Carbondale Reporter

Senate Republicans have criticized Governor JB Pritzker for his recent comments on redistricting in other states, arguing that he lacks credibility due to his actions in Illinois. They point out that while Pritzker campaigned on supporting independent redistricting and vetoing gerrymandered maps, he later approved partisan maps drawn by Democratic lawmakers in 2021. According to Republicans, these maps were designed to maintain Democratic control rather than ensure fair representation.

Critics accuse Pritzker of expressing concern about fairness in other states while having set a precedent for partisan manipulation in Illinois. "If the rules only matter when his party benefits, it was never about voters or fairness," they argue. Senate Republicans believe Illinois families deserve a transparent redistricting process.

Governor Pritzker also recently signed Senate Bill 8 into law, which shortens the deadline for reporting lost or stolen firearms from 72 hours to 48 hours starting January 1, 2026. The new law imposes heavy fines and potential loss of FOID cards for those who fail to report within the timeframe, with repeat violations leading to more severe penalties. Senate Republicans claim this measure targets responsible gun owners instead of addressing violent crime. State Senator Terri Bryant stated that the law is "just another one-size-fits-all mandate that turns law-abiding citizens into offenders while failing to crack down on actual criminals."

Illinois has been ranked as having the highest property tax rate in the United States. The Tax Foundation reported an average effective property tax rate of 1.83% for Illinois homeowners in 2023, higher than neighboring states. This comes after Governor Pritzker signed what has been described as the largest state budget in Illinois history, including nearly $1 billion in new taxes and fees. State Senator Terri Bryant said: "the Governor’s agenda is crushing working families, piling even more taxes onto Illinoisans." She added that current policies are making life less affordable without implementing reforms that could help homeowners.

August marks Emergency Management Awareness Month, recognizing emergency managers' work before, during, and after disasters. These professionals coordinate disaster responses and support recovery efforts at local and county levels to keep communities safe.

With rising energy costs affecting residents across Illinois—especially following recent rate hikes announced by Ameren Illinois—State Senator Terri Bryant encourages residents to seek assistance through available programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Ameren's Supplemental Arrearage Reduction Program (SARP), which offers up to $1,000 per year for qualified customers. Budget billing programs are also available to help manage monthly expenses.

Terri Bryant has represented Illinois’ 58th Senate District since her election in 2021 as a Republican senator, succeeding Paul Schimpf.