Happy Monday!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter holiday and was able to spend time relaxing and recharging for the season ahead with family and friends.
Last week, I spent time back home in district as the Illinois General Assembly had its ‘Spring Break’. This was our final break week as we near the end of session. The week prior was a busy one down in Springfield as we had our third reading house bill deadline, meaning all bills had to be passed through the house to continue on in the legislative process. I am proud to share that I was able to pass four bills, all of which now await further action in the Senate.
Back home, my office has been busy at work on our summer outreach schedule. My annual Summer Tour is back and better than ever with new weekly Town Hall events. Stay tuned to my next enewsletter for more details.
As always, please feel free to contact my office with questions, comments, or concerns at any time.
I am here to serve you!
Legislative Updates
I am proud of the four bipartisan local initiatives that I was able to pass through the House. These bills are all about making life easier and less expensive for Illinoisans, especially those living in small and rural communities
- House Bill 1911 makes a clarification in law to assist smaller townships and districts that struggle to pay for expensive annual CPA audits or may be unable to even find a local firm to complete the audit.
- House Bill 2980 updates the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act to a more modern model of providing motorcycle safety classes to Illinois residents.
- House Bill 3148 saves consumers money by prohibiting additional fees for mailing monthly invoices or bills to a consumer’s address.
- House Bill 3238 is a local initiative that allows more flexibility in paying highway commissioners’ salaries.
All four of these bills now await further action in the Senate.
Agency Mismanagement
Recently, I joined a press conference with other House Republicans to discuss agency mismanagement in Illinois that has spurred an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Jack Mabley Developmental Center, located in Dixon, is one of three centers for adults with severe developmental disabilities included in this investigation.
Unfortunately, Mabley Developmental Center has been rife with issues and utter mismanagement for years. Numerous cases of abuse and neglect have been reported at this facility, which is supposed to protect and care for Illinoisans who have developmental disabilities.
Frankly, I am just sick to my stomach hearing about these incidents. And these are just a few of the horrific examples of the abuse and neglect patients have experienced at Mabley. Imagine how many more individuals will never have their stories told because they went unreported.
While Governor Pritzker was off in Mexico, the federal government had to step in and address this issue. President Trump is doing our governor’s job for him! It’s long past time that Governor Pritzker gets off his jet, rolls up his sleeves, and gets to work here in Illinois instead of campaigning in swing states, funding a Supreme Court race in Wisconsin, or chasing after CNN and MSNBC for a crumb of national attention. His agencies, which he is supposed to take full responsibility for, are failing the people of Illinois. They are allowing our most vulnerable to be abused and neglected over and over again. It’s time for change now!
To watch Rep. Fritts’ press conference remarks, click here.
Lemonade Day – May 5th
Celebrate Lemonade Day with FREE lemonade outside of my district office, located at 101 W. 1st Street in Dixon. This event is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, or while supplies last.
Sharps Drop Off – May 8th
Join my office, the Lee County Health Department, and the Dixon YMCA for a sharps drop-off drive. Help keep our community safe by properly disposing of your residential sharps. Please reach out to my office at 815-561-3690 EXT 2 with questions.
Community Outreach
My office recently attended a ribbon cutting at Elston Psychotherapy PLLC in Sterling to celebrate their renovations as they expand their staff. As access to mental healthcare is extremely limited in our region, I am thrilled to hear they are growing and adding staff to reach more members of our community!
Last week, I hosted a Superintendent Roundtable with multiple superintendents from local school districts. We discussed what is working well and what policy changes need to be made to support our schools. Thank you to everyone who attended this productive and informative discussion!
I recently hosted a prescription drug drop-off with the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sterling Police Department. Thanks to everyone who dropped off unwanted or expired medications to make our communities safer!
While I was away in Springfield, my office attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the recent remodel of the Morningside of Sterling. They provide both assisted living and memory care residences for our senior population. Congratulations on this remodel to improve these facilities!
The City of Dixon recently celebrated the Extension of Dixon Path across the Rock River through Page Park. This project has been a dream for our city for a long time. Looking forward for this new path to improve the quality of life in Dixon and to increase safety for students as they go to and from school!
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