Steve's Blog

Since 2017 it’s been my privilege to serve the people of McHenry County as the representative of the 63^rd Legislative District, and I’m asking you to let me continue representing you in Springfield.

.Illinois is confronted with many problems which are familiar to us all: crushing debt, ever-escalating property taxes and a culture of corruption. We live in a poisonous political climate that cares more about the next election than it does about fulfilling government’s responsibility to create an atmosphere that helps to foster economic growth and personal well-being. All of these and more have combined to deny our citizens a government that’s worthy of them.

.Someone recently said that partisanship in the Legislature has gone to such lengths that its members are unable to effectively serve; that “consensus and resolution” is needed to address state issues.

“Consensus and resolution” makes for a great sound bite, but it doesn’t mean much when it comes from someone seeking to join a super-majority that can utterly ignore the urgent concerns of a large number of our State’s citizens and impose its legislative agenda with no thought at all for consensus and resolution. If you want proof, you need look no further than the measures passed during the last session. The harder job is to reach consensus and resolution on the issues that matter to the people of McHenry County when you don’t have numbers on your side. That’s what I’ve been able to do.

.During my time in Springfield, I drafted a bipartisan mental health bill to give people the ability to seek help for family members who would do harm to themselves or others. I helped create legislation to protect children from sexual predators in our schools and am currently working in a bipartisan way to reform our child welfare system so that the tragic deaths of children in its care will stop.

.While I’ve consistently advocated for cutting government waste, property tax relief, and a solution to our crushing debt, I wasn’t afraid to take a tough vote that will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in needed road improvements to McHenry County. As part of that bill, House Republicans obtained concessions that enhance our ability to create data centers in Illinois, allowed retailers to keep their reimbursement for acting as a collection agent for state sales taxes, eliminated the antiquated Illinois franchise tax and reinstated a manufacturer’s purchasing credit, as well as enacting a blue collar jobs act along with other measures. The combination of these items results in a better environment for job creation and economic growth.

The diversity of McHenry County extends from its agricultural community to its cities and towns, all of which combine to make it a special place to live, work and raise a family. During my time in the House, I’ve been a consistent advocate for all of our communities.

.The people of McHenry County have always demanded an independent voice in Springfield. I’ve been that independent voice and I’m asking you to let me continue being so.