Save the Date!
This coming Monday, I will be hosting a Property Tax Appeal Seminar to help homeowners better understand the process of appealing their property tax assessments. Constituents from the 114th District are encouraged to attend the event.
Illinois sanctuary state policies under fire from DHS Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield on Wednesday, where she blasted Illinois’ sanctuary state policy protecting undocumented immigrants. During her visit, Secretary Noem highlighted how sanctuary policies in Illinois have unleashed violence on American citizens — including rape, sexual assault, murder, and more — while shielding the illegal aliens responsible from facing consequences.
State Representative Kevin Schmidt issued this statement:
“Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policies must end now. I Co-Sponsored HB1317 that would repeal the “TRUST Act”. It’s past due to put Illinois families first, and to improve public safety.”
She also rebuked Governor Pritzker for using $1.6 billion in taxpayer money to expand healthcare to those who are here illegally. The State of Illinois provides better healthcare benefits for illegal immigrants than most Illinois families receive.
In addition, the State has spent at least $820 million to address Chicago’s migrant crisis.
In total, over $3 billion has been spent on services for migrants and illegal immigrants, while services for our most vulnerable citizens remain chronically underfunded and underserved. With over half a million illegal immigrants in Illinois, we should be working with the Trump Administration to deport dangerous criminal aliens.
Republicans will continue to fight for legislation and a state budget that prioritizes the needs of Illinois working families and seniors over illegal immigrants.
Police Week | May 11-17
Police Week is a time to recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the nation. This week, we reflect on the courage and challenges faced by police officers each day. Their commitment to community safety deserves our continued respect!
O’Fallon Girl Scouts
O’Fallon Girl Scouts Troop 456 visit the Capitol! Thank you Amber Geiger, for making it a special day for these young Scouts, and also for sharing cookies with us.
I hope you all enjoyed visiting Springfield!
Vincent Gray Academy
I visited Vincent Gray Academy, a school that provides alternative high school education for high-risk young men and women in Metro East St. Louis. Since 1980, over 425 students have received their high school diplomas from Vincent Gray Academy, and it was a privilege to help hand out diplomas last week during another graduation!
Congratulations to all of you for achieving your goals!
School Visits
Millstadt 6th Grade Class, which includes my son Dean! We discussed the rich history of Millstadt and my role as a State Representative. The kids were great listeners and asked me really good questions!
Earlier this week, I was invited to speak to the 8th grade civics class in Millstadt. We discussed how a bill becomes law, filing witness slips, and the importance of protecting our constitution. I enjoyed talking to all the students, and they had great questions for me as I encouraged them to become more involved in community service.
BUDGET
CGFA report points to worsening Illinois budget challenges
April 2025 State of Illinois tax revenues paid to the Department of Revenue (IDOR) came in healthily, with a year-over-year monthly increase of $765 million. However, all of this increase could be attributed to personal income tax payments. This subset of overall Illinois tax cash flow was up $896 million in April 2025 on a year-over-year basis. A “spike” in personal income tax payments in the month of April is usually associated with reconciliation payments made by individual income taxpayers who are filing their annual income tax returns in that month. As part of their filings, they must reconcile their payments with their personal non-paycheck income, such as capital gains. The April 2025 numbers could be a reflection of the strong U.S. stock market performance in calendar year 2024 and capital gains enjoyed by some investors.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) also shared some serious warning flags with Illinois lawmakers. The Commission, which is the General Assembly’s nonpartisan budget watchdog, has the job not only of monitoring current Illinois State tax cash flow, but also projecting the future Illinois budget picture. A warning is coming to Illinois in the form of a sharp drop in federal funds to the State. In April 2025 this second key income source was down by $227 million on a month-over-month basis. On a percentage basis, this was an April 2025 decline of 70.7%. Federal money, which has in the recent past been a major component of our State’s general funds, is experiencing significant decline.
Illinois Energy
The latest Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) report indicates energy prices will increase this Summer. This is going to have a significant impact on families who reside in the 114th District, with many who already struggle to pay their electric bills. We must take action now on preserving affordable energy for all Illinois residents.
Electric bills set to soar again this summer. Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the interstate grid operator that posts prices for peak-load electrical supplies bought by utilities and end-users throughout central and southern Illinois, has reported a massive increase in summer capacity prices.
These are the price levels charged by peak-load electrical generation suppliers that operate and supply electricity online during times of peak summer demand. In some cases, these peak-load electrical supply prices, which electric utilities are legally empowered to pass on to their customers, are 22 times higher than last summer’s prices. These price levels reflect the continued withdrawal of coal-fired and other carbon-based electric generation from the supply picture of the central U.S. states, coupled with improved use of mathematical algorithms by the remaining suppliers to maximize their prices and profits.
The largest utility serving central and southern Illinois, Ameren, warned customers last week that the utility expects to pay approximately 50% more this summer for the electricity it purchases. Ameren expects the overall prices will increase from 8 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) last summer to 12 cents/kWh this summer. After these supply prices are passed on to customers as allowed by law, the average summer 2025 consumer electric bill will be 18% to 22% higher in summer 2025 than during the comparable months of 2024. This price increase will apply to the four-month period beginning June 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2025.
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