During an appearance this week on the Mike Nellis podcast, Governor Pritzker attempted to paint himself as an opponent of gerrymandering and a champion for lowering costs. But Illinois families know better, and his record tells the real story.

After promising to return to Springfield to work for their districts and address affordability, House Democrats spent the first week of session doing anything but.

On the opening day of session, Democrats were in the chamber for less than 30 minutes. The following day was consumed almost entirely by politically motivated resolutions attacking federal law enforcement, resolutions that did nothing to lower costs for Illinois families, or address the affordability crisis Democrats themselves created. 

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.

Since taking office in 2019, Governor JB Pritzker has drastically expanded rights and benefits for illegal immigrants, while ignoring Illinoisans in the process. During his tenure, he has allowed non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses, strengthened the TRUST Act (Illinois’ sanctuary state law), allowed undocumented children to have access to a free public education, offered healthcare benefits and free housing to those here illegally, required state agencies to expand their services to include non-citizens, and other high-cost projects that divert resources from Illinoisans. 

A recent Chicago Tribune op-ed penned by Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) calls out the unsustainable growth of Illinois government and the lack of transparency in the state’s budget process. Here is an excerpt:

Later this week, the General Assembly is expected to pass a new state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Illinois House Republican lawmakers gathered at the Capitol today to show their support for law-abiding gun owners. State Representatives Charlie Meier (Okawville), Regan Deering (Decatur), and Patrick Windhorst (Metropolis) spoke on the importance of preserving their Constitutional Right to Bear Arms.

State Representative and House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) serves as the House Republican ranking member on the House Judiciary Criminal Law and Gun Violence Prevention Committees. The 117th District State Representative says policies passed by Illinois Democrats have harmed the rights of law-abiding citizens to practice their Constitutional Rights.

U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] offices would move from Washington, D.C. to Central Illinois under a long shot proposal from a lawmaker who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal.

Republican state Rep. Regan Deering of Decatur said the move would provide a big economic boost to the region and improve coordination between farmers and agribusiness leaders.

Illinois House Republican lawmakers gathered in the Capitol today to present legislation protecting women’s sports. In light of a recent Executive Order handed down by President Donald Trump, which prohibits biological men from competing against biological women in sports, House Republicans have continued to work to protect women and have filed legislation to provide those needed protections.

Women's History Month has been an annual celebration in the United States since 1987, but its roots go back to a weeklong event in Sonoma, California, in 1978. The celebration was expanded to a month-long observance by Congress in 1987, to recognize the often-overlooked achievements of women throughout history.

Here in Illinois, we're proud to have several women stepping up to represent their communities in the House Republicans. These women bring a wealth of diverse experiences and a shared commitment to public service. They've made significant strides in healthcare, education, and economic development, showing us all what dedicated leadership looks like. Their hard work and advocacy have opened doors for future generations of women leaders.

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislators a little better.

 ________________________________________________________

Here are three things you didn't know about Illinois State Representative Regan Deering:

1. Degree in Marine Biology
From a young age, Rep. Regan Deering has loved the water. While pursing her degree, she had the opportunity to experience a summer on the island of South Caicos, where she studied environmental science. With a degree in marine biology, she has held some interesting jobs, including working at both The Columbus Zoo and Shedd Aquarium.

2. Science Teacher
As an elementary school science teacher, Rep. Deering has long encouraged young people to explore the sciences in hopes of developing future leaders in the science and technology industries. She is also passionate about agricultural education and the role that it plays here in Illinois. Rep. Deering supports programs like Ag in the Classroom, which is a hands-on agricultural education program that allows students to increase their agricultural literacy.

3. Dog Lover

Rep. Deering loves dogs! Her family has an affinity for the golden retriever breed. She had the honor of serving alongside her late dog J.J. as comfort therapy team with a local organization, Pawprint Ministries. Their mission is sharing the love of Jesus using trained and registered comfort dogs with individuals in health care facilities, schools, senior homes, and during times of crisis.

 

 

January 8th is an exciting day for Illinois as the state’s 104th General Assembly is sworn in. It’s a celebration of public service and the beginning of new chapters in the lives of Illinoisans and their leaders. This year, two new Republican representatives, Regan Deering and Kyle Moore, join the ranks of lawmakers working to shape the future of the state. They will serve under the leadership of House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. As they step into their new roles, they bring fresh energy, unique experiences, and a commitment to serve their communities.