As November draws near, Illinoisans are gearing up for the transition back to Standard Time as Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends this weekend. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, at precisely 2 a.m., clocks will be set back one hour. This change signals the official return to Standard Time. This gives an extra hour of sleep for many but also the arrival of earlier sunsets and longer nights. 

Nestled just outside Chicago’s city limits, the Village of Rosemont has quietly transformed into one of Illinois’ most dynamic tourism hubs. With a population of just under 4,000, Rosemont punches far above its weight—drawing millions of visitors annually and generating substantial economic activity for the region.

Rosemont’s proximity to O’Hare International Airport and its direct access to major highways make it a natural magnet for conventions, entertainment, and hospitality. The village’s leadership has capitalized on this strategic location, building out infrastructure that supports large-scale tourism while preserving a strong sense of community. 

Do you know someone who has been the victim of a stroke? The chances are very high, as one in six people worldwide will suffer a stroke during their lifetime. In fact, one in four adults over the age of 25 are victims of a stroke. Strokes are the second-leading cause of death worldwide.

 
On World Stroke Day, it is vitally important to bring awareness to learning the warning signs of a stroke, get immediate help to stroke victims, and also how to prevent strokes from occurring. 

Every year on October 28th, we come together as a nation to recognize and celebrate the brave men and women who stand on the front lines during our most challenging moments. National First Responders Day is a time to honor the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other emergency personnel who respond to calls for help, often risking their own lives to protect and serve their communities. 

On July 4, 2026, our nation will mark a once-in-a-generation milestone: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With just 250 days to go, communities across Illinois and the country are preparing to honor America’s founding principles and the people who have shaped our shared story.

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission—known as America250—is leading the charge with initiatives designed to engage every American. Their expanded “America’s Field Trip” contest is offering students behind-the-scenes experiences at historic sites, museums, and cultural institutions. The goal: inspire the next generation to connect with our nation’s history in meaningful ways. 

VETO SESSION
It’s a Spooky Season for Spending in Illinois. Last month, Governor JB Pritzker issued an Executive Order calling for 4% across-the-board budget cuts in response to projected deficit spending. But let’s be clear, he didn’t need an Executive Order to balance Illinois’ budget. What he needed was the discipline to do his job.

Pritzker’s directive required state agencies to submit plans for spending cuts and reserve management within 30 days. Today, the time is up and no such cuts have been announced. While the Governor has pointed to the federal government as a source of Illinois’ budget challenges, the State’s fiscal woes are far from new. 

October 26th marks National Pumpkin Day, a time celebrate one of fall’s most iconic symbols. Pumpkins play a big role in our autumn traditions and are part of many delicious recipes. Whether you’re eating pumpkin pie or carving a jack-o-lantern, there’s a lot of ways to celebrate National Pumpkin Day! And when it comes to pumpkins, Illinois is at the heart of it all. 

Our hearts break for Darren and Cindy Bailey. The unimaginable loss of their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren is devastating beyond words. We lift their family in prayer and ask for comfort, strength, and peace for all who loved them.

- Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie

Property taxes are high in Illinois, and failing policies championed by Democrats continue to make the situation worse. In fact, depending on the metric or the source that is cited, Illinois residents pay the highest or second-highest property tax rate in the nation. There are plenty of horror stories out there, including in the south and southwest suburbs in Cook County. Residents in these areas are dealing with exorbitant and devastating property tax increases year after year. 

For centuries, Halloween has been celebrated around the world by children and adults alike. While the reason for celebration has gradually changed since the first Celtic festivals, October 31st has long been recognized as a day for communities to come together to enjoy spooky fun. Today, Halloween remains one of the most popular holidays in the United States and is often spent visiting haunted houses, carving pumpkins, and trick-or-treating. In 2025, an estimated $13.1 billion will be spent on Halloween-related goods (a new record), with more than 70% of Americans planning to celebrate. 

As the fall season continues, Illinois families are in for a scare. Not one from ghosts and goblins, but from a revived parade of Democrat tax hikes that are expected during veto session. These frightening tax hikes will hit Illinois families the hardest as Democrats work to fill in budget gaps created by their own overspending.

In fact, taxpayers are already feeling the effects of Springfield’s fiscal recklessness. Earlier this year, Democrats rammed through nearly $1 billion in new taxes on a variety of things, such as sports betting, hotel and short-term rentals, cell phones, tobacco, and more. 

This October 20-24, we’re recognizing National School Bus Safety Week, a time to shine a spotlight on school bus safety and the role each of us plays in protecting children as they travel to and from school.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers everywhere to take school bus safety seriously and be vigilant around buses. Even though school buses are designed to be one of the safest modes of transportation, far too many tragedies happen when drivers disregard the stop signs, ignore the flashing red lights, and fail to slow down. 

CORRUPTION
Convicted ex-Speaker Micheal J. Madigan begins his 7½-year federal prison sentence. The longtime head of the Illinois Democratic Party reported on Monday to FPC Morgantown, a minimum-security federal prison camp in northern West Virginia, to begin his 7.5-year federal prison sentence for bribery and racketeering charges. 

The “White Squirrels of Olney” in southern Illinois are a population of albino Eastern gray squirrels that have become a local mascot for the community. A rare occurrence for this species, these unique squirrels, characterized by their white fur and pink eyes, are considered a tourist attraction and are protected by town ordinances, which grant them the right-of-way on public streets. The town's identity is strongly tied to its white squirrel population, which can be seen in the city's logo, statues, and local shops (Welcome to the city of Olney, IL). 

Each October 15, we come together to observe National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. For many, it’s a day to honor the lives of children who were lost far too soon, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. For others, it’s a time to show support, lending a voice to the silent grief that countless families experience. It’s a day that reminds us that while these losses are common, the journey through them is unique and deeply personal. 

The story of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day began with an awareness movement in the United States. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan officially designated October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. His proclamation looked to shine a light on the experiences of families who had suffered the heartbreak of losing a baby during pregnancy or infancy, and also the silent grief that follows these losses. 

Illinois electricity customers were hit with sticker shock this summer when an extended stretch of 90–100-degree heat and high humidity drove up energy demand and strained the grid.

Illinois’ electricity grid is managed through a multi-layered system involving several key organizations — each responsible for different aspects of generation, transmission, regulation, and distribution. 

Initially a day to remember when the explorer Christopher Columbus landed in the New World on October 12, 1492, the Columbus Day holiday has since evolved into celebrating Italian-American heritage.

The first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792, when New York’s Columbian Order—better known as Tammany Hall—held an event to commemorate the historic landing’s 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor. 

The United States Navy celebrates its historic 250th birthday this year. In commemoration, activities and events have been held across the country, including on the East Coast in Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey. President Trump marked the celebration with a rally in front of 10,000 sailors in Virginia last week.

The Navy dates back to October 13, 1775, with action taken by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Congress approved supplying General George Washington with an armed schooner and sloop to seize British supplies. Other vessels were sent to patrol key ports to intercept British transports. These armed actions in the final months of 1775 established the U.S. Navy during the early days of the Revolutionary War. 

October 12 in National Farmer's Day! Illinois and the larger Midwest region provide the food that feeds not just the rest of the nation, but much of the world. Today, with innovations such as ethanol and soy biodiesel, Illinois farms are also key players in the 21st century energy economy. Through its many forms: farming, manufacturing, retailing and trading, agriculture has been the backbone of Illinois’ economy for over 200 years. But it was a long road to get here, one built by the hard work of generations of Illinois family farmers and Illinois-based agribusiness companies. 

VETO SESSION
Veto Session Begins Next Week. On October 14, 2025, the Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield after the summer adjournment period comes to an end.

The annual Veto Session, for decades, was used by lawmakers to consider voting to override vetoes leveled by the governor on bills that were passed during the previous spring Session. In recent years, the Veto Session has been used by Democrats to ram through tax increases, erode Second Amendment Rights, and pass new legislation unrelated to veto action. Governor Pritzker has vetoed very few bills in recent years, as Democrats hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and rarely pass legislation that would see the governor exercise his veto authority. 

On October 14, 2025, the Illinois General Assembly returns to Springfield after the summer adjournment period comes to an end.

The annual Veto Session, for decades, was used by lawmakers to consider voting to override vetoes leveled by the governor on bills that were passed during the previous spring Session. In recent years, the Veto Session has been used by Democrats to ram through tax increases, erode Second Amendment Rights, and pass new legislation unrelated to veto action. Governor Pritzker has vetoed very few bills in recent years, as Democrats hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and rarely pass legislation that would see the governor exercise his veto authority. 

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to toast the season than with a pint of pumpkin-flavored beer. Illinois, home to a thriving craft beer scene, offers a delicious array of autumn-inspired brews that celebrate the cozy, spicy essence of fall. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or just looking for something festive to sip, these local pumpkin beers are worth seeking out. 

Education is the single greatest lever we have for hope. But in Illinois today, families who want a better fit for their children’s schooling face needless barriers. A new federal law has handed us a chance to expand educational opportunities in Illinois, if Governor Pritzker has the courage to act.

In 2025, Congress passed what’s formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). Within that bill is the Educational Choice for Children provision, a federal tax credit allowing individuals to receive a dollar-for-dollar credit (up to $1,700) on their federal taxes when they donate to state-approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Those SGOs in turn can allocate scholarship funds for qualifying education expenses: tuition, fees, tutoring, special needs services, books, transportation, technology, and more. 

It has been two long years since Hamas militants initiated a deadly surprise attack in Israel. On October 7, 2023, entire families were slaughtered in their homes, and Hamas militants took more than 250 people as hostages, 10 of whom were Americans. Hamas terrorists staged a mass slaughter of soldiers and civilians in at least 22 Israeli villages, towns, and military outposts. The initial death toll was around 1,200, including over 800 civilians and more than 40 Americans. 

Each October, we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness about this disease that affects millions of individuals and families across the nation. In Illinois alone, approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. This statistic shows the urgent need for education, early detection, and support for those affected.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and while survival rates have improved significantly over the past few decades, early detection remains crucial. The American Cancer Society reports that when detected early, the five-year survival rate is about 99%. This is why regular screenings, such as mammograms, which can detect cancer before symptoms appear, are highly recommended. 

VETO SESSION
2025 Fall Veto Session Preview. In a couple of weeks, the Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield to convene for the annual two-week Veto Session. The session is scheduled for October 14-16 and October 28-30. The Veto Session is generally intended for the legislature to review legislation passed in the spring that has received a total veto or an amendatory veto from the Governor. The legislature can seek to override a Governor’s veto by a 3/5 majority vote in each chamber or vote to accept an amendatory veto. 

As manufacturing jobs are vanishing across Illinois, two Metro East leaders are fighting back. State Representative Amy Elik and State Senator Erica Harriss are fighting to keep Granite City Works alive.

Granite City, Illinois is a proud blue-collar steel town. Just 10 miles east of St. Louis, the town’s steel history dates back to the 19th century. The steel mill began operations in 1895 under the name Granite City Steel, and has served as the heartbeat of the entire city for over a century. When U.S. Steel acquired the plant in 1927, it cemented itself in America’s industrial history. 

A few weeks ago Illinois played host to the Pumpkin Party of the Century.

That was the theme of the 59th annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, the Tazewell County town’s celebration of the area’s prime agricultural product. The event had a special significance this year as it marked the 100th anniversary of the community’s Nestle Libby’s pumpkin canning plant.

“Being born and raised in Morton, I can tell you we are very proud of our pumpkin heritage,” said State Representative Bill Hauter who represents Morton and the surrounding area. “Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois generally and in my district specifically, with pumpkin production playing a huge role. We are proud to be the pumpkin capital of the world!”