The State of Illinois has been notorious in recent years for delays in processing applications and renewals for several professionals who require state professional licensing. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees licenses for over 100 professions.

IDFPR is responsible for licensing and regulating more than 1.2 million professionals. These professionals represent a wide breadth of occupations, including medical practitioners, barbers and hair stylists, pharmacists, engineers, architects, geologists, roofing contractors, accountants, and many more.

Labor Day officially became a federal holiday in 1894, and it is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. While Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and was created by the federal labor movement, it also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans and includes a three-day weekend celebrated with parties, parades, and athletic events.

In the late 1800s, many Americans were working 12 hours a day, seven days per week and often in low paying and physically demanding jobs. Young children were working in farms, factories and mines, with often unsafe conditions. With workers and labor unions pushing back against these working conditions, organized strikes and rallies were held and those became more prominent and vocal.

Every year, on the Friday before Labor Day, students, alumni, and fans across the country celebrate College Colors Day, a tradition that began in 2004 thanks to the Collegiate Licensing Company. This year, it falls on Friday, August 29, 2025, and the theme is “Flip the Switch”, encouraging everyone to activate their fan mode and proudly wear the colors of their alma mater or favorite college.

Across Illinois, more than 200 colleges and universities shape the character of their communities, each one steeped in legacy, alive with tradition, and bursting with color. The state’s academic landscape stretches wide: sprawling campuses that fuel innovation, quiet quads that nurture reflection, and every kind of learning environment in between. 

CRIME
The Human Cost of the SAFE-T Act. When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in 2021, he hailed it as a landmark step toward equity and accountability in Illinois’ criminal justice system. But nearly four years later, the fallout from this sweeping legislation has left many Illinoisans asking: who is this law really protecting?

Friday night is reserved for high school football, and from the final Friday in August through Thanksgiving weekend, communities across Illinois celebrate their local teams through the regular season and playoffs. The high school football season provides a snapshot of what tradition means to Illinois cities and towns, and it also encompasses the transition from summer to winter. The football season starts out in sweltering heat in early August across the state, and it finishes in the snow, wind, and cold at the state finals in late November. 

The risk of harm or death from overdose is a struggle that impacts families across Illinois, regardless of zip code, race or background. Synthetic opioids, particularly from fentanyl-laced substances, have been the primary driver of this rise in fatal overdoses. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois experienced 3,261 fatal opioid-related drug overdoses in 2022 and 2,855 in 2023. More telling is that since 2013, fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids have increased by 3,341%.

When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in 2021, he hailed it as a landmark step toward equity and accountability in Illinois’ criminal justice system. But nearly four years later, the fallout from this sweeping legislation has left many Illinoisans asking: who is this law really protecting?

The SAFE-T Act—short for Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today—eliminated cash bail statewide through the Pretrial Fairness Act. The law allows dangerous individuals to walk free before trial, undermining public safety and justice for victims.

Pet ownership in the U.S. continues to rise, with the latest research showing nearly two-thirds of households owning at least one pet. Dogs are the most popular pet in the nation, followed by cats and fish. National Dog Day has been celebrated since 2004 on August 26, with the main focus being awareness of pet adoption and rescue centers.

Many shelters across the country are full, and others are struggling to meet the needs of the animals. In 2024, nearly three million dogs entered shelters and rescues, with two million adopted and over 300,000 euthanized. Welcoming and loving homes are needed across the country to adopt dogs and other animals. Currently, not enough animals are being adopted to significantly reduce the number in shelters nationwide. Please consider adopting a pet, if you are able, in your area. An expanded list of animal shelters in Illinois is available here.

As the price of everything in Illinois from groceries to utilities seems to be on the rise, a group of House Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to help working families meet these ever-rising costs.

The bills introduced by this group of legislators, collectively known as the Relief for Working Families legislative package, would encourage entrepreneurship, help tipped employees keep all of their gratuities, and create opportunities for technical skill-building that can lead to high-paying jobs.

ENERGY COST CRISIS
Soaring summer electric bills in much of Illinois. Many customers throughout Illinois have seen their electric bills double this summer. Monthly Illinois electricity bills carry prices that are partly set by supply constraints. After many Illinois coal-burning electricity generating plants closed down in recent years, utility suppliers were forced to look to generating plants in other states to buy their electricity. The price of electric power that crosses state lines is not, however, set by Illinois law.

While working families across Illinois are tightening their belts, Governor JB Pritzker has made sure one group will not be going without this holiday season: his trial lawyer friends. With the signing of Senate Bill 328, now Public Act 104-0352, the Governor delivered a gift-wrapped windfall to politically connected attorneys at the expense of Illinois businesses, taxpayers, and job seekers.

Older adults contribute immeasurably to our communities in a variety of ways. They raised their families, earned a living whether it be by starting a business or pursuing their dreams in one or more career pathways, coached their kids’ sports teams and volunteered in one or more civic, charitable, or faith-based causes. They donated their time, their income, and their individual talents to lift up and enrich the lives of their neighbors and families. Now, they should be able to afford to enjoy their retirement years in Illinois – close to family and celebrating life’s next milestones in the community they call home.

Illinois House Republicans are working to protect seniors’ financial security, health, and independence. Whether you hail from Chicago, the suburbs, one of our bustling Downstate cities, or beautiful rural Illinois, House Republicans believe state government should make life more affordable for you.

Illinois has small-town charm that can be found in villages across the state, but one village has been a destination for everyone who wants to experience the Amish culture and lifestyle. Arthur is a village in Douglas and Moultrie counties in Illinois and is home to the largest and oldest Amish community in the state. The friendly atmosphere welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and has one motto: "You're a stranger only once." On September 2, 1873, Michael H. Warren entered the plat for the original town that would become Arthur, Illinois. This unique village is a popular destination for anyone seeking traditional Amish lifestyle and customs.

For many Illinois families, the excitement of a new school year comes with a challenge: managing the ever-high cost of back-to-school expenses. From tuition and activity fees to supplies and clothing, the price of getting the kids off to school can add up quickly. Luckily, there are many savvy ways to ease the financial burden, starting with some planning and by taking advantage of a useful Illinois tax credit.

Democrats in Springfield passed a $55.2 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, the largest in Illinois history, this spring. Even though the state took in its largest revenue haul ever, Democrats still raised taxes by nearly $1 billion to fund their tax-and-spend agenda. Those tax hikes added more costs for consumers to cellphones, nicotine products, short-term rentals like Airbnb, and sports betting through apps like DraftKings.

Instead of shoring up funding for long-term programs, Democrats' tax hikes instead helped them fund more pet projects for themselves. So, it should come as no surprise that before the FY 2026 state budget was even signed, and since, Democrats have been proposing all manner of additional tax hikes to fill the gap for core services they have repeatedly failed to adequately fund.

CORRUPTION
Judge denies Madigan’s request to avoid reporting to prison. The convicted former Speaker of the Illinois House Michael J. Madigan has been ordered to report to prison by October 13, 2025, to begin serving a 7.5-year sentence for bribery and conspiracy. After a landmark trial, Madigan, the longtime head of the Illinois Democratic Party was convicted on ten separate counts of federal criminal offenses. Madigan was sentenced in June 2025. After his sentencing, Madigan filed appeals to strike down all his convictions. These appeals have now entered the federal court process.

More than a century before the Massachusetts minutemen took up arms at Lexington and Concord, America had a tradition of citizen-soldiers who were prepared to defend their homes and protect their communities.

Illinois was no different. In the early 1700s Illinois was held by the King of France, who issued a charter in 1718 creating a force of local militiamen to secure trading routes through his colony. Illinois militiamen joined George Rogers Clark in seizing Kaskaskia from the British during the Revolutionary War in 1779.

Photo Credit: Illinois Office of Tourism | Enjoy Illinois

As Illinoisans and visitors from around the country gather in Springfield for the State Fair, supermajority Democrats will take the stage and spotlight on Wednesday. And while Democrats will tout all of their ‘successes’ and rant and rave about the federal government, the smoke screen they create will attempt to hide all of their failures. But those failures continue to mount, and they are being noticed by Illinois families who are tired of bad policies, sky-high taxes, and a struggling economy offering little hope for the future.

The month of August marks the start of the back-to-school season for many families, with over 2.2 million students aged K-12 attending school in Illinois. Approximately 40% of those students take the bus to get to and from school. According to the Illinois State Police, the most dangerous part of the school bus ride is picking up and dropping students off at the bus stop, accounting for most school bus accidents.

Illinois has various laws surrounding school bus safety that applies to all drivers, working to keep students traveling on buses or to bus stops safe.

Illinois families are being asked to dig deeper into their pockets and House Republicans say enough is enough!

This spring, Democrats in Springfield passed a $55.2 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, the largest in Illinois history. To pay for it, they leaned on over $1 billion in new taxes and fund sweeps and paused statutory transfers.

“Tax-and-spend Democrats are thriving in Illinois,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. “But their success is coming at a steep cost to working families who are already stretched to the limit.”

CORRUPTION
Final “ComEd Four” Convict Sentenced to Prison. A federal judge sentenced the last of the “ComEd Four” convicts to a one-year prison sentence this week for his involvement in the Mike Madigan bribery scheme that ensnared multiple lobbyists and politicians.

Longtime ComEd lobbyist and ex-City Club of Chicago head Jay Doherty will serve one year and a day in prison for his crimes. 

Each year on August 7, Americans pause to honor the brave men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Known as Purple Heart Day, this solemn occasion recognizes recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, the nation’s oldest military decoration still awarded.

The origins of the Purple Heart trace back to August 7, 1782, when General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to honor “singularly meritorious action” among enlisted soldiers. Though only three were awarded during the Revolutionary War, the badge laid the foundation for what would become the Purple Heart.

As families across Illinois prepare for the upcoming school year, the rising cost of school supplies is weighing heavily on household budgets. While other states are stepping up to ease the burden through back-to-school sales tax holidays, Illinois families are still waiting for relief.

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) is fighting to change that with her legislation, HB1905, which would create a 7-day sales tax holiday on essential school supplies during the first week of August each year. The bill would provide real savings on items like backpacks, notebooks, calculators, pencils, and more—putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Illinois families.

On Tuesday, August 5, thousands of residents across Illinois from small towns to big cities,are gearing up to participate in National Night Out, a nationwide campaign dedicated to fostering trust between communities and law enforcement. What started as a modest initiative in 1984 has grown into a cornerstone of public safety outreach, with millions of Americans now taking part. The first National Night Out, launched by Matt Peskin and the National Association of Town Watch, encouraged people to turn on porch lights and spend time outside with their neighbors. That simple act has since evolved into coordinated events featuring cookouts, concerts, emergency vehicle tours, and more.

Each year on August 4th, we celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard—one of the nation's five armed services. The Coast Guard is tasked with protecting Illinois' shores, enforcing US maritime law, and responding to accidents and disasters. The maritime service was founded in 1790. The Coast Guard has served on American waterways over two centuries. As we commemorate its founding, we pause to reflect on the courage, discipline, and selflessness of the men and women who serve under its banner.

While Illinois may be far from any ocean coastline, the state still feels the impact of the Coast Guard’s mission. With locations in Chicago, Downer's Grove, Wilmette, Willowbrook, and Waukegan, the Coast Guard monitors and supports boating activity and special events like the Navy Pier fireworks. The Waukegan Air Facility offers quick airborne response to emergencies during peak summer months.

DCFS
Reps. Weber, La Ha, and Reick Demand Accountability Following Repeated DCFS Failures. At a press conference this week, State Representatives Tom Weber, Nicole La Ha, and Steve Reick called for urgent reforms to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Findings from the Illinois Auditor General’s July 2025 compliance report revealed 34 violations at DCFS, 29 of which were repeat failures. Also, the death of 18-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee in a foster home in Fairview Heights has raised serious concerns about accountability within the Department of Children and Family Services. 

At a press conference held today, State Representatives Tom Weber, Nicole La Ha, and Steve Reick called for urgent reforms to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Findings from the Illinois Auditor General’s July 2025 compliance report revealed 34 violations at DCFS, 29 of which were repeat failures. Also, the death of 18-year-old Mackenzi Felmlee in a foster home in Fairview Heights has raised serious concerns about accountability within the Department of Children and Family Services.

Rep. Weber, who chairs the House Republican working group on Sustaining & Protecting At-Risk Kids, said, “This isn’t about funding. It’s about a culture of mismanagement that continues to put children at risk.”

Illinois farmers are no strangers to hard work, long days, and generational commitment. But when it comes to passing on the family farm, they’re facing a tax burden that threatens everything they’ve built. Despite bipartisan calls for reform, Democrats in Springfield have failed to act.

Illinois is one of just 16 states that still levy an estate tax, and its exemption threshold, currently set at $4 million, hasn’t been adjusted for inflation since 2013. That might sound like a lot, but for farmers whose value is tied up in land and equipment, it’s alarmingly easy to cross that line. The result? Families are forced to sell off acreage or assets just to pay the tax bill.

Each summer, the Office of the House Republican Leader sponsors a summer internship program for aspiring high school and college students. Unlike many other summer internships, the House Republican internship includes an education program designed to expose interns to different career opportunities in the General Assembly and government service.

While interns may be assigned to a State Representative’s District Office or a division within the House Republican Caucus, the education program allows them to participate in weekly activities that include presentations and exercises hosted by experts on the House Republican staff. 

The 2025 Illinois State Fair is only one week away, and this year promises plenty of adventure and excitement at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.

This year’s event features a showcase of Illinois agriculture and products, as well as plenty of carnival rides, attractions, concerts and (of course) good food!

The event kicks off on Thursday August 7 with the annual State Fair Twilight Parade through Springfield and into the fairgrounds.

Legislation introduced in the spring session of the General Assembly would overhaul the funding formula for state universities in Illinois.

It would do so to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and would lower grade point average standards.

If passed, Illinois would be the first state to implement a diversity-based funding formula like this one. 

With August just around the corner, almost 2 million students are preparing to move from their homes to a college dorm or apartment, marking a key turning point in their transition to adulthood. With the transition to higher education comes higher costs. Between tuition, living expenses, books and supplies, and the cost of activities, college remains a huge expense for many families and students.

According to a study conducted by College Pulse and GradGuard, 67% of students are covering the cost of college fully on their own, including anything outside of tuition costs. Affordability remains the top barrier for students, and with the majority paying for higher education themselves, budgeting tips for students are essential to cut costs where possible. 

State Representative Nicole La Ha is leading the charge in how communities think about accessibility. Her work is rooted in lived experience as a parent, a neighbor, and someone who’s seen firsthand how hard it can be to navigate public spaces when mobility is limited.

Rep. La Ha’s advocacy is lived. Her daughter was born with cerebral palsy, and that experience reshaped how Rep. La Ha sees the world. She’s navigated the health care system, fought for better equipment, and watched her child face barriers that most families never have to think about.

CORRUPTION
Judge hands 2 years in prison to ex-ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain, calls bribery scheme with Speaker Madigan a ‘criminal alliance’. Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist for utility giant Commonwealth Edison who was also a close confidante of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan, has always insisted that what federal prosecutors claimed was an elaborate scheme to bribe the powerful speaker was nothing more than relationship-building. 

Each year nearly 200,000 servicemen and women leave the United States military and transition back into civilian life. Of those transitioning, 55% of veterans cite employment as one of their most significant hurdles during their transition, according to a study conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Politicians of every party in every state in the union are fond of using some form of the phrase, “budgets are about priorities.”

Where and how we spend our money reflects what is truly important to us.

For more than two centuries, the Illinois state budget has been no different – a reflection of the priorities of a majority of the members of the General Assembly and the Governor.

Improving public safety for everyone in Illinois is a top priority for House Republicans. Unfortunately, the majority party continues to back legislation that puts innocent people at risk while blocking any attempts at needed reforms. In recent years, laws such as the SAFE-T Act and its Pre-Trial Fairness Act provision, which abolished cash bail in Illinois, have allowed dangerous criminals who should have been detained back out on the streets.

Vehicle theft remains a serious concern across the United States, though recent data shows a promising decline. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 850,708 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide in 2024, marking a 17% decrease from the record-setting 1.02 million thefts in 2023. Despite this progress, the financial toll remains steep, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimating that vehicle theft costs Americans more than $8 billion annually.

Illinois House Republicans continue to lead efforts to combat diaper insecurity through community-based donation drives that support families with young children. In 2025, State Representatives Jennifer Sanalitro (R–Hanover Park) and Ryan Spain (R–Peoria) each hosted their respective annual diaper drives, building on years of outreach and growing public awareness of this critical issue.

CORRUPTION
John Hooker, first of ‘ComEd Four’ to be sentenced, gets 1½ years in prison. A former executive for electric utility Commonwealth Edison has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan for jobs and contracts for the Democratic power broker’s political allies.

Shark Week returns here in 2025 with a wave of excitement, education, and conservation, marking the thirty-seventh year of the Discovery Channel's beloved summer programming tradition. Scheduled to run from Sunday, July 20 through Saturday, July 26, Shark Week continues to captivate viewers with its blend of thrilling storytelling, scientific exploration, and eye-opening insights into one of the ocean’s most iconic predators. This year’s theme carries even more cultural weight as it coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the blockbuster film "Jaws," which first debuted in 1975 and has since become a cornerstone in shaping American perceptions of sharks. Shark Week offers something for everyone, especially for Illinois residents who want to dive deeper into shark-themed activities close to home.

Illinois Democrats love to talk about local control—but their actions tell a very different story. In Springfield, they continue to pass down expensive mandates to cities, towns, and school districts, all while starving them of the resources needed to meet those demands.

Whether it’s the unfunded requirements stemming from the SAFE‑T Act, costly zoning preemptions, or education mandates on school districts — the pattern is clear: the state piles on the requirements, then walks away from the bill.

Illinois is more than just the crossroads of America—it is a cornerstone of our nation’s food supply. With more than 2,600 food manufacturers operating throughout the state, Illinois leads the nation in processed food sales, bringing in $180 billion each year. From the rolling fields of grains to the bustling production lines in Chicago, our state transforms raw agricultural goods into the foods families rely on each and every day.

Illinois politics is no stranger to corruption. Considering our state’s history, the past few years have brought an unfortunately unsurprising wave of scandal that shook public trust and exposed blatant abuses of power. From the Capitol Dome to Chicago City Hall, a multitude of indictments and convictions have made one thing clear: Illinois has an ethics problem, and the time for action is now.

Illinois is known for many great things, but one that may not be well known is Illinois’ rank in the wine industry. Illinois is home to two officially recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which are areas known for their wine producing, called wine regions.

A wine region is just as it sounds, an area where the produce used to make wine grows, most notably grapes. Grapes, however, are not versatile and need different geographical and environmental factors to thrive. This is called terroir and contributes to the different taste of the grapes, which then make different tasting wines. For example, a dry wine will require grapes to be picked off the vines early to create a more bitter taste, whereas a sweeter wine will need grapes that are harvested late to achieve sweetness.

PUBLIC CORRUPTION
Federal prosecutors seek nearly 6 years in prison for Madigan confidant Michael McClain. The feds say a man who once had an “unbreakable” bond with former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan should be sentenced to nearly six years in prison, partly for serving as Madigan’s “agent, messenger” and “henchman” in a lengthy conspiracy involving ComEd.

When you think of big-time sporting events, there’s a lot to offer in Illinois. There’s Cardinals/Cubs on a summer weekend at Wrigley Field, Packers/Bears on a crisp fall night at Soldier Field, Cubs/White Sox cross-town rivalry, and Illinois/Michigan or Illinois/Northwestern football in late fall…and the list goes on and on.

Legislation that would impose a $1.50 delivery tax on Illinois businesses did not pass both Chambers from the latest Spring Session. However, the tax hike proposal did pass in the Senate as part of HB 3438. This incredibly burdensome bill contained a LOT of costly proposals, as Democrats searched high and low for ideas to bail out Chicago’s transit funding woes.

Families maintain and grow a number of fruits and vegetables in their own gardens in Illinois, and in many cases they produce more food than what they can consume. Once the harvest is complete, instead of letting this excess food go to waste, families can consider donating their fresh food to a local food pantry.

There are a number of organizations in Illinois that accept food donations, including churches, local food pantries, larger food banks and the Salvation Army. Residents can use search engine tools online to look up donation centers near them, or consult your local health department. Ampleharvest.org is a non-profit organization that makes it easy for gardeners and farmers to find local food pantries to donate their surplus of fresh produce.

One of the great aspects of life in Illinois are the unique County Fairs that are held from June through October all over the state. 

There are over 100 County Fairs in Illinois, all offering wholesome fun for the whole family. The vast majority of county fairs in Illinois are held in the summer months of June, July and August.