McHenry Times

Senator Craig Wilcox recently concluded a series of traveling office hours events in the 32nd District and has announced additional outreach events scheduled for the summer and fall. The upcoming events include:

- July 17: ICASH Unclaimed Property Day at Algonquin Township Building, Crystal Lake, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

- August 5: Secretary of State REAL ID Event at McHenry City Hall from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

- August 17: District Office Open House at Wilcox Office, Woodstock, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

- September 11: Medicare 101 at Nippersink Public Library, Richmond, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

- September 19: Barks & Brews at Kishwaukee Brewing Company, Woodstock, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

- October 15: Senior Health Fair at Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The legal battle over a new Illinois election law has intensified following a Sangamon County judge's ruling that declared it unconstitutional. Senate Bill 2412, signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in May, introduced changes to the election process already underway. One controversial provision aimed to halt the slating of candidates for ballot vacancies. The legislation faced criticism from good government groups and newspaper editorial boards as a move by Illinois Democrats to protect incumbents and limit voter choices.

Candidates affected by the law challenged it in court, resulting in an early June ruling declaring it unconstitutional for the upcoming election cycle. Legislative allies of Governor Pritzker are now appealing this decision to the Illinois Supreme Court, where Democrats hold a majority.

During the spring session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 3622 to regulate historic bridges posing safety risks while still in use. The bill allows the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council to recommend removing a bridge from the National Register of Historic Places if it meets specific criteria and is set for renovation or rebuilding. SB3622 passed unanimously in both chambers and awaits the Governor’s signature.

The Illinois State Fair will return to Springfield this summer for its 171st year from August 8th through August 18th. Tickets for Grandstand events featuring headliners such as Miranda Lambert, Lil Wayne, and Motley Crue are now on sale. The Twilight Parade is scheduled for August 8th with entries due by July 8th. Employment and volunteer opportunities are available with applications currently being accepted. More information can be found on the official website statefair.illinois.gov.

In an effort to streamline services for drivers, the Secretary of State’s Office has launched its first electric-powered mobile DMV under the DMV on Wheels program. Services offered include driver’s license renewals, vehicle registration renewals, vehicle sticker services, REAL ID applications, and license or state ID replacements. The program will start in Chicago and its suburbs by late June before expanding to three additional locations by summer's end.