Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

February 26, 2021 at 9:33 PM

Update from Senator Bailey: February 26

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Gov. Pritzker signs legislation transforming Illinois' criminal justice system On Monday, Gov. Pritzker signed House Bill 3653, the controversial criminal justice reform bill that was passed in the extremely early hours of the lame-duck session, d…

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  Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

February 19, 2021 at 9:01 PM

Update from Senator Bailey: February 19

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT   Pritzker Relies on Budget Gimmicks and Back Door Tax Hikes on Businesses to Fund FY22 Budget On Wednesday, Gov. Pritzker presented his Fiscal Year 2022 budget blueprint in a pre-recorded speech delivered from a new vaccine clinic at the Illinoi…

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  Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

February 16, 2021 at 4:48 PM

Update from Senator Bailey: February 12

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Senate Committees Address COVID-19 Concerns The Senate’s regularly scheduled legislative session was canceled this week, but Senators continued their work remotely. The Senate’s Labor, Commerce, and Health committees met to discuss a variety of is…

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  Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

February 8, 2021 at 9:31 PM

Update from Senator Bailey: February 8

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Controversial Criminal Justice Reform Bill Sent to Governor The controversial and divisive criminal justice reform bill, HB3653, is now on Pritzker’s desk awaiting his signature. The legislation, promoted by supporters as a reform measure, makes …

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  Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

February 1, 2021 at 8:12 PM

Update from Senator Bailey: February 1

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Bailey Pushes for Improvements in Vaccination Program State Senator Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) is calling out issues with the state’s vaccine program for failing to make satisfactory progress with residents of skilled-care facilities and nursing ho…

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  Senator Darren Bailey · [email protected]

January 27, 2021 at 1:26 AM

Update from Senator Bailey: January 26

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Illinois lawmakers are back at work in their districts after the rapid-fire lame-duck session that wrapped up the previous week. Numerous controversial bills were rushed through at all hours of the day and night during the last-minute legislative push…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

December 23, 2020 at 3:47 PM

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT   Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and your family! After a year filled with uncertainty and hardships, I hope you find joy and happiness this holiday season.  Please remember that a new year can bring new beginnings and hopefully a…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

December 21, 2020 at 3:12 PM

Week-in-review: Governor bounces budget check, passes the blame

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Governor bounces budget check, passes the blame   On December 15, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered approximately $700 million in budget cuts. Governor Pritzker argued that the reductions were necessary, citing the need to compensate for a…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

December 14, 2020 at 5:22 PM

Week-in-Review: Minimum Wage Set to Increase Jan. 1

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Minimum Wage Set to Increase Jan. 1 Illinois’ minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour with the start of the New Year – the third in a series of incremental steps that will bring the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. The first increase to …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

December 5, 2020 at 10:46 PM

Week-in-Review: Stay Safe Putting Up Holiday Decorations

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Stay Safe Putting Up Holiday Decorations Now that Thanksgiving has passed, many families are getting ready for the coming holiday seasons and putting up their annual decorations. But as you’re hanging up your lights or festive displays, please b…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

November 25, 2020 at 2:56 PM

Thanksgiving Day Message

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friends, With the holiday season fast approaching, I want to take this time to wish everyone in the 55th Senate District a very happy holiday! During this time each year, we are reminded to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings in…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

November 6, 2020 at 10:36 PM

Proposed Graduated Income Tax Amendment rejected by Illinois voters

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Proposed Graduated Income Tax Amendment rejected by Illinois voters After Illinois voters cast their ballots to reject the controversial graduated income tax amendment proposed by Democrat lawmakers last year, Senate Republicans are asking that…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

October 30, 2020 at 7:32 PM

IHSA pushes ahead with winter sports

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT IHSA pushes ahead with winter sports   The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) decided on Oct. 28 to move forward with winter basketball season despite guidelines issued from the Pritzker Administration and the Illinois Department of Public…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

October 23, 2020 at 4:50 PM

Update: Mitigations place​d on Region 5

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Mitigations place​d on Region 5  On October 19, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health placed new regional restrictions on Region 5 beginning Thursday, October 22. According to a news release from Illinois…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

October 16, 2020 at 3:10 PM

Demand Anti-Corruption Reform NOW!

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Demand Anti-Corruption Reform NOW! As the Fall Veto Session approaches, I need your help to put pressure on the Democrats to take up anti-corruption reform. In the last year, four Illinois democrat legislators have been indicted on charges rang…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

October 9, 2020 at 6:39 PM

Madigan Hearings Postponed Until After Election

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Madigan Hearings Postponed Until After Election Earlier this week, the appointed democratic chairman of the Illinois House Committee tasked with investigating allegations of wrongdoing involving House Speaker Michael Madigan announced that pane…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

October 2, 2020 at 7:14 PM

Righter Files Anti-Corruption Legislation

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Righter Files Anti-Corruption Legislation In response to the continued issues of corruption and ethics violations by lawmakers, State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) is sponsoring a package of bills seeking to root out government corruption am…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

September 14, 2020 at 1:42 PM

Week-in-Review: Upcoming Youth Firearm Deer Season, How to Vote by Mail and more...

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Upcoming Youth Firearm Deer Season The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing information about the upcoming Youth Firearm Deer Season taking place in a matter of weeks. From October 10 to October 12, the Youth Firearm Deer Season …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

August 28, 2020 at 7:54 PM

2020 Census deadline approaches

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT 2020 Census deadline approaches If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census, you have until September 30 to do so. Mandated by the United States Constitution, the census is a count of the United States population that takes place every ten year…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

August 21, 2020 at 6:39 PM

Sen. Righter named Champion of Free Enterprise by Illinois Chamber of Commerce

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Sen. Righter named Champion of Free Enterprise by Illinois Chamber of Commerce Illinois State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who ha…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

August 11, 2020 at 9:32 PM

Boat Access Area Development Program accepting applications

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Boat Access Area Development Program accepting applications   The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently announced they are accepting applications as part of their Boat Access Area Development (BAAD) grant program. According …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

July 17, 2020 at 8:02 PM

New COVID-19 mitigation plan, regions announced

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT New COVID-19 mitigation plan, regions announced On July 15 a new COVID-19 mitigation plan, metrics and revised regions for monitoring the pandemic’s impact on Illinois was put forward.  Metrics and Mitigation The following metrics will be used …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

July 3, 2020 at 2:37 PM

4th of July Updates

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT IDOT suspends some construction for July 4 The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently announced changes to construction operations across the state for the 4th of July holiday weekend.   IDOT has announced that lanes previously c…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

June 11, 2020 at 8:35 PM

Senate Republicans issue letter urging revisions to Restore Illinois Plan

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Yesterday, I joined with my Senate Republican colleagues to send a letter urging the Governor to revise his Restore Illinois Plan and allow Illinois to move forward into Phase 4. In our letter, we asked that the Governor revise his reopening pl…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

June 5, 2020 at 3:55 PM

Righter: Let the Message Be Heard

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT In recent days since the incident in Minneapolis that led to the death of George Floyd, the nation has witnessed a series of protests and riots across the country. And while the investigation into Mr. Floyd's death and the criminal proceeding ag…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

May 20, 2020 at 2:47 PM

Righter Opposes Emergency Rules Filed by Pritzker Administration

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Today, I join with my fellow colleagues in opposition to the Governor's filing of emergency provisions that would charge business owners with a Class A misdemeanor for violating the stay-at-home order. These are hardworking men and women who ar…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

May 15, 2020 at 3:42 PM

Righter Calls for Public Hearings on COVID Plan

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT As lawmaker prepare to return to the Capitol for a special session beginning May 20, I’m calling on the Senate President and Speaker of the House to schedule legislative hearings on the Governor's highly controversial reopening plan. The public …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

May 13, 2020 at 4:27 PM

Sign the Petition: Bring the General Assembly Back to Springfield

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Right now, the people of Illinois are facing never-before-seen challenges as the result of an unprecedented health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home order have had a significant impact on virtually every aspect of the…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

May 7, 2020 at 6:20 PM

Righter's Statement on Governor's Restore Illinois Plan

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, On May 5, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his five-step, phase-in plan to reopen the state of Illinois. I issued the following statement in response to the proposal:  "While I can recognize the value of finally having a plan to begin …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

May 1, 2020 at 5:27 PM

Call to state leaders: lawmakers should return to the Capitol

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT This week, I urged Governor J.B. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, and House Speaker Michael Madigan to bring lawmakers back to Springfield to address critical issues facing the state of Illinois.   The COVID-19 health situation has taken …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 24, 2020 at 6:15 PM

Stay-at-home order extended: One-size-fits-all approach is not the solution

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, On April 23, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a modified extension of his stay-at-home order. While he did include some minor modifications to his original order, the Governor has yet to announce any plans for a regional r…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 14, 2020 at 2:12 PM

Small business owners and self-proprietors need access to unemployment benefits now

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Friends,  Under the recently signed federal stimulus law, small business owners and self-proprietors not typically eligible for unemployment benefits are now eligible to receive those benefits. In accordance with that law, states must modify th…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 10, 2020 at 4:24 PM

Update on FOID and CCL regulations

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Friends,  I want to share an update from the Illinois State Police regarding temporary rule changes impacting firearm owner’s identification cardholders (FOID) and concealed carry licenses (CCL). Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, law-abiding g…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 7, 2020 at 3:41 PM

Sen. Righter encourages small business participation in upcoming Small Business Webinar

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Friends, As Illinois’ small business community continues to confront the daily consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I want to make our local business community aware of an upcoming informational opportunity.    On Monday, April 13 the…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 6, 2020 at 5:43 PM

COVID-19 Resource Page

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Friends, With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases growing daily, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has extended the state’s disaster proclamation through the month of April.  As many constituents continue to navigate these unprecedented time…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

April 3, 2020 at 6:28 PM

IDES Announces New Procedures for filing Unemployment benefits

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, This week, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the extension of his ongoing "stay-at-home" order amid the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. As part of the state-wide order, many businesses have been forced to temporarily shut down and ma…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 30, 2020 at 8:22 PM

Small Business Assistance Measures

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend,  As small businesses and restaurants across the state continue to feel the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, a number of assistance measures have been put in place to help provide relief to Illinois' small business commu…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 27, 2020 at 8:24 PM

Income Tax Extension

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend,  This week, I joined with my fellow Senate Republican colleagues to urge the Pritzker Administration to take into consideration the daily realities facing the people of this state and push back the state income tax deadline for Illi…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 23, 2020 at 4:07 PM

Constituent services still available

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, With the Governor having recently issued a stay-at-home order lasting until Tuesday, April 7, I wanted to reach out to make you aware that constituent services are still available through both my Springfield and Mattoon offices via…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 20, 2020 at 11:38 PM

Governor Issues Stay at Home Order

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order starting at 5 PM Saturday, March 21, until Tuesday, April 7. We want to make sure you understand what this means for you and dispel some rumors you may have heard. Under this order, many things won’t …

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 20, 2020 at 1:32 PM

Business Assistance Update

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT As small businesses and restaurants across the state continue to feel the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, I wanted to share information about relief efforts available to Illinois' small business community. As many bars and restaura…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 19, 2020 at 4:35 PM

Resource Update: New COVID-19 website launched

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT New COVID-19 website launched to provide information and resources In another effort to provide timely and accurate information to the public, Coronavirus.illinois.gov  has been launched to centralize the breaking updates from state government…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 18, 2020 at 4:44 PM

COVID 19: Useful Information

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT In light of ongoing concerns and questions surrounding COVID-19, below is some helpful information and resources on a number of topics that impact may be impacting your daily life. Education On March 13, Governor Pritzker ordered that all K-…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 6, 2020 at 8:12 PM

Week-in-Review: Census starting soon

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Illinois lawmakers received an update March 5 on the status of Coronavirus (COVID-19) from state Public Health officials who are encouraging the public to help prevent the spread of the virus. In other action, residents across Illinois will soo…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

March 2, 2020 at 7:35 PM

Week-in-Review: Education funding held hostage

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Last week, I continued my calls for a balanced budget during the week, seeking to ensure that K-12 education funding is not held hostage by a costly income tax.   In other news, Senate Republicans are asking questions following concerns raised…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

February 18, 2020 at 8:39 PM

Continuing the push to pass Fair Maps amendment

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Seeking to reform the state’s current system of drawing voting maps and empower voters, I am sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 18 (SJRCA18) to remove lawmakers from the redistricting process. The newly-filed constitutio…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

November 27, 2019 at 2:43 AM

Happy Thanksgiving

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, this is the time of year that we are reminded of the many blessings in our lives. Personally, there is so much to give thanks for this year. I'm the father of two sons who continue make…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

November 8, 2019 at 4:17 PM

Veto Session Preview

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT A full agenda awaits legislators when they return to the Capitol Nov. 12 for the final week of the fall Veto Session, and time is running out to take advantage of Illinois’ one-time-only Tax Amnesty Program.  In other news, the Illinois Emergen…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

November 1, 2019 at 7:02 PM

Senate Republicans introduce legislation to ensure independent investigations of ethics violations

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT Dear Friend, The Senate Republican Caucus took action this week to restore public trust in an honest and ethical state government by introducing a legislative proposal to ensure independent investigations of members of the General Assembly. Cur…

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  Senator Dale Righter · [email protected]

September 26, 2019 at 6:54 PM

Week-in-Review: Farmers, Rail Safety, Heart Health and more...

HOME ABOUT NEWSROOM CONTACT After a rough and delayed planting season, Illinois’ agriculture industry received good news this week with a Taiwanese delegation committing to purchasing over $2 billion in Illinois soy and corn over the next two years. Meanwhile, Illinois mo…

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