McHenry Times

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 Member Kevin Hunter, and former House of Representatives Majority Leader Robert Churchill. Each speaker provided valuable insights into their work and the importance of young adults becoming involved citizens. Senator Wilcox expressed his admiration for the students' enthusiasm and interest in learning about careers in the public sector, stating, "Every one of these young men and ladies certainly has a bright future ahead of them!"

The afternoon session of the event focused on brainstorming legislative ideas that the students would like to see written into law. The groups presented their ideas, and at the end of the day, a policy idea was voted on as the favorite. This event provided the students with a unique opportunity to engage in the legislative process and have their voices heard.

In other news, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently announced the Illinois B2B NewBiz grant program. This program aims to provide financial relief to businesses that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and were most impacted by it. The grants are available to businesses that have not been eligible for state grants and most federal emergency support thus far. Business owners can learn more and apply for the grant on the grant portal until January 11, 2024.

Senator Wilcox also highlighted the success of the strengthened "Clear and Present Danger" law in Illinois. This law was implemented following a tragic mass shooting at the Highland Park 4th of July parade in 2022. The shooter, who had a history of threatening behavior, was able to obtain a firearm legally due to a loophole in the existing law. The new administrative rule requires the Illinois State Police to keep all clear-and-present-danger reports on file, regardless of whether the individual has a pending or active FOID card. This measure aims to keep firearms out of the hands of potentially dangerous individuals and prevent future tragedies.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Senator Wilcox urged the community to participate in the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. The campaign aims to provide toys and gifts to children in need, ensuring that every child has a gift to open over the holidays. Senator Wilcox's Woodstock legislative office is serving as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children of all ages.

Additionally, the Illinois State Police has introduced a new form to report suspected public corruption. The form, created by the ISP's Special Investigations Unit, aims to streamline the reporting process and ensure that allegations of wrongdoing are properly investigated. The online form is available for suspected public corruption only.

Lastly, concerns about drought conditions in Illinois have arisen as farmers wrap up their harvest season. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that topsoil moisture is significantly lower than previous years, indicating the potential for drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor also shows a majority of the state experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. The NOAA's seasonal outlook predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures for Illinois, but normal precipitation levels for most of the state.

As Illinois faces potential drought conditions, it is crucial to monitor the situation and support the state's farmers and those who rely on a healthy environment.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://senatorwilcox.com/2023/12/04/capitol-report-from-senator-craig-wilcox-87/