Veterans Day, since November 11th, 1919, has been celebrated annually in the United States as a way to show gratitude to those who have selflessly served in one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces.

The holiday grew out of the commemoration of Armistice Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs says, when fighting between the Allied countries and Germany ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was to have been the end of “the war to end all wars," and is observed annually on Nov. 11, no matter what day of the week that date falls. 

November 10, 2025, marks the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, a day set aside to recognize the strength, bravery, and sacrifice made by countless men and women throughout our nation’s history. For nearly a quarter millennium, the Marine Corps has stood as one of the world’s most elite military forces, ensuring domestic security and global peace. 

This Spring, out-of-touch Democrats were fighting to strip educational freedom, hammer schools with unfunded mandates, and enact woke gender policies in our schools. House Republicans fought to empower parents and families - and stopped some of the nonsense.

Minority spokesperson on the House Education Policy Committee Amy Elik (R-Alton) led the fight against the burdensome Homeschool Act. This act would have mandated an unnecessary annual registration scheme for homeschool families.

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).

Three bills championed by State Representative Brandun Schweizer to benefit veterans passed out of the House and Senate late last week and are now headed to the Governor for his signature.

Senate Bill 1160, originally filed by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit and then transferred to Rep. Schweizer, amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow any resident of Illinois who served in the United Nations Protecting Force in Somalia, Panama, or Grenada to apply for a United National Protection Force license plate.

Starting now and going through late fall, gardens are beginning to reach their peak bloom. Warm weather coupled with busy bees (among other pollinators) are to thank for that.

A pollinator is anything that helps to carry pollen from the stamen to the pistil. While bees, some birds, and butterflies are the most recognized pollinators, they are not the only ones that contribute to the ecosystem. Many different types of insects, like beetles, wasps, and flies, while pesky, play a vital role that affects our daily lives. Some mammals and reptiles, too, help spread pollen, including bats, honey possums, lemures, skinks, geckos, and wall lizards.

State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) passed two measures, HB 1882 and HB 2777, to benefit veterans out of the House. The legislative pieces were originally filed by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Vice Chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, before chief sponsorship was transferred to Rep. Schweizer, also a veteran of the Marine Corps, serving 21 years.

Each year, March 25th marks National Medal of Honor Day in the United States, a time to reflect on extraordinary acts of bravery and selflessness that define the essence of true heroism. It is a day dedicated to the men and women who have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest and most prestigious military decoration. For Illinoisans, this day carries a special weight, as many of the medal's recipients have roots in the Prairie State.

State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) has filed his first bills in the 104th General Assembly, both measures to benefit volunteer first responders.

Rep. Schweizer’s first bill, HB 1353, amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Protection Act to ensure that volunteer first responders are protected when they need to be absent from their full-time jobs due to mandatory training required for volunteer first responders or when they need to be absent to respond to an emergency. The legislation makes four main changes:

When our county needed them, Veterans stepped up answering the call to serve with distinction. Our nation’s Veterans swore a solemn oath to support and defend our Constitution and through their courage, sacrifice and commitment, they defended our freedoms. Veterans have earned our undying gratitude and our ongoing support. Illinois House Republicans believe it is not enough to just honor these heroes on Veterans Day: They deserve our recognition every single day of the year. What’s more, they deserve policymakers who will go the extra mile to ensure Veterans receive the benefits and support they have more than earned.

November 10, 2024 marks the 249th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, a day set aside to recognize the strength, bravery, and sacrifice made by countless men and women throughout our nation’s history. For nearly a quarter millennium, the Marine Corps has stood as one of the world’s most elite military forces, ensuring domestic security and global peace.

The Mahomet Aquifer is a vital source of drinking water for more than half the population in east-central Illinois. Which is why in 2015, the US Environmental Protection agency designated a portion of the Mahomet Aquifer as a "Sole Source Aquifer." That designation provides additional protections for the nearly one million Illinoisans who rely on it for their primary source of drinking water.

A healthcare access bill for diabetic patients, co-sponsored by State Representative Brandun Schweizer, passed through the House and Senate unanimously this Spring and now heads to the Governor, awaiting his signature.

Senate Bill 3414 amends the Illinois Insurance Code and extends access to diabetes glucose monitors and related supplies to all patients, regardless of diabetes type and allows for any physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to prescribe the monitor, where before monitors were only prescribed if deemed medically necessary.

The House Personnel and Pensions committee has unanimously approved State Representative Brandun Schweizer's first bill, which seeks to provide members of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) with more peace of mind when it comes to their healthcare benefits. His legislation will protect TRS enrollees from lapses in healthcare services when the state makes changes to their insurance benefits, like it did in 2022.

In 2022, Medicare-eligible state retirees were summarily informed that Aetna insurance would be the only Medicare option available to them. Moreover the change was effective immediately. This forced many people to switch healthcare providers at a moment's notice when they learned their provider did not accept Aetna. In the rural parts of the state where there is a shortage of healthcare providers, this led to gaps in services for many enrollees while they looked for new providers that would take the insurance. It was of particular of concern to those who learned that Carle Hospital of Urbana did not accept Aetna at the time. Carle has since negotiated a contract with the insurance provider. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Meet our newest legislators. This week the House Republican Caucus welcomed Nicole La Ha and Brandun Schweizer to its ranks. The two new legislators were appointed to fill vacancies created with the retirements of State Representatives Michael Marron and John Egofske.

This week the House Republican Caucus welcomed Nicole La Ha and Brandun Schweizer to its ranks. The two new legislators were appointed to fill vacancies created with the retirements of State Representatives Michael Marron and John Egofske.

On Wednesday, Nicole La Ha took the oath of office to become State Representative of the 82nd District, which includes the communities of Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Willow Springs, Darien, Western Springs, Homer Glen, and Lemont.