We call the hottest days of the year the Dog Days of Summer. While Illinois has had growing average temperatures in recent decades, in was back on July 14 in 1954 that East St. Louis set a state record when their thermometers peaked at 117 degrees.

There are a lot of Illinois success stories to celebrate on Made in the USA Day, and we’re working to build the next ones. The new Made in Illinois Program partners with manufacturers pursuing growth and innovation right here in our state. 

Social media is a powerful force for communication and long-distance collaboration, but it also has the potential to spread misinformation and arrange for great exploitation. We have helped curtail those possibilities for misuse without effecting the positive aspects social media can create.

Whether swimming in Lake Michigan, hiking in Starved Rock State Park, or watching one of our state’s professional baseball teams play, Illinois is a great place to enjoy the summer months. On the first official day of summer, make sure to go outside and take advantage of all Illinois has to offer.

First celebrated in Texas on June 19 in 1865 in recognition of the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Galveston, Juneteenth was made a state holiday on June 16, 2021 and a national one the day after. 

Controlling the mosquito population is vital for agriculture to thrive, and pesticides are essential tool in that process. We took steps to ensure specialists are well-trained in safe and effective use of pesticides, so they can target mosquitos without posing a risk to people.

Today, let’s recognize and honor the incredible dads, father figures and other strong male role models who have played a big role in our lives. To all the dads, papas, pops and fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day!

Playing outside is an essential part of growing up, that’s why we’re taking steps to ensure Illinois kids get the outdoor time that they need at-school and at-home.

In 1938, Illinois was home to the first National Donut Day celebration in commemoration of the Salvation Army’s ‘Donut Lassies.’ During World War I, these brave women traveled to France to bases near the front lines and gave donuts that they had baked to thousands of hungry soldiers.

Last summer, Sonya Massey, a Springfield resident, was killed in her home because loopholes that allow candidates to conceal past mistakes. House Democrats brought reformers and law enforcement together to reform hiring practices at our police departments.

Come join my office this Friday, June 6th from 2-4 PM at the Lake Villa District Library for Neighborhood Office Hours! We look forward to seeing you there!

Safe travels to all the Illinois Muslims renewing their spiritual connection to Islam with an annual pilgrimage, or Hajj, to their holy city Mecca.  

By creating new speed limits near cycling lanes and investing in vital infrastructure, we’re promoting the good exercise, lower costs, and reduced environmental impact that make bike riding a great activity that millions of Illinoisans enjoy.

Come join our office this Wednesday, June 4th from 1:30-4:30 PM at the Zion-Benton Public Library for the Zion Community Hub!

The American Heart Association estimates that CPR saves as many as 200,000 lives every year in the United States. We’re helping ensure that Illinoisans can respond to emergencies effectively by requiring that 9-1-1 dispatchers are trained to assist average people in CPR over the phone. 

Join us Monday, June 6th from 2-4 PM at Winthrop Harbor Village Hall for Neighborhood Office Hours!

Let’s get active this month! For some ideas and tips on how to get started or to learn more about the importance of movement in attaining physical fitness, please visit the National Office for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s website.

During National Public Works Week, take a minute to think about all of the systems, infrastructure, and public spaces in our community that we share. In Illinois, we’re undertaking major infrastructure projects to create jobs, strengthen our roads and public spaces, and protect clean drinking water.

📣 REMINDER 📣 We have our Zion Property Tax Virtual Town Hall in TWO DAYS! Don't forget to share your questions to [email protected]. We look forward to having a meaningful conversation!

Across the country, women’s health is under attack. We’re moving Illinois in a better direction. We’ve made reproductive freedom a fundamental right, delivered critical reforms to improve outcomes for new moms and babies, and we’re demanding better, more affordable healthcare for all. 

During National Police Week, we salute the men and women who work to keep us safe. In Illinois, our fiscally and socially responsible budgets invest in the resources police departments need right now, including equipment, training, and funding to recruit and retain officers.

Wishing all the incredible mothers in our community a very Happy Mother’s Day! Your strength, love, and dedication inspire us every day. Thank you for all that you do.

Join us for the Zion Property Tax Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, May 15, 2025! Hosted by State Rep. Joyce Mason with Mayor McKinney, Assessor Davis, and Administrator Knabel. Join at meet.google.com/zyg-farx-bqt or call 1-801-997-5981 PIN: 305517696. Send questions to [email protected].

Join your local leaders for a virtual town hall on Zion property taxes! 🗓️ May 15, 2025 | ⏰ 6–7 PM. Submit questions to [email protected]. Join via Google Meet: meet.google.com/zyg-farx-bqt or call 1(801)-997-5981 PIN: 305517696.

Please join Rep. Mason, Zion Township Assessor Colette Davis, Zion Mayor Billy McKinney and Zion City Administrator David Knabel at our Zion Property Tax Virtual Town Hall! Submit questions to [email protected] and use this link to join on May 15th at 6PM: meet.google.com/zyg-farx-gqt

Join us for Remote Office Hours at the Lake Villa District Library, this Friday from 2-4PM!

Our educators inspire, teach, and prepare our young people for the future. In Illinois, we’re addressing the barriers that keep new educators from the classroom by streamlining licensing and fighting for stipends for student teachers.  

Mental health matters. Please take some time this May to check in with yourself, friends and loved ones. For tips on taking care of your mental health, please visit the state’s page for mental health resources.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons and the muscles they control. There is no cure, but treatment is available. To support the search for an ALS cure, please visit the National ALS Association’s website.

Join us for Remote Office Hours at the Winthrop Harbor Village Hall, this Monday from 2-4PM!

May Day celebrates the sacrifices and progress made by workers all over the world. May 1 was chosen as the date as it marks the beginning of Chicago’s 1886 Haymarket Affair, which was instrumental in advancing worker’s most fundamental protections and rights.

This month, we celebrate and honor the many contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Illinois and throughout our nation. Thank you for continuing to add to our nation’s melting pot and adding to the diverse fabric that keeps our nation strong.

Workers’ Memorial Day remembers those injured, sickened, or killed while on the job and marks the anniversary of the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, which sets national standards for workplace safety. Today, we remember the dead, and continue to fight for the living.  

We only have one home, and that’s the planet we call Earth. It’s on each of us to do our part to protect our resources, conserve our environment and reflect on what we can do to leave our world in a better condition than when we found it. How will you celebrate Earth Day? 

Wishing all who observe a happy Easter spent with friends, family, and loved ones.

Emancipation Day recognizes the 1862 abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. The move to rid our nation’s capital of slavery is seen as a precursor for 1863’s Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in Confederate territories during the American Civil War. 

HB 3399 has been voted favorably out of the House! This bill creates the Geothermal Homes and Business Act with the goal to increase geothermal energy use. I am proud to do the work to protect our environment by increasing renewable energy usage!

HB 2418 has been voted favorably out of the House. This bill creates the Commission on Youth Sports Act, increasing access to safe, positive, and equitable youth sports programs!

HB3439 has been voted favorably out of the House. This bill strengthens background checks for daycare facilities and ensures safe hiring practices. I am proud to do the work to protect our kids!

HB 3439 has been voted favorably out of the House. This bill states that local ordinances cannot stop State construction projects, ensuring speed, consistency, and lower costs for State construction!

Chag Sameach! Wishing all who observe a happy Passover spent with friends, family, and loved ones.