NW Illinois News

State Representative Bradley J. Fritts has been busy engaging with the community and addressing important legislative matters in District 74. From visiting schools to discussing economic development, Fritts is committed to serving his constituents.

During a visit to Montmorency School in Rock Falls, Fritts had the opportunity to interact with the faculty and staff and witness their dedication to education. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "It was such a pleasure to speak with the faculty and staff and to see them in action during the school day!"

Fritts also visited Sauk Valley Community College, where he was impressed by the institution's innovative training centers for law enforcement officers and healthcare workers. He commended the college, saying, "One of the highlights of this tour was seeing SVCC’s innovative training centers used to teach our next generation of law enforcement officers and healthcare workers."

As a graduate of Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Dixon, Fritts returned for Catholic Schools Week and spent the day playing Illinois trivia with current students. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed his honor, stating, "As a graduate of Saint Mary’s, it was an honor to return and spend the day playing Illinois trivia with current students!"

Fritts also attended the annual dinner for the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, where he celebrated the chamber's 5-star status, placing them in the top 1% of chambers nationwide. He congratulated the chamber, saying, "Congratulations to the Sauk Valley Chamber on this well-deserved recognition!"

During a visit to East Coloma-Nelson Elementary School in Rock Falls, Fritts was given a tour of the campus and learned about the remarkable work being done by the faculty and staff. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thank you to the faculty and staff who gave me a tour of the campus and told me more about the incredible work they do on a daily basis!"

Fritts also met with the DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau to discuss their efforts in attracting more visitors to the area. Recognizing the positive impact on local businesses and economic development, he emphasized the importance of their work.

Another visit took Fritts to Northern Illinois University, where he received updates on student enrollment, financial aid programs, and the university's budget. Together, they discussed legislative priorities to ensure the thriving of higher education in Illinois.

In his January local business highlight, Fritts chose to recognize Total Construction Services in Sterling for their extensive community outreach efforts. He commended the company, saying, "That kind of spirit is what a small town community is all about – helping our neighbors when they need us most."

Total Construction Services, founded by Troy Hernandez in 2014, offers residential and commercial construction services, along with other services such as dumpster and snow removal. For more information, interested individuals can visit their website at TotalConstructionServices.us or contact their office at (815) 213-7250.

Turning to an important legislative matter, Fritts addressed House Bill 4107, which proposes the return of land at Shabbona Lake State Park to the Potawatomi Nation. Fritts explained the historical background, stating, "In 1829, a Federal Treaty between the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the United States Government allowed the Potawatomi Nation to maintain 1,280 acres of land in what is now DeKalb County." He further explained that the agreement was never fulfilled, leading to the sale of the land by the U.S. government. Fritts emphasized that the proposed land transfer would not disrupt or challenge the land of current homeowners.

To gather feedback from residents living within a 15-mile radius of Shabbona State Park, Fritts has requested their input through a survey. He hopes to best serve his constituents by considering their opinions on this legislation.

In closing, Fritts encouraged constituents to reach out to him if they plan to visit Springfield, as he is always available to meet with them. He emphasized the importance of transparency in government and expressed his commitment to being accountable to his constituents.

For further updates on Fritts' legislative efforts and to contact his office, interested individuals can visit his website. They can also follow him on Facebook for more frequent updates.

State Representative Bradley J. Fritts continues to work diligently to pass bills in Springfield and serve the people of District 74.