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 the largest budget in state history, Madigan’s sentencing, and new taxes set for July 1st, plus a few district stops and highlights.
PRITZKER SIGNS BLOATED BUDGET
On June 16th, Gov. Pritzker signed the FY26 Budget, which spends $55.2 billion, paid for by $1 billion in tax hikes, one-time revenue streams, and fund sweeps. Under Pritzker, Illinois’ budget has increased by 38% since taking office in 2019, accounting for $15 billion in new spending.
I opposed the budget, and released the following statement:
“Governor Pritzker’s decision to sign the FY26 budget is shameful,” said Rep. Deering. “During his State of the State Address earlier this year, the Governor gave the General Assembly his word that if legislators asked to spend more, he would ask where to cut, but apparently that was a weightless sound bite.”
“Working families are worse off today. In the budget Pritzker signed, Illinois taxpayers will be responsible for paying millions for healthcare for illegal immigrants, millions for Democrat pork projects, millions for an unprecedented slush fund for Governor Pritzker, and a pay raise for lawmakers,” continued Deering. “This is unacceptable and unethical. That’s why I voted against the budget, and am deeply disappointed that the Governor signed it into law.”
Read the rest of my statement here.
DEERING JOINS LAWSUIT CHALLENGING DEMOCRATS’ UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES
It’s time for accountability. I joined my colleagues in filing a lawsuit to block the Democrats’ abuse of the rules.
“Illinois Democrats ignore our Constitutional process time and time again,” said Rep. Deering. “The Three Reading Rule is not a suggestion, it is a constitutional mandate. Governor Pritzker has the chance to make this right and veto this egregious legislation before it becomes law. He owes it to all of Illinois to take action and avoid a constitutional violation that will harm job creators and working families.”
Read the rest of my statement here.
ICYMI: DEERING SLAMS DEMOCRATS FOR $1B IN TAX HIKES
DECATUR, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) is alerting constituents to the new and increased taxes being implemented on July 1st, 2025. These changes come after Illinois’ FY26 budget, supported only by Democrats, was signed last week by Governor Pritzker, spending $55.2 billion and includes $1 billion in tax increases.
Existing taxes that will see an increase include the tax on tobacco and nicotine products and the telecommunications tax. Any nicotine and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and patches to quit smoking, will be taxed 45%. The cell phone tax will go from 7% to 8.65%.
“This is what failed leadership looks like, and you are paying the price,” Deering began. “Illinoisans are already cash-strapped and unable to keep up. Rather than cutting government waste, Democrats in Springfield raised your taxes to continue their reckless abuse of tax dollars – including money for pork projects in their districts, free handouts for illegal immigrants, and, to top it all off, a nice pay raise for themselves.”
Keep reading here.
DEERING: MADIGAN DESERVES PRISON SENTENCE, FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER, URGES ETHICS REFORM
DECATUR, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) issued the following statement after former Speaker Michael J. Madigan, who reigned for almost 40 years in the Illinois legislature, was sentenced in Federal court to 7 ½ years in prison, 3 years of probation, and a $2.5 million fine following his felony convictions on bribery conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud.
“Mike Madigan will now be in prison, where he belongs,” said Rep. Deering. “Justice has finally been served, but working families continue to pay the price with higher taxes, wasteful spending, and the stain of Madigan’s corruption will remain as long as do-nothing Democrats continue to refuse to work with Republicans to end public corruption.”
“The people of Illinois deserve a government they can trust and that is responsive to the needs of the people,” continued Deering. “Unfortunately, Democrats have repeatedly stopped Republican efforts to clean up state government and enact tough and lasting reforms to our ethics laws so that government serves the people, not the political elites. The culture of corruption that he fostered is still alive in well in Illinois politics.”
Read more here.
SAFE-T ACT FAILS YET AGAIN
This time, a former teacher accused of sexually abusing a student could not be held pre-trial because of provisions in this misguided law.
The judge in the case stated, “While this case is horrific in nature — it’s shocking, it’s appalling, it’s garnering lots of attention — I do believe under the SAFE-T Act I am tied to whether there are any conditions I can set to mitigate the risk she poses to [the boy] right now.”
Read more from the Chicago Sun-Times.
PRITZKER GRILLED BY CONGRESS OVER FAILED SANCTUARY STATE LAWS
Governor JB Pritzker appeared before the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, where he was grilled by Congressional members over Illinois’ sanctuary state laws.
Over the course of the eight-hour hearing, Gov. Pritzker and the Democratic governors of fellow sanctuary states Minnesota and New York were questioned about their support for failed sanctuary state laws that prohibit local law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens.
Keep reading here.
WELDON SPRINGS STATE PARK NAMED IDNR’S STATE PARK SPOTLIGHT
Weldon Springs State Park is a great place to go in the 88th District. Make some time to visit this gem this summer!
SUMMER READING IS UNDERWAY
My Summer Reading Program is underway! Joining is easy! Students in grades K-5 must read 8 books, have a parent or guardian verify the books were read, and then submit the form to my office. Once all submissions are received, I will send an invitation to all the summer readers to join her for a fun ice cream party!
Submissions are accepted until July 15th and can be mailed in or submitted electronically here. For more information, visit RepDeering.com.
SNAPSHOTS
DEERING VISITS BLOOMINGTON CAREER ACADEMY
I toured the Bloomington Center Academy, and I am thrilled that such a place exists for our students! Director Bryce Hansen runs an incredible school with 4 fantastic goals for every kid who enters:
1. Choose the best post secondary path for you
2. Explore a career
3. Learn a marketable skill
4. Put something in your pocket (dual credit and/or industry certification)
DEERING TOURS RIVIAN FACILITY IN BLOOMINGTON
I toured the Rivian Training Center in Bloomington where our conversation revolved around workforce development in and how we can collaborate to recruit, train, and hire excellent employees in the manufacturing industry. Hugh and the Rivian team were excited to showcase their facility and give us an up-close look at their vehicles from the inside out. My new favorite EV term might be “frunk.”
RE-DEDICATION MEMORIAL FOR Pfc. ROBERT C. BURKE MEMORIAL PARK IN MONTICELLO
It was my honor to attend the re-dedication of Pfc. Robert C. Burke Memorial Park in Monticello. There was a moving program commemorating the local 18 year-old Marine’s heroic conduct in combat during the Vietnam War.
TEAM DEERING HELPS WITH BELLFLOWER CLEAN UP DAY
My staff helped Bellflower during their annual community clean up day hauling old appliances, mowing yards, and being the kind neighbors that our small Midwestern towns are known for worldwide.
DEERING ATTENDS ROUNDTABLE AT DOWNS AMERICAN LEGION POST 1150
Respecting and caring for our veterans is mission critical. They have given so much, and we must honor them. When I review state level policies as a State Representative, I always ask, how will this impact veterans.
I was grateful to be invited to this month’s meeting at the Downs American Legion Post 1150 to share my experiences at the Capitol and talk through impacts to our veterans, as well as answer questions. We discussed the new VA Secretary, health insurance coverage, the possibility of tiny homes for Vets and various local issues.
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