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.

In 2012, Jennifer Russell knew there was something seriously wrong with her daughter, Lauryn, and she was determined to make someone listen.

Lauryn, a first grader in northwestern Illinois’ Mercer County, came home from school and got off the bus, but could not go any further.

“She was too fatigued to make it into the house and it seemed as though her legs had stopped working,” Russell later explained.

On Wednesday, three Illinois House Republicans, who also work as family farmers, held a Capitol news conference to highlight legislation they are sponsoring to support Illinois' agriculture industry. Specifically, State Representatives Dan Swanson (R-Alpha), Jason R. Bunting (R-Emington), and Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) have sponsored legislation they say will help save family farms in Illinois.

The pictures are so famous they almost speak for themselves.

A two-day long Grand Review of the Armies in Washington DC in May 1865 to celebrate the northern victory in the Civil War.

General Eisenhower, in an open car with a wide grin and outstretched arms receiving a ticker tape parade through Manhattan following American victory in World War II.

Grain bins, towering symbols of agricultural prosperity, can, under certain conditions, become perilous. Entrapments occur when individuals become submerged in flowing grain, rendering self-rescue nearly impossible. The statistics are sobering: in 2023 alone, at least 27 grain entrapments were reported, resulting in 16 fatalities. Over the past decade, more than 300 such incidents have been documented, with experts estimating that an additional 30% go unreported. Alarmingly, in just four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain, and within 20 seconds, they can be completely engulfed, leading to suffocation.

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.

February 15 at 7 p.m. the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg will be hosting a free showing of the 1989 film Glory; starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman; about the heroes of the 54th Massachusetts during the Civil War. This famous regiment included 12 African Americans from Galesburg who enlisted and fought for freedom.

But the story of these 12 Galesburg heroes goes far beyond a mere movie.

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.

The Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), situated on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, has been a steadfast presence in the Quad Cities for more than 150 years. Originally established in 1862, the Arsenal has grown into a massive hub of manufacturing, logistics, and defense support for the U.S. Army. Today, it’s home to over 6,000 civilian workers, about 250 military personnel, and supports roughly 14,000 jobs through direct and indirect employment. This network impacts a 150-mile radius, and the financial impact is enormous—more than $1 billion each year flows into the local economy as a result of RIA’s operations​.

Earlier this month, Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson was named Illinois' Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Representative of the Year. He received the honors at Joint Opening Session of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Illinois state convention in Springfield.

 

A bill sponsored by State Representative Dan Swanson to better educate drivers about the state’s “Move Over” highway safety law has passed the Illinois House.

“I’m glad the House has joined in taking this important step toward making Illinois motorists more aware of what to do when they see a vehicle stopped on the roadside,” Swanson said. “We have seen far too many crashes, injuries and even deaths that could have been prevented with a little more knowledge.”

December 7, 1941, will be forever known as ‘The Date That Will Live in Infamy’ in the United States. President Franklin Roosevelt uttered those words in response to the heinous and deliberate attack by the Empire of Japan on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack on an early Sunday morning killed 2,403 U.S. service personnel, including 50 servicemen from Illinois. The attack also injured 1,178 people, and included with the deceased were 68 civilians. 

Since the Revolutionary War more than 41 million Americans have served in our Nation’s military. The first Veterans were part of the Continental Army created in 1775 when colonial militias formed a common army under command of George Washington. Since then, the United States has declared war 11 times and fought in conflicts around the world.

For 150 years through five generations, Vaughan and Bushnell Manufacturing Company has been hand-making high-quality hammers and hand tools in Illinois.  Founded in Peoria and now located in Bushnell in McDonough County, Vaughan has been committed to producing hand tools that proudly state, ‘Made in the USA.’ Many of what are now accepted as basic hammer designs, from the distinctive curve of the claw to the set of the handle and the shape of the head, were introduced by Vaughan. 

Missing out on a family wedding or having to reschedule a Christmas dinner is nothing new for Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha), a fifth-generation family farmer in rural Henry County. And whether it’s service to his family farm, service to his community or service to his country, Swanson has always answered the call.

“There’s nothing 8 to 4:30 about farming,” Swanson stated. “There’s something about waking up and smelling the newly turned soil or getting down in there, putting in a long day and coming home to a good pork chop supper that’s something special.”

Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson discusses the new law he co-sponsored creating the Veterans' Accountability Unit in response to the COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans' Home. He also addresses the need for greater awareness of veteran suicide and the new 988 phone number to help Veterans and their families in crisis. 988 becomes operational nationwide in July 2022.

If you are a veterans or know one who is in crisis call 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for help. Learn more:  Veterans' Crisis Line 

Have All Voted Who Wish · Swanson on Veterans' Accountability Unit, veteran suicide

Republican members of the Illinois House Veterans’ Affairs Committee sent a letter demanding the chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee convene a public hearing as soon as possible following recent reports detailing an outbreak of COVID-19 among employees and residents at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home.

“We must quickly investigate how and why a recent outbreak occurred and what steps are being taken by the Pritzker administration to stop the spread of COVID-19 at all State-run veterans’ homes and health care facilities,” said State Rep. Randy Frese, Republican Spokesperson for the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Our veterans now depend on us, and we cannot let them down. We stand ready to get to work to assist in providing the highest quality healthcare for all Illinois veterans.” 

State Reps. Dan Swanson and Dave Swanson describe how the legislature is taking on Lyme Disease, a tick borne disease affecting thousands of Illinoisans.

• Lyme Disease Fact Sheet 
• Lyme Disease, What You Need to Know
• Keep up with House Republican initiatives

Have All Voted Who Wish · Swanson, Severin on combatting Lyme Disease in Illinois

Lauryn Russell is a 13-year-old student from Mercer County in northwestern Illinois who has faced a medical challenge made even more difficult by the laws of her home state. When she was 7 years old, Lauryn contracted Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that is characterized by headaches, fevers, rashes, joint pain and fatigue. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 30,000 Lyme disease cases in the United States each year, but also says that reported cases are likely only a fraction of the true number of cases, which could be as high as 300,000.

In November of last year, Rep. Dan Swanson was successful in overriding the Governor's Amendatory Veto of his legislation to provide more treatment options for those suffering with Lyme disease.

The Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law was inspired by Lauryn Russell, a 12-year-old student from Mercer County, who has Lyme Disease and has had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician for treating Lauryn’s post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease.  Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with advanced or persistent levels of the disease.

Rep. Swanson along with Lauryn and her mother Jennifer Russell led a discussion on the legislation last fall on WRMJ.  Listen to the Interview.