Illinois State Senate District 33 issued the following announcement on Aug. 20.
Illinois State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) has been named the Senate's Outstanding Freshman of the Year, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who have made special contributions to the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans in their first two years in office.
“I am honored to be recognized for my pro-business voting record over the last two years, and will continue to support measures important to the business community,” said DeWitte. “We are currently in unprecedented times, making it even more important that the legislature supports our job creators as they begin to get back on their feet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Illinois Chamber rated all members of the 101st General Assembly based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation as determined by staff and the Illinois Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee.
The Champion of Free Enterprise Awards are given biennially to members with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85 percent or higher over the previous two General Assemblies who have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit.
“In his first two years as a legislator, Sen. DeWitte has proven himself to be a trusted advocate for the business community by showing up time and time again to fight for more economic opportunity in his district and throughout the state,” said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch. “He distinguished himself as a leader in his caucus and throughout the General Assembly through his incredibly hard work fighting for a capital bill that would improve Illinois’ crumbling infrastructure. He became an expert on the subject matter and worked with the Chamber and other business organizations to ensure the final capital bill was a bipartisan package that would smartly invest in in our transportation network. We are proud to name Sen. DeWitte the 101st General Assembly’s Senate Outstanding Freshman of the Year and look forward to working with him to help create stronger business and a stronger Illinois.”
The votes in the Senate and House are selected based on their impact on the business community. None of the bills used in the report are weighted, as there were an adequate number of bills voted on during this General Assembly.
“It is our job to educate our members on the record of their representatives and hold them accountable for it,” said Illinois Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher. “We believe the Chamber’s legislative ratings are an effective tool in determining that accountability and commitment to economic growth.”
Original source can be found here.
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