News

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) was recently appointed to serve on the Midwestern Legislative Conference Economic Development Committee, made up of state and provincial legislators from across the Midwest and Canada.

With only ten remaining days in the spring legislative session calendar, lawmakers are working earnestly to move legislation before the General Assembly adjourns on May 31.

As lawmakers prepare to return to Springfield to take up the final weeks of spring legislative session, Senator Fowler (R-Harrisburg) spent time in District hosting mobile office hours, touring a local business, and visiting with area students in the classroom.

After six weeks of continued session, lawmakers returned to their Districts this week for the scheduled two-week Easter break in the spring session calendar. Lawmakers are set to return to the Capitol on April 30.

Seeking to bring opportunity to the region, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) welcomed representatives from Two Rivers Fisheries to Cairo to discuss future economic development in Southern Illinois.

The Illinois Senate supported economic development in Southern Illinois by passing legislation sponsored by State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) authorizing a property transfer from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to the City of Carterville.

Citizens and advocacy groups from across the state crowded the Capitol during the week, voicing their support or opposition to hundreds of bills currently being considered by lawmakers.

On March 19, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) returned to Springfield to continue with legislative session, attending a number of hearings ahead of the March 22 deadline to move Senate bills out of committees.

Lawmakers returned to Springfield this week, returning to the Capitol for a full schedule of committees.

After last year’s impressive turnout, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is partnering with the Harrisburg and Southern Illinois Regional Chambers of Commerce to host the Second Annual Southern Illinois Made Expo on July 27 and 28.

On March 6, more than four dozen students from the 59th District traveled to the Capitol to participate in the spring meeting of State Senator Dale Fowler’s (R-Harrisburg) Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Senate lawmakers will return to the Capitol on March 5 to continue to resume spring session. In the meantime, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) returned to District to host another round of Mobile Office Hours in Benton.

Lawmakers returned to Springfield last week, gathering on Feb. 20 for a joint session of the General Assembly to listen as Illinois’ new Governor outlined his spending plan for the coming year.

On Feb. 23, newly-elected Governor JB Pritzker delivered his first-ever budget address before members of the General Assembly.

Before preparing to return to Springfield to hear the Governor’s annual Budget Address be delivered on Feb. 20, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) spent the week in District hosting mobile office hours, visiting with local organizations and exploring business development opportunities in Southern Illinois.

Just weeks into the start of spring Legislative Session, the Senate voted on a Democrat initiative to incrementally increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour – a plan that could have huge repercussions for employers across the board, including public universities, school districts, and not-for-profit organizations.

On February 7, a costly 15 dollar minimum wage increase to be phased in over the next 6 years was passed out of the Senate.

Seeking to provide a voice to the people, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution-Constitutional Amendment 4 (SJR-CA 4), which allows voters to weigh in on a Constitutional Amendment to create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps.

Before returning to Springfield for the second week of session starting Jan. 29, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) attended a local Red Carpet Gala. The annual event was hosted in Marion, benefiting the Hospice of Southern Illinois. The regional not-for-profit offers services to communities throughout the region and is certified by both Medicare and Medicaid.

Senate Republican Committee assignments were announced for the new 101st General Assembly, warming centers can provide help managing the predicted bitterly cold weather across the state and its tax filing season.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) will continue to serve as the Minority Spokesperson for the Commerce and Economic Development Committee in the 101st General Assembly.

A new Administration took control of the Governor’s office this week with recently-elected Democrat Governor taking the Oath of Office on Jan. 14 and beginning his term in public office.

Newly-elected Governor Pritzker signed the controversial gun licensing bill, Senate Bill 337, on Jan. 17. Opponents to the measure argue that the bill places a hard financial burden on smaller gun stores—demanding high licensing fees, containing high fines and mandating electronic based record keeping.

Illinois lawmakers gathered in Springfield last week for the final days of the 100th General Assembly, with State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) taking the Oath of Office and turning his attention to a new General Assembly.

Ongoing efforts to reopen the Hardin County Work Camp saw progress this week under recently signed legislation sponsored by State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).