NW Illinois News

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," which introduces significant changes to U.S. election procedures. The order mandates that individuals must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, requires all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day to be counted, and threatens to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with these requirements.

Senator Andrew Chesney supports this executive order and is sponsoring legislation to protect the integrity of elections in Illinois. His 2025 election integrity legislation includes requiring all voters to show a government-issued photo ID or a Voter Identification Card before voting. A proposed constitutional amendment would require all Illinois voters to show photo ID when voting both in person and by mail.

Additional legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans includes an overhaul of Illinois' election laws, requiring valid photo ID with current address, eliminating ballot drop boxes, shortening early voting to 14 days, ending same-day voter registration, and scaling back vote-by-mail. They also propose timely reporting of mail-in and early vote results, requiring anyone who registers to vote on election day to cast a provisional ballot, and tightening voter registration requirements.

Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois would not follow the President's executive order. All Senate Republican measures have been blocked from consideration by Pritzker and Democrat allies.

Democrat lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow convicted sex offenders to live closer to schools, playgrounds, and childcare facilities. Currently, registered offenders cannot live within 500 feet of these facilities. Senate Bill 2254 would reduce the distance to 250 feet. The legislation would also lower penalties for violations of registries from felonies to misdemeanors and reduce the registration period for certain registrants. Senate Republicans argue that more should be done to hold offenders accountable, including filing Senate Bill 284, which proposes closing loopholes and imposing stricter restrictions.

Senator Chesney announced that five fire protection districts in the 45th Senate District have been awarded Small Equipment Grants from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. These grants, up to $26,000 each, will help purchase needed equipment like turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatuses for the following departments: Apple River, Davis, Lanark, Milledgeville, and Rock City Fire Protection Districts.