Grateful for the chance to tour Liberty Steel & Wire in Peoria and talk with company leaders, workers, and local officials about the jobs they create and their plans to grow. Strong manufacturing means more opportunities for Illinois!

Ever wonder how retired Congresspeople always end their careers filthy rich? Because they get inside information to make money trading stocks. I am leading the charge to ban it entirely.

Happy to visit the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, where more than 90% of the kids served rely on Medicaid. I’m grateful to the entire team for showing me how they provide critical care and support for families in our community.

Here in DC, I’m proud to work with Senator Duckworth to bring $210,000 home to Peoria for economic development that will create new jobs.

Congratulations to Savanna, Illinois’ own Cameron Jones on being included in NASA's All American 2025 Class of Astronauts! #IL17

My team was proud to join community leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony for the City of Moline’s South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project is a major investment in modern infrastructure that will strengthen the future of our community!

This is un-American and wrong. Legal immigrants shouldn’t be fearing for their lives. These are our co-workers, friends, family, and loved ones. I’m not afraid to take action against harassment of our neighbors.

We are still waiting on the Trump Administration’s answers concerning the fencing around the federal courthouse. Watch:

Seriously…where to even begin with this hearing? Science should be guiding the decision making at HHS, CDC, NIH, and all of our health agencies. Clearly that’s not happening and America will be sicker because of it.

A few days ago I toured Allure of Mount Carroll to meet residents and thank the dedicated staff who care for our seniors. Our commitment to quality, accessible, and dignified care for seniors should never be a partisan issue.

As harvest season begins, it was great to meet with the Illinois Farm Bureau to focus on goals for the next year. Also great to see IFB Board Member Jeff Kirwan, whose farm was the first I visited as a newly-sworn-in member of Congress.

Bottom line: I am working as hard as I can to find the extra dollars so they end up in the pockets of American farmers. Listen:

September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a chance to celebrate and recognize the great contributions, culture, and rich history of the Hispanic community in America.

I am so thankful to have known Porter McNeil. A Rock Island County Board Member, a leader in his community, a lover of our Democratic values, incredible communicator, and an all around good person. I am thinking of his wife Mary, the McNeil family, and his many friends.

I’m hearing from businesses across #IL17 who are telling me tariffs are hurting them. It doesn’t have to be this way. I have legislation that will bring investments and jobs to #IL17 in spite of this Administration’s doomed policies.

As I observed 9/11 in Washington, my team joined the Remembrance Ceremony at the Rock Island Arsenal to honor the victims. May we always honor their memory through unity and service. 🇺🇸

No matter what you’re going through in your life – you’re never alone. If your outlook is sunny, partly cloudy or mostly cloudy, let’s shatter the stereotype that mental health challenges somehow equate to weakness. You can call 988 anytime for help.

Another senseless act of violence in our schools. We must do everything we can to protect our communities and especially children from gun violence. Enough is enough. www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...

I’m shocked at the political violence that took place in Utah today. My thoughts are with Mr. Kirk and his family. No matter our politics, everyone deserves to be safe. Violence is never the answer to political difference.

I’m excited to announce this federal funding to help our neighbors get the support they need. Having visited Chestnut Health Systems myself, I know how impactful their research is for Illinois.

Rockford deserves answers. Alongside Senators Durbin and Duckworth, I’ve called on the Department of Homeland Security to explain why fencing was put up around the federal courthouse over the weekend – WITHOUT NOTICE or TRANSPARENCY! I will fight to get the answers!

The House GOP’s massive cuts to Medicaid are threatening rural hospitals right here in #IL17. I’m doing everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen. Proud to announce that OSF Healthcare Systems in Peoria are receiving federal funding to keep our neighbors healthy.

With back to school season in full swing, today’s a great day to pick up a book. And today is International Literacy Day! Today, I’m reading about phosphorus. Exciting!

My response to the federal presence in Rockford and Chicago:

It’s time for more Viewer Mail!!! And watch to the end to see how YOU can ask your questions.

10 years ago Bill Davison had the idea of the Refuge Food Forest in Normal! Today, it’s a true community treasure– providing fresh produce, teaching sustainability, and bringing neighbors together! Honored to present a Good Neighbor Award to the folks who made it happen and keep it thriving.

Lowering your cost of living has always been my biggest priority, which is why I’m leading Federal legislation that makes home ownership more attainable and affordable. Let’s do this!

Honored to present a Good Neighbor Certificate to Michele Pankow, Rockford’s first woman Fire Chief and now our State Fire Marshal. Her leadership is breaking barriers and keeping Rockford safe.

Great visit and tour to Four Rivers Sanitation Authority! Their innovative work in wastewater treatment keeps our communities healthy and strong. Thank you to State Reps. Maurice West and Dave Vella, State Senator Steve Stadelman, and Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli for joining!

Here’s an important resource you need to know about that can offset high utility bills. If you need help, please reach out to the Help Illinois Families Assistance Hotline at 833-711-0374 or visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com

Proud to join the Rockford Police Department as they swore in 12 new officers and celebrated a new deputy chief. Thank you for your service and commitment to keeping our community safe!

It’s inspiring to see the innovation happening at the 2025 Farm Progress Show! I am even more driven thanks to the farmers, entrepreneurs, and experts who drive the industry forward. It’s also important we get rid of the terrible tariff failure that is hurting our farmers.

Made in America? How can we if Caterpillar and Deere must pay tariffs to do business? I am leading legislation that puts a check on the Trump Administration’s trade war that is failing us here at home. www.reuters.com/business/cat...

What an inspiring story from one #IL17’s own! Harlem’s own Jiharia Young is showing the nation what strength and perseverance look like. We’re proud to cheer her on as she competes for Youth Athlete of the Year! www.mystateline.com/news/we-face...

Today I stood with AFSCME members, families, and seniors to call out the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” There is nothing beautiful about cutting health care for kids and seniors, slashing food assistance for veterans and working families, and handing out tax breaks to billionaires.

It’s a beautiful day in Peoria, especially when you can get a kickin’ flatbread from Sugar!

No data? No science. This isn’t just backwards, it’s dangerous. Especially for children and young people who need to inherit a living world from us.  cnn.com/2025/08/20/wea…

Before harvest, I wanted to make sure to bring farmers around the table again. Many thanks to everyone who attended in Freeport. We discussed working beyond the leftovers of the Farm Bill, and what we need to focus on in 2026 and beyond.

🤚Raise your hand if you’ve heard of an “Anaerobic Digester” before. Its okay if you haven’t. But when you learn how to take animal waste and turn it into energy, it’s a no-brainer! Many thanks to the folks at Hunter Haven Farms in Pearl City and the Illinois Farm Bureau for the tour!

Congratulations to Illinois FFA members, Blake, Nevin, and Delana for being named National FFA Star Finalists this year!

Have you seen this video from the eye of Hurricane Erin? Grateful to their important work to fly through hurricanes so we can better forecast their paths. I was able to tour the planes, meet the pilots, and say thank you to the “Hurricane Hunters” before the season started.

Every family deserves the peace of mind that when the most dangerous weather threatens, they will be protected. It costs families less than $5 per year to fund the National Weather Service and I am proud to lead the fight to save it from this reckless administration.

It’s time for more Viewer Mail!!! And watch to the end to see how YOU can ask your questions.

One of my favorite things from Illinois in my house. 🚂

It’s time for more Viewer Mail!!! And watch to the end to see how YOU can ask your questions.

Is it me, or is it a bit echo-ey in here?

Let's go Illinois!

Random things from #IL17 around my house!

Nearly 29 years have passed since young Trudy Appleby vanished from Moline. My heart is with Trudy’s family and everyone who has carried her memory through the decades, and I stand with our community in the hope that this brings them some measure of peace. www.wqad.com/article/news...

1/2 Everything must be done to achieve peace in the Middle East and an immediate end to the suffering in Gaza. Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu must show the world that there are means to an end of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.