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. 

State Representative Kevin Schmidt was sworn into office in 2023 to represent the 114th House District in Illinois. Rep. Schmidt has a mindset of cutting costs, lowering taxes, and lowering the cost of living so families can get ahead, not just get by. He understands the struggles in his district and stays involved in the community by volunteering his time in local organizations and by donating money to local causes. What many people don’t know is Rep. Schmidt has been donating his legislative pay raise to local food pantries across his district.

As the price of everything in Illinois from groceries to utilities seems to be on the rise, a group of House Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to help working families meet these ever-rising costs.

The bills introduced by this group of legislators, collectively known as the Relief for Working Families legislative package, would encourage entrepreneurship, help tipped employees keep all of their gratuities, and create opportunities for technical skill-building that can lead to high-paying jobs.

World Health Day is marked around the world on April 7th which is the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) founding, 77 years ago in 1948. Each year, it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. This year the theme of World Health Day is Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, focused on improving maternal and newborn health and survival.

Illinois House Republicans continue to step up to protect and support the senior community through a series of legislative efforts aimed at enhancing the lives of seniors across the state. Representatives Ryan Spain, Jeff Keicher, Kevin Schmidt and other House Republican legislators have introduced and championed bills that address key issues affecting older adults, from healthcare and housing to financial stability and driver safety.

On Saturday, Representative Kevin Schmidt hosted a free Tire Recycling Event for his constituents at the O’Fallon Township Building where more than 300 tires were collected and will be safely recycled. 

“I was very glad to see my constituents contribute to this event and bring their old tires. Particularly in the rural areas of my district, events like this are very helpful," said Schmidt. "Tires from cars and farm equipment are hard to dispose of and I’m happy to help.”

Recycling tires can help the community in the following ways: 

• Conserves landfill space freeing up room for items that cannot be easily recycled.
• Prevents diseases caused by rodents, insects and other pests taking up residence in old tires.
• Reduces pollution caused by tire fires.

Illinois State Representative Kevin Schmidt has not slowed down since returning full time to the 114th District in June after a long legislative session in Springfield.

Schmidt kicked-off the summer with Mobile Office Hours in Dupo, Freeburg, Lebanon and Millstadt to ensure constituents from throughout the district have easy access to their State Representative. He also hosted shred events in Lebanon and Freeburg and sponsored a blood drive in O’Fallon. 

State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) is supporting legislation aimed at providing support to senior citizens in Illinois. These bills are designed to address the financial challenges that many seniors face, particularly concerning property taxes and healthcare.

Legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Kevin Schmidt passed both chambers unanimously and now heads to the Governor’s desk. The bill, HB 4471 amends the Energy Assistance Act and removes the sunset on the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, which was previously set for January 1, 2025.

The Illinois Children’s Health Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral caucus established to review early childhood development. Members explore evidence-based policies and programs to achieve health equity for children, families, and communities throughout the state.

This caucus consists of a bipartisan group of Illinois legislators from the House and Senate. The caucus is made up of four members, including Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) and Senate Republican Dale Fowler.

Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County is integral to the economic growth and development of southwestern Illinois and the St. Louis metro region. Scott AFB is the largest employer in SW Illinois, and the fourth largest in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Scott AFB boasts an active working force of 13,000, with nearly 50,000 retirees and family members living in a four-state area. 

Manufacturing giant Boeing is expanding its aerospace footprint in St. Clair County, with a 300,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility expected to be completed in early 2024. The facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah will bring up to 300 advanced manufacturing jobs to the Metro East area. Aircraft production is projected to begin in the start of FY ’24, and Boeing is investing $200 million into the project. 

“Boeing’s commitment to bring hundreds of high paying manufacturing jobs to St. Clair County is a huge shot in the arm for our local economy,” stated Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights). “These are the types of investments we continue to work to bring in to our state and the Metro East area.”

Youth apprenticeships provide multiple career pathway opportunities for high school students in Illinois. Students enrolled in these programs have the opportunity to enter the workforce upon graduation, or they could enroll in college and continue their education.

Apprenticeships involve a work-based learning model, commonly referred to as a ‘learn and earn’ model, where on-the-job training is combined with relevant classroom instruction. The apprentice acquires new skills and applies them on the job while under supervision. Upon completion of the program, the apprentice receives an industry-recognized credential. 

The professional licensure system in Illinois is antiquated and outdated, and as a result industry professionals from nurses to barbers to roofers can experience wait periods of three to nine months to begin working. The system, which has a never-ending backlog, has not been upgraded since 1999. Republican lawmakers have fought for the General Assembly to pass needed legislation with funding increases, but the status quo remains. At least 40 different professions require state licensure to work in Illinois, and these lengthy delays leave people out of work and the state leaving taxable income on the table. And in many cases, professionals in seasonal and outdoor industries can miss out on an entire year of income waiting out the current licensing system.