Welcome to my e-newsletter!
As your newly elected State Representative, I want to provide you with updates about what is going on in Springfield and around the 88th.
In this issue, I discuss some of the latest legislative proposals and initiatives that have been filed so far and my thoughts on them. We are still only about halfway through the Spring legislative Session, so not too much legislation has moved.
To view the full Session calendar, click here.
DISTRICT OFFICE
My team and I are here to serve you. Please feel welcome to visit my District Office at 419 E. Ash Ave, in Decatur, or contact me at (217) 876-1968 or at RepDeering.com.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
For the 104th General Assembly, I am serving on the following committees:
- Appropriations-General Services
- Adoption and Welfare
- Counties and Townships
- Economic Opportunity and Equity
- Energy and Environment
- Transportation Vehicle Safety
I am honored to serve on these six committees and through them do the work of the people in the 88th District. We need a booming economy, reliable roads, and energy independence—not more red tape and reckless spending. These committee assignments give me the chance to work on some of the most important issues facing our families.
One assignment is deeply personal to me: Adoption and Welfare.
I was adopted at just three days old, so I have felt the life-changing impact of that personal decision by my birth mother. I know the blessings and challenges that come with adoption, and I will work to ensure that families in Illinois have the resources and support they need to make positive, life-changing choices. Every child should be given every opportunity to grow and thrive, just as I was blessed to be given.
These assignments will allow me to bring my background into the legislature to better serve in the House of Representatives. I am committed to advancing common sense policies and delivering real results for working families.
STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS
On February 19th, Governor Pritzker delivered his State of the State and Budget Address to a joint legislative session.
The Governor’s total FY26 proposed budget is over $55 billion, nearly a $2 billion increase compared to last year’s budget. Throughout the first half of his speech, I almost thought I was listening to a common-sense Republican. Comments included things like hard sacrifices were made and spending was moderate as we must live within our means. He suggested that we were doing more with less and delivering for residents without raising their taxes. How clueless does he think we are?
The reality is the House, Senate, and Governor’s offices are controlled by Democrats who for the last several years have rubber-stamped record spending budgets and failed Sanctuary State policies. For months, the Democrats cancel committee meetings, stall all spring and then in the final hours jam in tax increases to balance the budget with no regard for Republican input. So much for working together.”
The Governor noted that some in both parties suggest going along to get along is the preferred method of governance, when it does not work. Deals are made and promises are broken. He said he won’t be fooled and neither will I.
Taking a direct hit at President Trump, Governor Pritzker noted that we don’t have kings in America, and he doesn’t intend to bend the knee to one. How quickly he must have forgotten his reign during the Covid-19 panic, where over three years he issued 112 executive orders, shutting down our businesses, locking our kids out of school and depriving us of our individual freedoms.
The people of Illinois, those who have yet to leave and love to call this great state home, want a government that works for them.”
The time to act is now. Illinois families deserve better. Let’s come together around priorities of lowering the cost of living, reducing costs and no new tax increases.
To watch my video statement, click here.
HOMESCHOOL FREEDOM
In a press conference earlier this month, along with colleagues, I advocated in support of Homeschool Freedom and against the Homeschool Act, HB 2827.
HB 2827, the Homeschool Act is legislation that makes significant changes to homeschooling programs by creating intrusive mandates and over-regulation by implementing requirements for homeschool programs and curriculum. The legislation also tasks the Illinois State Board of Education with creating a “Homeschool Declaration Form”, which if not completed and submitted, will result in the student being considered truant.
As a parent, former educator, school board member, and former owner of a tutoring and test preparation business, I know that every student learns differently and responds to different methods of instruction. Homeschooling is an incredible asset that can open up those opportunities and allow a child to flourish. The bill in question today takes away that freedom, and that opportunity for students who learn differently to succeed.
If we are going to talk about fixing problems with education, let’s zoom out on education as a whole: from unprecedented teacher shortages, intense levels of bullying and violence, and extreme cases where schools are committing educational neglect in public education. Public education is full of government mandates and plenty of dollars, yet kids are still performing way below grade level in basic skills like reading, writing, and math. Those are real issues that merit solutions.
To show opposition for HB 2827, I have launched a Homeschool Freedom petition, which may be accessed here: https://www.ilhousegop.org/deering_homeschool_petition
To watch the video of the press conference, see below:
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
In honor of Women’s History Month, I chose to highlight the achievements of Justice Lisa Holder White, a Decatur native and the first Black woman to sit on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Justice Holder White’s remarkable rise and ascendance to the high court is testament to her hard work and unwavering commitment to the people of Illinois.
Watch my Floor speech here.
CURRENT ILLINOIS FLAG WINS
The public overwhelmingly favors retaining the current state flag, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced following the five-week voting period to consider a redesign of the flag.
Of the nearly 385,000 votes that were received, over 165,000, or 43 percent, were cast for the current Illinois State flag, which received more votes than the next five top designs combined.
REMAP LAWSUIT
On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie was joined by State Representatives Ryan Spain and Dan Ugaste for a press conference in the State Capitol to discuss their latest litigation effort to combat legislative gerrymandering. McCombie, in her official capacity, filed a lawsuit with the Illinois Supreme Court to declare the current map unconstitutional and ask for a special master to draft a redistricting plan that complies with the Illinois Constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court has given the responsibility of ending extreme partisan gerrymandering to the states, and now Illinois will potentially join other states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina who have had redistricting plans struck down on the basis of identical or comparable constitutional provisions.
McCombie’s lawsuit filed this week will address the 2021 enacted maps at the state level and challenge two key features of the maps: the compactness of the districts (Article IV, Section 3) and the partisan gerrymandering (Article III, Section 3).
The newly filed brief, initial complaint, and expert analysis can be found at RedoRemap.com.
DEERING CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE OF GIRLS SAFETY IN SPORTS
Last week, I stood up for protecting women and girls in sports. I have filed HB 1117, a measure to keep girls safe in school sports by requiring the school teams to be designated as female, male, or coeducational.
This is a bipartisan issue. As a mother to daughters who play sports, I share the same passion of leaving our kids alone, which is why I will continue to advocate for this issue.
I want girls and women in the 88th District and across Illinois to know that I have their backs.
Watch my video reaction below.
MY LEGISLATION
To keep up with what I am filing in the General Assembly, see my legislation by clicking here.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Thank you for reading my e-newsletter! To keep in touch, follow me on Facebook and sign-up for email updates from my website.
It is an honor to serve you. I want to keep an open line of communication, so please do not hesitate to reach out.
Talk to you soon!
Rep. Regan Deering