As the brisk cold of winter begins to fade, Illinoisans statewide know that spring is just around the corner. Though perfect weather is far from guaranteed with the arrival of spring, March 20 is more than just a date on the calendar; it marks a turn that symbolizes transformation, new life, and fun to be had on the horizon here in the Land of Lincoln.

Legislation being brought forward in the Illinois House to add new regulations and mandates on Illinois homeschooling families has drawn the opposition of tens of thousands of residents. The measure, HB2827, requires parents to meet certain educational qualifications, notify school districts when homeschooling begins, and provide evidence of teaching materials if concerns arise. It also extends registration requirements to private schools.

In the pre-dawn hours of April 19, 1775, a column of British soldiers on their way to seize a colonial weapons depot in Concord, Massachusetts, were surprised by a small group of militiamen blocking their path.

The colonials had been alerted throughout the nighttime hours by the famed midnight ride of Paul Revere and his associate William Dawes (great-great-grandfather of Illinoisan Charles Dawes who was sworn in as Vice President of the United States one hundred years ago this month). They had gathered on the town green of Lexington, placing them between the advancing redcoats and their objective at Concord.

Every year, National Agriculture Day reminds us of the crucial role agriculture plays in our daily lives. From the food on our plates to the clothes we wear, agriculture is the foundation of modern society. This year, as we celebrate National Ag Day on March 18, let’s take a closer look at the significance of agriculture, with a special focus on Illinois, a leader in agricultural production.

St. Patrick’s (Paddy’s) Day, or the Feast of St. Patrick, is celebrated in Ireland and other countries to honor the live of St. Patrick, an Irish patron saint, who is most known for bringing Christianity to Ireland, establishing many churches, and using of the shamrock. The holiday being celebrated on March 17th is to commemorate the death of St. Patrick, dating back to A.D. 493.

CRIMINAL LAW
House Republicans Working to Restore Public Safety. House Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Capitol on March 12, 2025, to discuss the dire state of public safety in Illinois and present their pathway forward, aiming to deliver a state where families can succeed.

As the Democratic majority continues to prioritize criminal justice reforms at the expense of public safety, House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst, Assistant Minority Leader John Cabello, and State Representative Dennis Tipsword spoke about the reality Illinois families face across the state.

Illinois House Republican lawmakers unveiled their legislative bill package to deliver property tax relief to residents across the state. Assistant Minority Leader Dan Ugaste (Geneva) and State Representatives Joe Sosnowski (Rockford) and Tom Weber (Fox Lake) discussed the impact that high property taxes have had on Illinois, and the Democratic majority’s inaction and refusal to provide relief.

March 14th marks Pi Day, a celebration rooted in math and science. Pi, π, is the ratio of circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle and the 16th letter in the Greek Alphabet. The math constant was first discovered almost 4,000 years ago and is a crucial part to multiple facets of math and science topics. To date, more than 100 trillion digits of pi are known and the number is nowhere near complete, as it is irrational and never ending.

National K-9 Veterans Day, observed annually on March 13, is a tribute to the service and sacrifices of military and working dogs throughout history. These remarkable canines have played irreplaceable roles in safeguarding lives, detecting threats, and providing unwavering companionship to their handlers. The day also serves as a reminder of the deep bond between humans and their four-legged partners, a relationship built on trust, loyalty, and mutual respect.

House Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Capitol on March 12, 2025, to discuss the dire state of public safety in Illinois and present their pathway forward, aiming to deliver a state where families can succeed.

In 1911, following a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the youth scouting movement, in London, Juliette Gordon Low, commonly known by her nickname “Daisy,” felt called to start an organization that would bring girls together through community service, spending time in nature, and developing new skills. A year later on March 12, Daisy founded a group of 18 young women called the Girls Guides of America, an organization we now know as the Girl Scouts.

Illinois has a deep-rooted history in apple growing, a tradition that stretches back to the early days of settlement. The rich soil and favorable climate of the state have allowed orchards to thrive, making apples not just a staple of Illinois agriculture but also a cherished part of its culture.

It is no secret that Democrats hold a supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly. For years they’ve been wielding their power with abandon and at great expense to Illinoisans’ right to participate in the legislative process. The Democrats in charge have been suppressing the rights of Illinoisans to weigh in on public policy through a number of strategic moves designed to keep the public in the dark and stifle their viewpoints, especially if those viewpoints run counter to those of the supermajority.

REDISTRICTING
McCombie Gives Update: Illinois Supreme Court Moves Fair Map Lawsuit Forward. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie filed a brief with the Illinois Supreme Court last week to further argue the case for fair maps in the State of Illinois. This week, Leader McCombie joined Deputy Minority Leader Ryan Spain and Assistant Minority Leader Dan Ugaste to discuss the latest litigation update, and released the following statement:

With winter coming to a close, it is time to get ready to spring forward back to Daylight Saving Time this weekend. On Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 a.m., clocks should be adjusted one hour forward. For some, this means losing an hour of rest, but for others, means later sunsets and longer days, with sunset taking place around 7:11 p.m. following the time change.

With the former home of a young Abraham Lincoln in disrepair, Illinois lawmakers are joining with local advocates to put forward a package of legislation designed to revitalize the New Salem State Historic Site.

“New Salem is a powerful reminder of President Lincoln’s political beginning, and people travel to the site from around the world to learn more about the man who became our nation’s greatest president,” said State Senator Steve McClure. “The legislation aims to restore the site’s structures and its reputation, while creating a path forward for New Salem that preserves its place in Lincoln’s legacy for generations to come. I thank the Lincoln League for partnering with me on our shared vision to Save Lincoln’s New Salem.”

The definitive guide to the biographies of Illinois’ chief executives, The Illinois Governors: Mostly Good and Competent, describes the state’s 38th Governor, Jim Edgar, as “the right governor at the right time.”

Edgar, who served two terms between 1991 and 1999, held the office between the flashy, big-spending days of his predecessor and the scandal-tarred administrations of his two successors. Edgar was, according to the book’s authors, Robert P. Howard, Taylor Pensoneau and Peggy Boyer Long, “comparatively dull, yet popular throughout his two terms.”

Chicago and other areas of the Midwest celebrate a delicious Polish tradition every year known as “Paczki Day.” This day-before-Lent celebration occurs on what is commonly known as “Fat Tuesday” during Mardi Gras.

In Poland, paczki are traditionally made on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. However, many Polish Americans now combine the celebrations with Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday. If you are wondering what a paczki is, one Chicago baker sums it up succinctly – “essentially a cream-filled donut, but on steroids.” 

Throughout the United States’ storied history, many iconic symbols serve as incredible reminders of our nation’s past, though few represent its unbreakable spirit quite as profoundly as the national anthem, titled “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The time-tested tune encapsulates not only its fortitude in battle, but its core values of freedom and bravery. 

Casimir Pulaski Day was officially designated as a statewide observance in Chicago and Illinois in 1986. It is observed each year on the first Monday in March in recognition of Pulaski’s March 6 birthday. Pulaski, a Polish-born hero of the American Revolution, was killed in battle during the ‘Siege of Savannah’ in 1779. 

Our children deserve the brightest future and best opportunities for success we can provide for them, and two of the fundamental assets of their early education must include teaching them to read and write. Students who struggle with literacy can fall behind their peers quickly, and the consequences are compounded as they get older. The importance of literacy is not lost on House Republicans, who believe an important goal in Illinois should be for every child to read and write at their grade level or higher.

Women's History Month has been an annual celebration in the United States since 1987, but its roots go back to a weeklong event in Sonoma, California, in 1978. The celebration was expanded to a month-long observance by Congress in 1987, to recognize the often-overlooked achievements of women throughout history.

Here in Illinois, we're proud to have several women stepping up to represent their communities in the House Republicans. These women bring a wealth of diverse experiences and a shared commitment to public service. They've made significant strides in healthcare, education, and economic development, showing us all what dedicated leadership looks like. Their hard work and advocacy have opened doors for future generations of women leaders.