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“I do not support the actions taken by our Governor today to enact a law that will make it harder for police officers to do their jobs. I stand in support of my local law enforcement officers and agencies who have vocally opposed this legislation. "House Bill 3653 was rammed through the General Assembly in a closed-door process that left Republican lawmakers, law enforcement officials and members of the public out of the discussion. We cannot pass meaningful reforms if the process is one-sided.

While this year looks unlike any year previously, Senate lawmakers watched from their respective districts as the Governor delivered a combined State of the State and Budget Address virtually to members of the General Assembly on February 17. State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) issued the following statement after the Address:

The recent announcement that Honeywell’s Metropolis Works facility is in the process of reopening is the kind of good news that State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) says will help boost the economy and create much-needed job opportunities in Southern Illinois.

State Senator Fowler received feedback from local law enforcement after hosting a Zoom video conference last week about the controversial criminal justice reform proposal that is awaiting action from the Governor. Throughout the week, Senate Republicans brought together almost 500 representatives of Illinois’ law enforcement community to discuss House Bill 3653. This radical proposal would change Illinois’ criminal justice system and impact how law enforcement professionals are able to perform their duties.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) will take on the new position as Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Higher Education Committee, as well as continuing in his current leadership position on the Commerce Committee in the 102nd General Assembly.

A proposed rule by the Illinois State Board of Education that would require educators to embrace and encourage progressive viewpoints and perspectives is set to come before the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules for approval. By signing this petition you are urging the members of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules to vote against implementing social activism in our schools.

This week, newly-compiled and shocking numbers related to the state’s vaccination rollout warrant the need for a clear explanation from the Pritzker Administration. Meanwhile, I joined with my Republican colleagues to continue our calls to action against controversial criminal justice reform legislation that could pose a risk to community safety, by hosting a series of Zoom video conference calls with local law enforcement. Additionally, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced that $8 million is now available for the fifth round of funding of the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) will take on the new position as Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Higher Education Committee, as well as continuing in his current leadership position on the Commerce Committee in the 102nd General Assembly.

On January 28, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) joined his Senate Republican colleagues to issue a letter to Governor J.B. Pritkzer asking for the Administration to answer for failures with the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

DCEO’s Office of Broadband is partnering with PCs for People to collect and distribute refurbished computers to families in need in in Christopher and McLeansboro in the coming days.

This week, I'm back in District, taking stock of the numerous controversial bills that were ram-rodded through the Senate at all hours of the day and night. During the last-minute legislative push that was Lame Duck session, several contentious bills, including a major criminal justice reform bill that some are calling a “backdoor defund police” plan, were pushed through the Camber. Senators also voted on major rewrites to existing laws, including the school code, labor laws, and an update to the recreational cannabis system.

In an effort to lift the spirits of Illinois’ senior citizen community, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is collecting Valentine’s Day cards for his newly introduced Valentine’s For Seniors Program.

In the early hours of January 13, House Bill 3653, formerly House Bill 163, a dangerous criminal justice reform proposal passed out of the Senate.

As the clock ticks down toward the end of Lame Duck Session, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) issued the following statement voicing his opposition to Democrat lawmakers’ efforts to push through radical, multibillion-dollar legislation in the limited time that remains:

Sign the petition below to express your opposition to House Bill 163, which threatens the law enforcement profession by effectively defunding police departments across Illinois.

An over 600 page amendment to House Bill 163 touted as “criminal justice reform” was filed Tuesday, January 5. The bill is expected to be taken up during the upcoming lame-duck session scheduled for January 8 through January 13.

Harrisburg, ILL—State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) issued the following statement on the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol: “I am utterly disgusted by what occurred at our nation’s Capitol building today. The violent actions perpetrated by these protesters were inexcusable and dangerous. Sadly, this underscores the reality that we have become a country deeply divided and polarized. Our right to freedom of speech is a fundamental principal that should be protected, but what happened today was not about protecting our Constitutional freedoms. Today was about extremists who took it upon themselves to incite violence and their actions are indefensible. As we reflect on today's baseless actions, my thoughts and prayers go out to those placed in harm's way." 

Legislative activity during the year was very light as a result of the Governor’s ordered shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the list of bills passed by lawmakers and signed by the Governor is, not surprisingly, very short.

A new year means new beginnings for the Rauchfuss Hill State Recreation Area, says State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and your family! My best wishes to you and your family for a blessed holiday season.

Nine Southern Illinois communities will be receiving grant funding to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts, which State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) says is exciting and encouraging news for the region.

On December 15, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered approximately $700 million in budget cuts. Governor Pritzker argued that the reductions were necessary, citing the need to compensate for a roughly $4 billion budget shortfall left in the wake of the failure of the controversial graduated income tax amendment.

Enjoy Illinois is encouraging Illinoisans to “shop local” this holiday season, highlighting Illinois-made products in its 2020 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide. From homemade fudge, caramel, and truffle assortments from Moline’s Lagomarcino’s to coffee made in Rockford by the dedicated team of local firefighters at Fire Department Coffee, the guide has something for everyone on your list. 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) have announced deadlines for competitive grant programs for the 2021 calendar year.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hiring for several of their seasonal roles related to snow and ice removal.