Kane County Reporter

When constituents attended a recent DMV event hosted by Senator Don DeWitte, they received an unexpected benefit. Representatives from the Illinois Tollway were present to assist attendees in upgrading their plastic IPASS transponders to new sticker technology. Nearly all individuals who registered for DMV services also took advantage of this opportunity.

Senator DeWitte expressed gratitude towards the Secretary of State’s Mobile DMV unit and the Illinois Tollway representatives for efficiently handling vehicle-related transactions. He also thanked those who attended and announced that the next Tollway IPASS on Demand event is scheduled for September 9 in Algonquin.

New legislation has sparked debate over priorities in addressing crime in Illinois. House Bill 4409, which changes the term “offender” to “justice-impacted individual” in state statutes, was signed into law last week. Critics argue that such measures highlight misplaced priorities amid rising crime rates. According to recent data, major crimes in Chicago have surged by nearly 60% compared to 2019 and 18% since 2022.

Senator DeWitte criticized the legislation, stating it would not reduce crime and prioritizes criminals' rights over those of everyday citizens. HB 4409 was signed into law on August 2.

Several events are planned for the summer in the 33rd Senate District:

- August 19: Traveling Office Hours at Dundee Township Rakow Center

- August 24: Prescription Drug Drop-Off at West Dundee Police Department

- September 5: Senior Expo at Dundee Township Rakow Center

- September 9: IPASS on Demand at Algonquin Village Hall

- September 17: Senior Expo at St. Charles Pottawatomie Park

- September 21: Shred Event at Pingree Grove

- September 24: I-CASH Unclaimed Property Day at Algonquin Village Hall

- October 15: Senior Expo at Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building

Details can be found on Senator DeWitte's website.

At the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held last week in Louisville, KY, Senator DeWitte served on a panel discussing state agency operations and legislative oversight. The panel included legislators from North Dakota, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Idaho.

Illinois recently enacted updates to its Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Senate Bill 2979 aims to balance privacy protection with reducing legal burdens on businesses but has faced criticism for not adequately addressing BIPA's shortcomings. SB 2979 was signed into law on August 2.

The Illinois State Fair commenced on August 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the Twilight Parade. Traditional attractions include a butter cow sculpture made from approximately 500 pounds of unsalted butter. The fair features themed days such as Agriculture Day and Veterans & Gold Star Families Day, along with concerts by artists like Keith Urban and Lil Wayne.

A study from the University of Illinois System revealed that only about one-quarter of public-school students have returned to pre-pandemic academic levels in English language arts, with even fewer achieving similar results in math. This comes as federal relief funds critical for educational support are set to expire this year, posing challenges for schools seeking alternative funding sources.