Illinois State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry)
State Government: Elected Officials | Elected State Senators
Recent News About Illinois State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry)
-
From DuPage Policy Journal
11th Congressional District candidate Evans endorsed by Sen. Wilcox
Jerry Evans, a candidate for the 11th Congressional District, recently secured the endorsement of State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry). Wilcox, a retired Colonel from the United States Air Force who was first elected in 2017, has been recognized for his dedicated service, having earned two Bronze Star Medals.
-
Senate Republicans Help Convince Gov. Pritzker to Pause Budget Cuts for the Developmentally Disabled
Senate Republicans have successfully persuaded the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to halt proposed budget cuts for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (IDD) community. The Pritzker administration's plan to reduce funding would have resulted in 2.5 million fewer hours of care provided by Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This cut, amounting to nearly $90 million, would have affected 90% of all group home residents.The proposal faced strong opposition from lawmakers on both...
-
Capitol Report: Illinois Legislative Session Begins
The Illinois General Assembly commenced its regular session on January 16th, and lawmakers have been busy meeting with constituents, drafting legislation, and discussing important issues. One of the key topics that is expected to be addressed during the session is the ongoing immigration crisis and its associated costs.Governor JB Pritzker has taken executive action to deal with the crisis, bypassing the legislature and spending taxpayer dollars. Senator Craig Wilcox has called for more transparency regarding the amount of money being spent on immigration services and the...
-
New Director Appointed for Troubled Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
A recent report by the Illinois Inspector General has shed light on the troubling state of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The report revealed that in 2022, nearly 50 more children died while under the care of DCFS compared to the previous year. In response to these issues, Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Heidi Mueller as the new Director of DCFS. Mueller, who currently serves as the Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, is an expert in youth justice and child welfare.Outgoing Director Marc D. Smith, who has been in...
-
Senator Craig Wilcox Launches Fourth Annual “Valentines for Seniors” Card Drive
State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) has announced the launch of his fourth annual “Valentines for Seniors” card drive in Illinois. The initiative aims to bring joy and show appreciation to seniors in assisted living centers, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities across the 32nd Senate District.Senator Wilcox is encouraging students from public and private schools, church groups, scouting organizations, and other community groups to participate in creating homemade cards. These cards, along with poems and well-wishes, will be collected at Senator Wilcox's...
-
Senator Wilcox Hosts “Valentines for Seniors” Card Drive
Illinois Senator Craig Wilcox is organizing a "Valentines for Seniors" card drive in an effort to bring joy and companionship to the elderly in the 32nd District. The senator's office is collecting homemade cards, notes, and drawings that will be distributed to local nursing homes, assisted living centers, and long-term care facilities. Senator Wilcox is encouraging students, church groups, scouting organizations, and other community groups to participate in this initiative. Cards can be dropped off or mailed to Senator Wilcox's Woodstock office until February 5th. The...
-
New Year, New Laws, Part II
As the new year approaches, Illinois residents can expect several new laws to take effect on January 1, 2024. These laws cover various areas, including education, elections, healthcare, parenting, sports, transportation, and support for veterans and military families.One significant change is the expiration of the Invest in Kids program, which provided scholarships to low-income K-12 students in struggling schools. Despite efforts to save the program, it is set to expire due to the lack of intervention from Governor JB Pritzker and the refusal of legislative Democrats....
-
New Laws for Jan. 1, 2024, Part I
As we approach the end of 2023, Illinois is preparing for the implementation of more than 300 new laws on January 1, 2024. While a comprehensive list of these laws is available for public viewing, here are some of the more notable ones that will take effect in the new year.One issue that has received attention during the fall veto session is the expiration of bipartisan legislation that established higher minimum prison terms for individuals convicted of certain crimes. Democratic lawmakers have refused to extend this legislation, which aimed to keep Illinoisans safer....
-
Lawmakers Hear Testimony on AWB Rules
Lawmakers in Illinois recently heard testimony from the Illinois State Police (ISP) regarding their proposed permanent rules for the enforcement of the state's "assault weapon" ban (AWB). The ISP's temporary emergency rules are currently in effect, but action on the proposed permanent rules will be held until the next meeting of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) in January.The emergency rules include requirements for registering existing weapons that are included in the AWB. Owners of banned firearms purchased before January 10, 2023, are now required to...
-
Toy Drive a Tremendous Success, New Leader for IL Farm Bureau
Residents of the 32nd District have shown tremendous generosity by donating toys for the annual Toys for Tots drive. Phil Sweeney and Karena Bergendof of Toys for Tots were astounded by the overflowing bin of toys for children of all ages when they visited a legislative office to collect the donations.Toys for Tots is a nationwide initiative where local communities hold collection campaigns to gather toys for less fortunate children. Coordinators, often Marines or members of local community organizations, work with social welfare agencies, church groups, and community...
-
Senator Wilcox Hosts Fall 2023 Student Advisory Council
Senator Craig Wilcox recently hosted the Fall 2023 Student Advisory Council, bringing together 50 bright students from the 32nd District. The event, held at the Lake Villa Library, aimed to provide high school students with valuable insights into the public sector and encourage their involvement as active citizens. During the day-long event, the students had the opportunity to hear from three guest speakers who shared their experiences and discussed various roles in the public sector.Among the guest speakers were Lake County Circuit Judge Chris Stride, Lake County Board...
-
Senate Republicans Push for Extension of Invest in Kids Act; Democrats Refuse to Call the Bill
Senate Republicans have been pushing for an extension of the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program, but Democrats have refused to call the bill during the fall Veto Session. As a result, thousands of low-income Illinois families will be left scrambling when the program ends on December 31. The program provided full tuition scholarships to children, allowing them to leave struggling public schools and attend a school of their choice. "We came to Springfield this fall to save Invest in Kids so the program could become permanent. Democrats who speak a great deal...
-
Senator Craig Wilcox’s Woodstock Office to Serve as Collection Point for Toys for Tots
State Senator Craig Wilcox's legislative office in Woodstock, Illinois will once again be participating in the annual U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. From now until Friday, December 8, the office will serve as a collection site for new, unwrapped toys and other gifts for children of all ages.Senator Wilcox emphasized the importance of the Toys for Tots campaign in ensuring that every child, regardless of their family's financial situation, has a gift to open during the holidays. He stated, "Toys for Tots has provided toys and other gifts to kids since 1947. The...
-
Fall Veto Session Underway in Springfield as Lawmakers Consider Key Bills
State lawmakers convened in Springfield this week for the start of the annual fall Veto Session. During the spring session, over 550 bills were passed, with Governor JB Pritzker signing all but six into law. Of these six bills, three received total vetoes and three received partial vetoes.Legislators have the power to override a full veto with a 3/5 vote in both the House and Senate. If a vetoed bill is not called for a vote, the veto remains in place and the bill does not become law. For bills with amendatory vetoes, lawmakers can choose to approve the Governor's...
-
Pritzker signs five bills sponsored by Wilcox to 'improve the service provided to our veterans'
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed five bills sponsored and/or sponsored supported by Sen. Craig Wilcox, including several that provide support for veterans and their families, Wilcox reported July 31 in a news release on his Senate website.
-
Wilcox on $5bill in improper IDES Covid payments: ‘The issue was much worse than anyone thought’
Sen. Craig Wilcox has unleashed scathing criticism against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his Administration, accusing them of concealing critical information regarding the dysfunction within IDES during and after the pandemic.
-
Sen. Wilcox: 'Seven hundred homeless veterans is seven hundred too many'
A bill championed by Sen. Craig Wilcox will benefit veterans facing homelessness when the new law goes into effect, according to a news release from the senator’s office.
-
Wilcox: ‘Free healthcare for undocumented immigrants is looking pretty attractive to those flooding our country's southern border right now’
State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is slamming the state’s Democrats for giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants.
-
Illinois' Wilcox sees holes in Johnson's economic vision, wonders 'how he will pay for it'
Illinois state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) responded to a speech by Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson to the General Assembly, warning that the mayor-elect's policies leave too many unanswered questions.
-
State Sen. Wilcox: 'Are we really telling women in 2023 that men make better women than they do'
Illinois State Senator Craig Wilcox (R) spoke out against allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports