Kane County Reporter

Illinois State Representative Dan Ugaste has released his latest newsletter, providing updates on various topics affecting the state. Here are the highlights:

New Legislators:

The House Republican Caucus welcomed Nicole La Ha and Brandun Schweizer as the newest legislators. Nicole La Ha, elected as State Representative of the 82nd District, has a strong commitment to lower property taxes and inclusive parks for children with disabilities. Brandun Schweizer, the State Representative of the 104th District, is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant with a background in code enforcement.

Corruption Conviction:

Former Chicago alderman Edward M. Burke has been found guilty on federal corruption charges. Known as a power broker, Burke faced allegations of corruption for decades. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie highlighted the need for significant ethics reforms in Illinois to prevent such abuses of power.

Unemployment:

Illinois saw an increase in its unemployment rate in November 2023, reaching 4.7%. Despite a slight growth in overall jobs, the increase in unemployment reflected the influx of people entering the labor force. The manufacturing sector showed healthy growth, while the Professional and Business Services sector experienced a decline in jobs.

Firearms Registration:

Illinois firearm owners face a registration deadline set by the "Protect Illinois Communities Act." The registration process, mandated by the act, requires owners of so-called "assault weapons" to register their firearms with the State Police. Failure to register could lead to potential confiscation. However, firearm owner groups have raised concerns about unanswered questions regarding the registration process.

Google's Thompson Center Rehab:

Google has unveiled conceptual illustrations for the rehabilitation of the former James R. Thompson Center. The building, sold to Google in 2022, will undergo a gut rehab to transform it into a state-of-the-art workplace for Google employees. The rehab is expected to be completed by 2026.

Small Business Grant:

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is making $25 million in B2B NewBiz grant money available to small businesses that launched in Illinois in 2020 and 2021. The grant program aims to provide economic support to businesses affected by the pandemic and shutdown orders. Interested small business owners are encouraged to reach out to DCEO through community navigators for assistance.

New Laws Taking Effect:

In 2024, over 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois. House Republicans have passed several notable laws this year, and the full list of new laws can be found on The Caucus Blog.

Representative Dan Ugaste concluded his newsletter by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The newsletter will resume after the holidays.

These updates provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in Illinois, from the addition of new legislators to the conviction of a former alderman, the state of unemployment, firearms registration, the rehabilitation of the Thompson Center, support for small businesses, and upcoming new laws.

To find out more, go to this link: https://repugaste.com/2023/12/26/news-from-state-representative-dan-ugaste-december-26-2023/