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.