Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) is hosting a Holiday Food Drive again this year. 

All across Illinois, House Republican legislators are hosting drives to collect essentials like food, winter clothing and more for individuals and families in our communities this holiday season. 

In this spirit of giving and supporting neighbors in need, please consider donating to a drive in your area: 

Leader Tony McCombie is hosting a Holiday Blood & Food Drive in Savanna on December 19.

Rep. Kevin Schmidt is hosting a Holiday Food Drive at his district office in Cahokia Heights December 8-10. 

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. 

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. 

When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in February 2021, supporters claimed it would modernize Illinois’ criminal justice system and make incarceration practices more “fair.” The law was rushed through during a lame-duck session and made sweeping changes, putting criminals over victims, imposing unfunded mandates on police officers and counties, and eliminating cash bail.

Two years after the no-cash bail system fully took effect in September 2023, Illinoisans continue to suffer the consequences while criminals walk free. Courts are overwhelmed, police are operating with fewer tools and more unreasonable mandates, all while repeat offenders are cycling in and out of custody. Families are left questioning whether the system is still on their side. Instead of fairness, the law has produced confusion and risk. 

First responders are the backbone of public safety. They are the first ones there when we need them most, working under extreme conditions to save lives, restore order, and provide immediate care. These individuals often work long hours, put themselves in dangerous situations, and deal with high-stress environments to ensure the safety and well-being of others. 

When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in 2021, he hailed it as a landmark step toward equity and accountability in Illinois’ criminal justice system. But nearly four years later, the fallout from this sweeping legislation has left many Illinoisans asking: who is this law really protecting?

The SAFE-T Act—short for Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today—eliminated cash bail statewide through the Pretrial Fairness Act. The law allows dangerous individuals to walk free before trial, undermining public safety and justice for victims.

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.

Improving public safety for everyone in Illinois is a top priority for House Republicans. Unfortunately, the majority party continues to back legislation that puts innocent people at risk while blocking any attempts at needed reforms. In recent years, laws such as the SAFE-T Act and its Pre-Trial Fairness Act provision, which abolished cash bail in Illinois, have allowed dangerous criminals who should have been detained back out on the streets.

The SAFE-T Act, touted by Illinois Democrats as a step toward criminal justice reform, has proven to be anything but safe. House Republicans gathered at the Capitol yesterday to demand urgent changes to the law, citing its disastrous impact on public safety and judicial oversight during the “Illinois’ Broken ‘SAFE-T Act’” press conference. With tragic cases like Megan Bos’ death underscoring the dangers of eliminating cash bail, House Republican lawmakers called for immediate legislative action to fix the broken system.

Every year on May 15, we pause to remember the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers. Peace Officers Memorial Day, part of National Police Week, is a day dedicated to honoring those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, bringing together families, colleagues, and communities to pay tribute to these fallen heroes.

Outraged at the continuing failures and mismanagement at several Illinois agencies, State Representatives Charlie Meier, Jeff Keicher, Patrick Sheehan, and Brad Fritts called on the Governor to take action to protect the state’s most vulnerable.

Reports of abuse, neglect and improper procedure have spurred an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that will be conducting an audit of the State-Operated Developmental Centers (SODC), specifically the Choate, Shapiro, and Mabley Centers, for abuse and neglect.

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.

Every day, across towns and cities, law enforcement officers quietly step into their roles as protectors, peacekeepers, and pillars of safety in our communities. They wear their badges as a commitment to uphold justice and ensure that our neighborhoods remain places where families can thrive. On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we pause to honor these individuals who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Alzheimer's disease affects countless lives, not only for those diagnosed but for families, caregivers, and communities who feel the impact every day. Approximately 250,600 Illinois residents aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s, a number projected to climb to 260,000 by 2025, signaling a need for urgent attention and collective action. For these individuals and their loved ones, Alzheimer’s is a daily reality that reshapes lives, routines, and futures.

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 2024, an estimated $11.6 billion will be spent on Halloween-related goods, with more than 70% of Americans planning to celebrate.

With only six weeks left in the legislative schedule, newly minted State Representative Patrick Sheehan wasted no time getting to work on behalf of his constituents.

In his statement to the press last week, Sheehan said he couldn't wait to hit the ground running for suburban families. And, hit the ground running is exactly what he did.

Sheehan was sworn into office on Friday to fill the vacancy left by the retiring Representative Tim Ozinga and by Monday he was in the State Capitol voting his District's interests on the raucous floor of the Illinois House of Representatives. The whirlwind day included meeting his staff for the first time, moving into his office, hearing testimony in committee, attending a Caucus meeting, listening to floor debate and preparing to do even more on day two.