Kane County Reporter

Longmeadow Parkway Opens as Toll-Free Crossing Over Fox River

After three decades of planning and collaboration across local, county, and state levels, Longmeadow Parkway is now fully operational with a toll-free bridge. The $205 million project spans 5.6 miles, connecting Huntley/Boyer Road to Route 62, and aims to alleviate traffic congestion by providing an additional crossing over the Fox River.

"I was proud to work collaboratively to obtain $30 million in state funding for the project to help eliminate the initial idea for a toll for the bridge," said Senator Don DeWitte. The parkway extends through Algonquin, Carpentersville, Barrington Hills, and Unincorporated Kane County.

Senator DeWitte Hosts Roundtable with Police and Fire Safety Leaders

Senator Don DeWitte recently partnered with Senator Dave Syverson and State Representatives Jeff Keicher and Dan Ugaste to host the annual First Responders Roundtable at Elgin Community College Center for Emergency Services in Burlington. More than 60 first responders from Kane, McHenry, and DeKalb Counties participated.

"Our local police and firefighters have done a tremendous job adapting to the changes and challenges they have had to face in recent years," said DeWitte. Discussions highlighted staffing issues exacerbated by the SAFE-T Act and elimination of cash bail, retention difficulties among firefighters, costly new mandates from the state, DUIs related to legal cannabis, lax penalties for fleeing incidents leading to high-speed chases, and criminals using stolen license plates on stolen vehicles.

Participants included officers and firefighters from various towns including Batavia, Burlington, Carpentersville, Cortland, Crystal Lake, DeKalb among others.

Tax Credits Available for Parents and Educators

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) reminds taxpayers that they may claim back-to-school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2024 individual income tax returns. The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or guardians of full-time K-12 students under 21 years old to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 up to a maximum credit of $750. Eligible expenses include tuition, book rental fees paid to schools where students are enrolled full-time. Homeschooling families can also qualify if book rental or lab fees exceed $250.

Additionally, educators can claim up to $500 for out-of-pocket classroom material expenses through the K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit. For educator spouses filing jointly this amount doubles to $1,000.

Further details are available on IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov.

Upcoming Senior Fair in Carpentersville

Senator DeWitte announced a Senior Expo scheduled this Thursday in Carpentersville with about 50 vendors catering to older Illinoisans' needs. It is a free event with refreshments provided.

Here are upcoming events:

- 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

For more information visit Senator DeWitte's Events Page on his website.

DeWitte Joins Civic Engagement Panel at ECC

Senator Don DeWitte recently joined other lawmakers in speaking with over 100 students interested in civic engagement at Elgin Community College (ECC). "I always enjoy talking with our next generation of leaders," he said. The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) fosters skills needed by ECC students to be engaged civic leaders.

Senate Transportation Committee Meets at ECC

As ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee Senator Don DeWitte attended hearings held across Cook County soliciting input on reforming regional transit into one organization with an 18-member board. Last week’s meeting received testimony from county board chairs mayors other community leaders from Kane McHenry Counties appreciating valuable input provided by officials attending these ongoing hearings two more scheduled weeks ahead.

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Law Limiting Candidate Slating

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling blocking Senate Bill 2412 signed by Governor Pritzker aimed halting candidate slating practice filling ballot vacancies current election cycle collecting petition signatures rearranging lives run office Republican lawmakers criticized bill benefiting Democratic incumbents reducing voter choice upcoming election Governor Pritzker’s legislative allies petitioned court revisit earlier ruling affirmed lower court decision declaring law unconstitutional altering election rules post-cycle start measure drew swift criticism including good government advocates viewing blatant power grab Democratic lawmakers giving vulnerable incumbents advantage November ruling candidates collected required petition signatures official deadline placed ballot voter consideration.