McHenry Times

Senator Craig Wilcox recently announced his role as Chief Senate Co-Sponsor of House Bill 1586, a piece of legislation that aims to establish merit-based hiring practices in Illinois. The bill received unanimous approval from the Illinois Senate. According to Wilcox, the bill ensures that if federal changes affect major programs in Illinois, they will continue under Illinois' Personnel Code with a merit-based hiring system.

The bill aligns with former President Donald Trump's Executive Order on "Restoring Equality of Opportunity & Meritocracy," which emphasizes treating citizens equally under the law and promoting meritocracy over race- or sex-based favoritism. Wilcox stated, "I believe this bill does more to cement merit-based hiring than prevent any perceived problems members of the majority party believe may occur down the road."

In addition to legislative efforts, Wilcox participated in unveiling the 2025 Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance at the Capitol. This display honors fallen service members from Illinois and is open for public viewing until June 6.

Wilcox also joined other Senate Republicans urging Governor JB Pritzker to restore funding cuts for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The proposed budget includes a wage increase for Direct Support Professionals but reduces service hours, potentially leading to job losses and reduced care.

Furthermore, Wilcox sponsored House Bill 1362 to close a loophole in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERA), ensuring no loss of pay for military personnel due to duty-related absences. The bill passed unanimously and awaits the Governor's approval.

Upcoming community outreach events include an ICASH Unclaimed Property Event on June 26 in Fox Lake and several others throughout summer.

Legislation supporting young farmers has passed through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 2372 establishes a Farmland Transition Commission within the Department of Agriculture to assist individuals aged 25-40 with farmland access challenges.

Senate Republicans are also addressing rising energy bills by proposing a legislative package aimed at improving energy reliability and affordability. This includes creating an Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force and repealing certain closures mandated by previous climate policies.

Wilcox emphasized his support for these measures, noting their potential impact on preventing future rate hikes while maintaining grid reliability.