McHenry Times

A recent community event, Barks & Brews 2025, drew a large crowd in District 32. Attendees enjoyed favorable weather and participated in activities that included meeting dogs available for adoption. Senator Craig Wilcox expressed appreciation for the turnout, stating that the event has become a favorite in the district.

Senator Wilcox also announced several upcoming outreach events. These include Conversations Untapped at Harbor Brewing Company in Lake Villa on August 28, IPASS on Demand sessions at Fox Lake Library and Lake Villa District Library on September 9 and September 17 respectively, a Constituent Services Event with Cary Mayor Mark Kownick on September 23, Medicare 101 at Harrison School on September 30, and a Senior Resource Fair at Grand Oaks Recreation Center on October 14. Additional events are regularly posted to his website.

Four communities within the 32nd District are among thirty across northeastern Illinois to receive grants from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). The annual technical assistance program supports local projects focused on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, transportation safety, capital improvements, and other priorities. According to CMAP, these grants help municipalities plan strategically and access funding for implementation. This year’s selected projects were chosen from over eighty applications submitted by seventy-two communities.

Two former Obama administration officials have launched an effort to reform redistricting in Illinois through a new group called “Fair Maps Illinois.” Bill Daley and Ray LaHood announced plans to pursue a constitutional amendment for the 2026 ballot that would create an independent commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts. The proposed commission would be prohibited from using political or voting data and would prioritize compact districts while protecting minority representation. Previous attempts at similar reforms have failed in court.

Senator Wilcox commented: "I have always been a supporter of fair maps, and have co-sponsored legislation that would take map-drawing out of the hands of politicians. These include SJRCA 04 from the 101st General Assembly and SJRCA 13 from the 102nd General Assembly."

To advance their proposal, supporters must collect at least 320,000 valid signatures.

Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed House Bill 460 into law. The measure expands eligibility for state-funded college scholarships and financial aid to non-citizens who do not qualify for federal aid programs. The legislation faced opposition but was enacted despite concerns about its impact on resource allocation.

Senator Wilcox stated: "The new law directs limited financial resources away from Illinois families and funnels them to individuals who are not in the country legally. Every dollar given to a non-citizen under HB 460 comes at the expense of a citizen Illinois student who is desperate for college financial aid. With Illinois families already burdened by some of the highest taxes in the nation, they will now be forced to subsidize college aid for individuals who are not citizens."

He added: "Federal law specifically withholds student aid from non-citizens. HB 460 sidesteps those protections, using taxpayers to cover the costs instead. I voted against this measure when it was brought before the Senate because I believe that since college financial aid is hard to come by, it should be reserved for Illinois citizens."

Wilcox has represented Illinois's 32nd Senate District since his election in 2018.