The murder of Sonya Massey shook our community and the nation. I have a generational relationship with the Massey family – and I also represent the district where this tragic murder occurred. I immediately got to work, talking with community members and law enforcement officials. In partnership with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, we came together to pass bipartisan legislation to address hiring practices for police officers. Prospective officers will now have to undergo a more comprehensive review before hiring. We all want good officers on the street, and this is an important step toward that goal. 

Sonya Massey’s murder brought more to light than just police hiring practices. The community needed an outlet to make their voices heard. Together with Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission. The commission is in direct response to thoughtful comments from the community after Sonya’s tragic death. The commission is committed to leading a process for the community to listen, learn, act and find real solutions. 

A constituent from Chatham who owns property in Decatur came to me after being a victim of deed fraud. After having conversations, it was clear that a notification system was needed when a deed has been filed on their property. I passed a bill to do just that. County recorders will now establish a fraud referral and review process and a fraud alert system. 

State employees play a vital role in the day to day operations of the state. That’s why I worked with AFSCME to allow a collective bargaining agreement to a provision that enhances employee rights for state university employees. 

As chair of the Senate Agriculture committee, I’ve had the opportunity to work first hand with farmers and agriculture industry stakeholders from across the state. I’m proud to be a voice for our farmers, working to improve their lives while building the pipeline within the ag industry 

From allowing students to get school hours for FFA and 4-H events and competitions, to ensuring that school districts pay agriculture teachers 100% of their regular pay rate for the extra hours teaching agricultural education, I’ve been a strong supporter of ag education. 

I was able to secure funding to allow all FFA students to participate without paying a fee. With this, we’ve seen an increase of 18,000 students since 2022, a 78% increase, who can now get hands-on learning experience in the agriculture industry. 

I spent my career in healthcare, and there’s nothing more important to me than making sure everyone has high quality, affordable access to care. I’ve seen firsthand the disparities that still exist in our healthcare system. 

After Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed limiting the duration of anesthesia, I got to work. Illinois residents can rest assured that won’t happen to them. Now, insurance companies are required to cover anesthesia, regardless of the duration. 

As we continue to work to end the stigma around mental health, I’m working to increase access to resources. Teachers are often a student’s confidant, going to them for support 

in a crisis. That’s why I passed a law to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs. Having these resources on hand will help students and teachers easily provide essential mental health services that we have available here in Illinois. 

 I believe education is the foundation on which community is built. We need to make sure our children receive a quality education so they’re able to grow up to find good jobs that support their families. That’s why I support fully funding our schools and paying our teachers fairly for the important work they do. 

This year, I sponsored legislation to make higher education scholarships more accessible. Scholarships existing in one location eases the burden for families looking to save money while sending their student to college. 

Giving students real life experiences in the building and trades industry can set them on a path toward a good paying job after graduation. I worked to give District 186 students the opportunity to learn practical skills and understand various construction-related fields. These courses, hosted at Lanphier High School, offer hands-on training and theoretical instruction to prepare students for careers in the workforce, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and masonry. 

 Taking care of our seniors is near and dear to my heart. Everyone deserves to age with dignity. From monthly senior bingos to annual senior fairs, my office regularly conducts outreach to senior facilities and organizes other activities to help take care of the seniors in our communities. 

After hearing from nursing home residents, it became clear that they were being targeted by insurance companies. I worked to make it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility for a service they already have. 

Bringing investments to the 48th District that make residents’ lives better is my top priority. From roads and bridges, to small businesses, investing in Central Illinois is a direct investment into the job sector and local economy. 

I invested funds across the 48th District to update the infrastructure people rely on to travel to work, visit their families and much more. Sangamon County received $4.8 million, the Village of Chatham received $2.8 million, the city of Decatur received $3.5 million, the city of Springfield received $4.2 million, the Village of Stonington received $150,000, and Jerome Township received $1.1 million.