McHenry Times

After more than 35 years of marriage, Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte (R-West Dundee) felt compelled to go the extra mile in recently celebrating his wife’s birthday.

“I have my wife on Facetime and I was wondering if I could indulge the body into wishing her a happy birthday,” DeWitte said on the House Floor before breaking out in a chorus of Happy Birthday to wife Diane.

The proud parents of two adult children, the still-happy couple reside in St. Charles, where DeWitte has served the 33rd District since 2018. The veteran lawmaker also serves as the minority spokesperson for the Senate Transportation and Senate Revenue Committees, and as a member of the Behavioral & Mental Health, Commerce, Executive, Local Government and Pensions committees.

Before heading to Springfield, DeWitte served as mayor of St. Charles from 2005 to 2013 and as local alderman for more than a decade before that. From 2013-2018, he served on the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board representing Kane County.

DeWitte has also recently made news by leading the charge for change following the death of 5-year-old Andrew "AJ" Freund Jr. at the hands of his parents who later pled guilty to beating him to death.

"[AJ's] senseless death at the violent, cruel hands of his parents is a reminder to all of us the fragility of life and the responsibility to take care of our youth," DeWitte, wearing blue in honor of AJ and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said in the video posted on April 15. "Blue was AJ's favorite color and today I wear blue in tribute to little AJ and a life that was tragically cut way too short."

DeWitte’s 33rd Senate District includes all or part of Algonquin, Batavia, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, East Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Gilberts, Hampshire, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood, Pingree Grove, Sleepy Hollow, South Elgin, St. Charles, Wayne and West Dundee.