News

With the holiday season fast approaching, I want to take this time to wish everyone in the 59th Senate District a very happy holiday!

Beginning Friday, November 20, new statewide COVID restrictions took effect across Illinois. Under these mitigations announced by Governor J.B. Pritzker, museums and casinos in Illinois will be closed, and retail spaces will face new capacity limits. New restrictions will also impact group fitness classes and indoor sports.

On November 9, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) brought together dozens of high school students from across the 59th Senate District to participate in his annual Youth Advisory Council, a unique opportunity for area students to learn about state government and public policy.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) decided on Oct. 28 to move forward with winter basketball season despite guidelines issued from the Pritzker Administration and the Illinois Department of Public Health to postpone basketball this season.

WK&T will expand fiber broadband into unserved portions of southern Illinois thanks to a ReConnect Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The $14.9 million investment will bring fiber optic internet to portions of Pulaski, Massac, Union, Alexander and Johnson counties. The grant funding will cover $11.2 million of the project, and WK&T will pay for the remaining $3.7 million.

While Illinois has some of the strongest ethics laws on the books, many are rendered toothless because the appropriate state and local authorities can’t adequately investigate and enforce them.

In a time when several Illinois democrat legislators are making headlines for corruption charges, Illinois.

On Monday, October 26, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) will be hosting his annual sportsmen’s update with special guest, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan. The virtual event will serve as an informational update for hunters and anglers throughout Southern Illinois.

On October 19, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health placed new regional restrictions on Region 5 beginning Thursday, October 22. 

As the Fall Veto Session approaches, I need your help to put pressure on the Democrats to take up anti-corruption reform.

As Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker an​d the Illinois Department of Public Health warn that new regional restrictions could be in store for Region 5, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is encouraging residents to get tested at one of the mobile testing sites operating in October.

As the Fall Veto Session approaches, the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus is encouraging the public to sign their petition urging Democrats to end their stall tactics and take up real anti-corruption reform.

The Illinois Manufactures’ Association is partnering together with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to recognize National Manufacturers Month throughout October. The month-long celebration highlights the work of those in the manufacturing industry and the vital role it plays in Illinois.

On Oct. 6, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) was joined by Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons, Director of Tourism for the City of Vienna Phil Morris, and Brian Ziegler, Owner of Clarida & Ziegler Engineering Co., to break ground on the highly-anticipated amphitheater project in the Vienna Community Park.

In response to the continued issues of corruption and ethics violations by lawmakers, State Senator Dale Fowler is joining together with members of the Senate Republican Caucus to introduce a package of bills seeking to root out government corruption among members of the General Assembly.

On Sept. 29, energy company Vistra announced its intention to close four coal plants​ in Illinois, including the intended shutdown of the Joppa-based plant in the 59th Senate District.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing information about the upcoming Youth Firearm Deer Season taking place in a matter of weeks.

On Sept. 2, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced that several of the state’s regulated electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities have voluntarily agreed to extend their moratoriums on disconnections for residential customers.

In recognition of the importance of the 2020 Census, State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) distributed grant funding to several student groups in the 59th District for their efforts to promote and encourage engagement in the 24th census. 

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has announced the development of the Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA) Program to assist Illinois homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to reduce risks for senior citizen drivers during the COVID-19 health pandemic, the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) has announced a one-year extension of driver’s license expiration dates.

If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census, you have until September 30 to do so. Mandated by the United States Constitution, the census is a count of the United States population that takes place every ten years. The 2020 Census will be the 24th census conducted since 1790.

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is partnering together with the Friends of Taiwan Foundation, Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) and Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) to distribute masks to nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the 59th Senate District.

Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who have made special contributions to the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is partnering with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) – Division of Banking and Division of Financial Institutions to work with financial institutions in detecting and combating unemployment fraud.