State Sen. Donald P. Dewitte (R-Ill.)
State Government: Elected Officials | Elected State Senators
Recent News About State Sen. Donald P. Dewitte (R-Ill.)
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Senator DeWitte and Rep. Ugaste host event for new IPASS sticker system
State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) and State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) are collaborating with the Illinois Tollway to assist motorists in updating their IPASS technology from plastic transponders to new stickers. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, at the lawmakers’ shared office in St. Charles.
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IDOT allocates over $53 million to 33rd District transportation projects
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has released its updated Multi-Year transportation improvement plan. Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) announced that $53,220,000 in IDOT funding is allocated to the 33rd Senate District. Of this amount, $24,345,000 is designated for state highway improvements within the district, while $28,875,000 will go toward local highway enhancements. For the current fiscal year alone, $25,860,000 in IDOT funds are earmarked for state and local projects in the 33rd District.
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DeWitte criticizes Pritzker Administration over proposed prison closures
In March, the Pritzker Administration announced plans to demolish and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in suburban Crest Hill. The plan proposes nearly doubling the prison’s capacity, despite the facility being half empty and a significant statewide decrease in the prison population.
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Illinois General Assembly passes record $53 billion FY2025 budget
On separate days last week, the Illinois General Assembly passed a Fiscal Year 2025 budget which sets a new record for government spending at just over $53 billion. The new budget, effective July 1, 2024, represents an increase in state spending of nearly $13 billion, or 32%, since Governor Pritzker took office five and a half years ago. No Republicans in the Senate or House supported the spending plan.
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Senator DeWitte criticizes FY 2025 budget for increased spending and taxes
On May 26, Senate Democrats approved a Fiscal Year 2025 budget that includes record spending and nearly $1 billion in tax increases. In response to the Senate’s passage of the budget, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), who voted against it, released a statement expressing his concerns.
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DeWitte and Ugaste to host property tax seminar with expert speaker
Constituents of State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) and State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) are invited to attend a free property tax seminar on Wednesday, June 5 in St. Charles. The event will feature Kane County Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong as the guest presenter.
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Senate Republicans contest CTU's demand for additional $1 billion funding
On May 15, hundreds of members from the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) took a taxpayer-funded day off to travel to the Capitol and demand an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This move has been criticized by Senate Republicans who argue that it is hypocritical for union members to take a day off from teaching, thereby forcing the district to spend taxpayer dollars on substitute teachers while also paying salaries of the CTU members who traveled to Springfield.
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Senate Republicans challenge CTU's claims for additional state funding
As the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) demands an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools, Senate Republican Caucus leaders argue that recent funding numbers contradict many of the CTU’s claims. This comes as 600 members of the CTU took a taxpayer-funded day off at the Capitol to press their demands.
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Senator DeWitte organizes collection drive for local food pantries
State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) is spearheading a collection drive to restock supplies of household cleaning products and toiletries at the St. Charles (Tri-City) Salvation Army and Food for Greater Elgin Food Pantries. The initiative, which runs through May 24, will accept donations at his legislative offices in West Dundee and St. Charles.
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Senator DeWitte's initiatives: Nurses week celebration, mobile DMV event, FAFSA help
Senator Don DeWitte of the 33rd Senate District made special deliveries at Sherman Hospital during National Nurses Appreciation Week, showing gratitude to the healthcare professionals who tirelessly work long hours to maintain public health. "We were able to see the night shift nurses as they were leaving, and the day shift nurses as they were arriving," he said.
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Senate Republicans Criticize Democrats for Passing Election Law Mid-Cycle
Senate Republicans have expressed strong opposition to a new law passed by Illinois Democrats that will significantly alter the state's election laws in the middle of the 2024 election cycle. Referring to the move as a potential election theft, Republicans warned that the changes favor entrenched incumbents and reduce competition at the ballot box.Senator Don DeWitte and his Republican colleagues believe that Senate Bill 2412 is a blatant power grab by Democrats to protect their incumbents from challengers in the upcoming general election. DeWitte stated, "It’s no wonder...
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Representative Ugaste, Senator DeWitte to Host FREE Document Shredding Event & Food Drive
State Representative Dan Ugaste and Senator Don DeWitte are teaming up to host a free document shredding event and food drive for the community. The event will take place at the Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Joe K. Anderson Community Center in St. Charles on Saturday, May 4 from 9:00-11:00 AM. The initiative aims to help residents safely dispose of old documents while also supporting those in need by collecting non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Pantry.“I am very pleased to be offering these free events alongside Senator DeWitte,” expressed Rep. Ugaste....
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Senator DeWitte Hosts Spring Events and Advances Legislative Agenda
Senator DeWitte is gearing up for a series of spring events, starting with a shredding event and food drive on May 4th in St. Charles. Partnering with State Rep. Dan Ugaste for the event, Senator DeWitte announced, "I am kicking off my 2024 spring/summer events calendar with a FREE document shredding event this Saturday in St. Charles."The event will take place at the Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Community Center, where a shred truck will be available from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Senator DeWitte emphasized the importance of following traffic signs and remaining in...
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Legislative News from Senator Don DeWitte
Senator Don DeWitte and State Rep. Jeff Keicher recently teamed up with AARP Illinois to advocate for the end of a discriminatory driving law in Illinois. Speaking at a bipartisan press conference, Senator DeWitte highlighted the need for House Bill 4431 to eliminate the requirement for extra driving tests for individuals aged 75 and over, regardless of driving record or ability. DeWitte emphasized the importance of focusing on factors that determine driving capability, such as health conditions and accidents, rather than solely relying on age.At the same event, Rep....
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Senator Don DeWitte's Latest Legislative Updates
Senator Don DeWitte has announced the kickoff of his 2024 spring/summer events calendar with a FREE document shredding event scheduled for Saturday, May 4 in St. Charles. In partnership with State Rep. Dan Ugaste, the event will take place at the Salvation Army Tri-City Corps Community Center. DeWitte encourages participants to bring their sensitive documents for shredding and non-perishable food items for donation. Regarding the event logistics, DeWitte stated, "A shred truck will be on site... from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM or until the truck is full."Expressing his...
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Senator Don DeWitte Addresses Key Legislative Issues in Illinois
Senator Don DeWitte recently participated in a panel hosted by Safe Suburbs USA in Geneva, where he discussed crime trends in Kane County alongside other esteemed panelists. DeWitte highlighted the concerning increase in child sexual exploitation and stolen vehicles in the county, emphasizing the importance of addressing these crimes against children. He noted that the newly established Child Exploitation Unit in Kane County, with retired Naperville detective Rich Wistocki as a special investigator, has shown promising results but stressed that more work needs to be done....
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Shouldn’t Those who Defraud the Pandemic Relief Fund be Prosecuted?
DeWitte Questions Executive Inspector General During Senate Appropriations MeetingDuring a recent Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, Senator DeWitte raised concerns about the alleged fraudulent activities related to the pandemic relief fund. He questioned Executive Inspector General Susan Halling about the status of investigations into state employees involved in the fraud, inquiring specifically about potential prosecutions.Legislation Proposed to Keep At-Risk Veteran Homes AffordableIn response to the escalating costs associated with housing options for...
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Legislative News from Senator Don DeWitte
Senator Don DeWitte has been at the forefront of introducing new legislation aimed at assisting struggling families and addressing vital issues affecting the state of Illinois. The proposed bills aim to provide financial relief to families with children, improve broadband access, raise awareness for developmental disabilities, and address environmental concerns.Senator DeWitte, in co-sponsoring Senate Bill 2717 and Senate Bill 3104, highlighted the importance of providing financial support to families with children in daycare and pre-K programs. In his statement, he...
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Senator DeWitte Engages Public with Legislative Survey, Introduces Bills, and Supports Agriculture Students
Senator Don DeWitte has invited the public to participate in the Spring 2024 legislative survey, seeking opinions on pending legislation and bills that have passed in recent years. The Senator expressed his eagerness to receive feedback, stating, "I will read every survey that is submitted, and I look forward to your comments."One of the key initiatives supported by Senator DeWitte is the Constitutional Amendment to Ensure U.S. Citizenship Required to Vote in Illinois. Regarding the proposed Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 14, the Senator emphasized the...
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Legislative News from Senator Don DeWitte
Senator Don DeWitte is seeking input from constituents on pending legislation as the committee deadline approaches in Illinois. DeWitte stated, "In my initial review of legislation still waiting to be heard, I decided this was a good time to seek input from my constituents." He has created a survey to gather opinions on pending legislation and bills that have passed in recent years.In response to Governor JB Pritzker's non-citizen welfare policies, Senator Don DeWitte has cosponsored legislation aimed at increasing transparency on state spending related to migrants....