Saddle Club in Amboy who hosted us!
Museum Pass
Are you looking to visit one of the incredible museums across the Chicagoland area? Utilize my office’s FREE museum pass, allowing admission to any participating museum for up to four people.
Reservations are required and must be made by completing our request form, which can be completed by clicking here.
Talk to you soon,
State Representative Bradley J. Fritts