News

Before legislators return to the Capitol on Nov. 12 for the final week of the fall Veto Session, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) stayed busy in District.

The Senate Republican Caucus took action this week to restore public trust in an honest and ethical state government.

For news this week, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) recently represented Southern Illinois as part of a legislative delegation to visit China, toured a local business seeking to expand operations and hosted his annual Sportsmen and Outdoorsmen’s Caucus for residents.

With farmers headed back to the fields, Sen. Fowler spent time learning more about Southern Illinois’ agriculture by partnering with the Williamson County Farm Bureau to tour two locally-owned farms. Earlier in the week, Sen. Fowler visited Tom Miller’s farm and Gary Bundren’s Farm to check out their operations and learn more about their work in the industry.

On October 10, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) welcomed dozens of high school students from across the 59th Senate District to his annual Youth Advisory Council, a unique, hands-on opportunity for area students to learn about and experience state government and public policy.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) spent time in district this week, welcoming veterans back from another Southern Illinois Honor Flight, presenting a check on behalf of the Illinois Senate Sportsmen’s Caucus and touring state facilities across the district undergoing improvement and renovations.

As Veterans Day approaches, and we look for ways to honor Illinois veterans and tell their incredible stories, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is asking constituents to submit a photo and tribute to a loved one who has served in the United States Armed Forces to be displayed on the Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois State Capitol Nov. 4-15.

After a rough and delayed planting season, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is sharing some good news for Illinois’ agriculture industry.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is encouraging everyone to do their part to keep farmers safe as harvest season approaches by recognizing National Farm Safety and Health Week from September 15 through the 21.

School visitation law reminder, employers must provide leave for parents Students are back in school, and parent-teacher conferences are around the corner, which is why the State of Illinois is reminding parents of its school visitation law. Since 1993, Illinois has had a law providing for unpaid leave for employees to attend school conferences or classroom activities of their children when such events cannot be rescheduled during non-work hours. The School Visitation Rights Act stresses the importance of and promotes the involvement of parents in their children's schooling. A school visitation rights leave form is available on the Illinois Department of Labor's website: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/forms/Documents/School%20Visitation%20Leave%20Form.PDF. September is National Preparedness Month in Illinois September is National Preparedness Month, which seeks to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local emergency managers are encouraging Illinoisans to take time to prepare for potential emergencies at homes, at work, and in the community. Having a plan that includes where to go and how to communicate during disasters, building an emergency supply kit and learning lifesaving skills could help your family, friends, neighbors and employees during a disaster. Here are five steps your family can take to be prepared: • Save Early for a Disaster: Make sure you have financial savings should a disaster or emergency occur. • Learn Lifesaving Skills: Learn skills such as CPR and first aid techniques so that you can provide aid until help arrives. • Make a Plan for When a Disaster Strikes: Make a plan for your family, so you all know what to do when a disaster strikes. • Teach Youth how to Prepare for Disasters: Get kids involved in building their own emergency kit. Make sure to include your child's favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster. • Get Involved in Community Preparedness: Check in with your neighbors to see how you can help each other before, during and after a storm. You can also bolster your community's resiliency efforts by joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERTs train volunteers to prepare for various emergencies and disasters.

To celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) joined Thomason Express Trucking Company to learn more about the Southern Illinois-based business and raise awareness about the critical role of truck drivers.

In news for the 59th District, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) visited local businesses, surveyed flooding damage in Old Shawneetown and shared exciting news concerning the Tamms Correctional Center.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) hopes the Tamms Minimum Security Unit will see renewed purpose under his legislation that was signed in to law on Friday, August 23. House Bill 210 seeks to identify potential uses of the currently-unoccupied Tamms Correctional Center.

This week, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) joined a local business for an expansion announcement, spoke with representatives from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and attended the Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) has been spending time in District, recently touring the Marion Wellness School Health Center, attending a ribbon cutting ceremony in Carbondale and meeting with constituents.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) welcomed local businesses and consumers to his second-annual Southern Illinois Expo over the weekend.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is partnering with several other state officials to host a free Senior Health Fair on July 24 at the Carbondale Civic Center.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) welcomed dozens of area children and their parents to his first-ever Kids Fishing Derby on July 13.

This week, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) hosted his annual Veteran’s Advisory Committee in Marion, bringing together veterans and veteran advocates from around the 59th District to discuss issues impacting our servicemen and women.

The spring legislative session came to an end on June 2 with lawmakers taking up debate on a number of controversial issues, including a devastating measure that expands legal abortions in Illinois and the disappointing approval of 2.4 percent cost-of-living adjustment to legislators’ base salaries. State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) voted against the $1,600-per-year salary increase when it ca

On June 2, Senate lawmakers passed a capital infrastructure package that directs hundreds of millions in funding toward projects in Southern Illinois, a balanced budget that includes critical funding for the Cairo river port terminal and gaming expansion legislation that enables the Walkers Bluff winery to move forward with resort expansion.

On May 31, Democrat lawmakers voted to pass a controversial measure that would expand abortion coverage and access in Illinois.

Despite the looming end of the regularly scheduled spring legislative session with its scheduled May 31 adjournment rapidly approaching, it appears a great deal of work remains on several controversial issues.

Seeking to repurpose the currently-unoccupied Tamms Correctional Center, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) sponsored legislation to create the Tamms Minimum Security Unit Task Force.

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.