Welcome to my e-newsletter!
As your 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 recent disappointing bill signings, nuclear renewals that will promote economic development in the 88th District, how to secure a museum pass to select Chicago area museums, and some snapshots from my time in the district this month.
DEERING: ILLINOIS FAMILIES FEEL THE COST OF LIVING, NOT PRITZKER’S SPIN
In response to the Governor’s Office releasing a list of self-congratulatory accomplishments, I issued the following statement to inject a dose of reality into the conversation:
“Governor Pritzker might be taking a victory lap in press releases, but families in my district are struggling to keep their heads above water,” said Rep. Deering. “You can’t spin your way out of the fact that life in Illinois is becoming unaffordable for the average family.”
While Pritzker focuses on national headlines, Illinois families are drowning under the highest property taxes in the nation, sky-rocketing costs of utilities and groceries, the highest combined state and local tax burden, and high unemployment rates. This is nothing to gloat about, Governor.
Continue reading my statement here.
DEERING DISAPPOINTED BY GOVERNOR’S DECISION TO SIGN PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE INTO LAW
On December 12, Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation allowing assisted suicide to become law. The legislation, SB 1950, faced significant objections from coroners, medical experts, religious communities, and disability-rights advocates. Throughout debate, concerns were raised about the bill’s lack of guardrails, the exclusion of key stakeholders, and the potential risks it creates for vulnerable families.
In response, I released the following statement:
“As a pro-life legislator, I am extremely disappointed in Governor Pritzker’s decision to sign this bill into law which compromises the sanctity of life,” began Rep. Deering. “Aside from my moral objections, it has serious practical problems. Since this medication is self-administered, once it leaves the pharmacy, there is no telling who will have access to the fatal medication. That gravely concerns me, considering the ongoing mental health crisis affecting our communities.”
In addition to issues with who can access the prescription, Rep. Deering raises concerns regarding coercion of the most vulnerable populations and the precedent this new law sets in Illinois.
“I am also worried about how this new law will affect conversations with the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill populations,” continued Rep. Deering. “With the option to prematurely end the lives of our most vulnerable, I worry of an influx of coercion and abuse tactics to get these individuals to take the medication. The safeguards included in the new law simply don’t go far enough and that can lead to a very dangerous and slippery slope.”
Read my entire statement here.
DEERING PLEASED WITH NUCLEAR RENEWALS, ENSURING 20 MORE YEARS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CLINTON
Recently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a 20-year initial license renewal for Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center in Clinton and a 20-year subsequent license renewal for Dresden Clean Energy Center in Morris.
In response to the news, I used the following statement:
“This is fantastic news for Illinois,” began Rep. Deering. “Our state’s energy policies have left the industry in shambles, but I am pleased to hear about the NRC’s decision to continue to issue licenses and renewals for nuclear energy. We need stable, reliable, and affordable energy to keep up with the growing demand, and this decision will help to offset some of the horrendous energy policies that have come out of Springfield.”
“Not only is this a win for energy, but it’s also a win for jobs and economic development,” continued Rep. Deering. “This decision means 20 more years of stable jobs and economic growth across Illinois. I appreciate Constellation’s commitment to continue to invest in Illinois.”
The approvals allow the Clinton plant to operate through 2047, and the Dresden reactors to operate through 2049 and 2051. Thanks to the initial and subsequential license renewals, Constellation states that more than 2,200 jobs and $8.1 billion federal, state, and local tax dollars will be preserved.
To continue reading, click here.
DEERING APPALLED AFTER GOV. SIGNS DOWNSTATE BAILOUT OF CHICAGO MASS TRANSIT
After rushing the bill through during Veto Session, Governor Pritzker signed SB 2111, a measure to bailout Chicago’s mass transit system.
The new law diverts $1 billion from Illinois’ road fund, followed by an additional $473 million annually from downstate roads and bridges, to fund Chicagoland mass transit. In addition to the fund sweeps, the measure raises tolls by 60% for passenger vehicles and 30% for commercial vehicles and takes a percentage from the motor fuel tax.
To show my continued disdain for the legislation, I issued the following statement:
“Only in Illinois do Democrats take a solvable problem and turn it into massive tax hikes on Illinois families,” began Rep. Deering. “This legislation was rushed, turning a $230 million shortfall into a $2.5 billion solution. In order to pay for the City of Chicago’s mess, Illinoisans will see taxes and tolls raised. It’s unfair to downstate Illinoisans whose tax dollars are diverted to bail out yet another mess created by Chicago’s perpetual mismanagement.”
“Not only is this unnecessarily expensive, but it raids the road fund and uses downstate tax dollars to bail out a system many of my constituents will never use,” continued Rep. Deering. “With the fund sweeps up to Chicago, I am worried that my district and so many others in downstate Illinois will not get the promised and needed road construction and maintenance. Thanks to Chicago’s failures, now this is every Illinoisan’s problem.”
Watch the debate from the House Floor below.
PRITZKER EXPANDS ILLINOIS’ FAILED SANCTUARY STATE POLICIES
During the fall Veto Session, the Democrat supermajority acted against the federal government’s effort to crack down on illegal immigration in Illinois. Democrats passed, and this week Gov. Pritzker signed into law, House Bill 1312 which further expands Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policies.
Due to the Biden Administration’s disastrous open-border policy, there are now 550,000 illegal immigrants living in Illinois. At President Trump’s direction, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, recently conducted an immigration enforcement action known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Illinois Democrats responded to the DHS/ICE operation with the passage of HB 1312, which expands Illinois’ failed sanctuary state policies by creating Immigration Enforcement-Free Zones in and around courthouses, daycare facilities, hospitals, and college campuses. It allows illegal immigrants to sue police and immigration agents, including allowing immigrants to recover punitive damages from law enforcement and immigration officials.
I was a strong NO vote to this legislation as it continues to tie the hands of our law enforcement officers, while protecting illegal migrants.
Read more about the new law here.
PRITZKER’S SANCTUARY ILLINOIS RELEASED MORE THAN 1,700 CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul calling on him to put the safety of Americans first and honor ICE arrest detainers of the more than 4,000 criminal illegal aliens in the state’s custody including murderers, sexual predators, and those convicted of or charged with weapons offenses.
Illinois’ failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 1,768 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. The crimes of these aliens include 5 homicides, 141 assaults, 23 burglaries, 4 robberies, 24 dangerous drugs offenses, 15 weapons offenses, and 10 sexual predatory offenses.
There are currently 4,015 aliens in the custody of an Illinois jurisdiction with an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 51 homicides, 1,134 assaults, 107 burglaries, 36 robberies, 275 dangerous drugs offenses, 120 weapons offenses, and 813 sexual predatory offenses.
In September, ICE sent a letter to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul asking for cooperation in honoring ICE detainers on criminal illegal aliens. His office did not respond.
FEES COMING IN FEBRUARY FOR AIR TRAVELERS WITHOUT REAL ID OR OTHER ACCEPTABLE ID
Until now, people at airport security checkpoints who present an old-fashioned, non-compliant state drivers’ license or state ID card have been subject to a brief supplemental security check, and then have been allowed through the checkpoint without further trouble. However, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has now announced plans to charge a $45 fee upon non-REAL ID air travelers.
The fee, which will become effective on February 1, 2026, is described as recompense to TSA for the supplemental security check procedure. The TSA fee will be supplemental to all other costs to the traveler for the flight. Illinoisans who are legal residents in the U.S. will continue to be able to apply for, and get, a compliant REAL ID card to avoid the additional fee. In addition, other compliant forms of U.S. identification, such as passports and permanent resident cards, will continue to be compliant with TSA requirements at airports.
To learn more, visit ilsos.gov.
LOOKING FOR FUN OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK?
Looking for something fun to do over Christmas break? Families in the 88th District can request an admission pass from my office to visit select Chicago area museums for FREE! The pass covers general admission costs for 4 guests and is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
To reserve the pass, please call my office at (217) 876-1968 or email at [email protected].
OFFICE CLOSURE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
My office will be closed from Monday, December 22nd until Monday, January 5th to allow my staff to enjoy the holidays with their families. In the meantime, please feel free to leave our office a message by calling (217) 876-1968 or emailing [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we return on January 5th.
DEERING WISHES THE 88TH DISTRICT A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. I hope your day is spent with those that mean the most.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we close out the year, I want to thank you all for your trust as I fight for you in Springfield. It is an honor to serve the 88th House District and I am looking forward to 2026.
SNAPSHOTS
DEERING HOSTS SUCCESSFUL MOBILE DMV EVENT IN FORSYTH
Thank you to the Forsyth Public Library and the Illinois Secretary of State for your partnership with a terrific Mobile DMV event! We were able to help 35 constituents with DMV-related services. Thank you to everyone who came out.
DEERING NAMED A 2025 PRAIRIE STATE POLICY CHAMPION BY AFP-IL
On December 5th, I was presented with a 2025 Prairie State Policy Champion award from Americans for Prosperity-Illinois. The award is given to legislators who lead the fight to rein in government spending, ease Illinois’ state tax burden, protect homeschoolers, and empower educational choices.
I am proud to be recognized by AFP for my commitment to making Illinois a better place for families and businesses. I will continue to fight against the Democrats’ outrageous policies and keep advocating for affordable, common-sense legislation that does not compromise the rights of Illinoisans.
DEERING SPONSORS FAMILY SKATE NIGHT IN DECATUR
Earlier this month, I was proud to sponsor the family skate night during the Christmas Walk in downtown Decatur. It was a great family-friendly event and I was happy to see so many in attendance.
DEERING MEETS WITH FARM BUREAU DISTRICTS
I was pleased to attend the Illinois Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Chicago this year and had the opportunity to speak at Districts’ 7 and 11 meetings. District 7 serves McLean County and District 11 serves DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties.
MEETING WITH DECATUR DOWNS DEVELOPER
I attended a local meeting with Decatur Downs racino developer and received some insight on the proposed project. I had the opportunity to discuss the legislation and my effort to build support for it in the Spring.
DEERING JOINS IN ON CCSI-CASE COORDINATION UNIT’S MONTHLY MEETING
I was grateful to join the CCSI- Case Coordination Unit for their monthly meeting alongside many area agencies advocating for our seniors. It was a great opportunity to learn about the many resources available and to continue to build relationships in McLean County. As part of the meeting, guest speaker Nikki of Chestnut Health Systems shared information about Narcan (naloxone) use in case of an emergency opioid overdose.
VISIT TO MUELLER FOUNDRY IN DECATUR
Although I missed the ribbon cutting, I had the privilege of receiving a fabulous tour of the new Mueller foundry in Decatur. It is a great operation, employing over 200 staff of skilled laborers, creating quality products. I had the opportunity to speak with Kenny, an employee who is coming up on his 48th year of dedicated work. I am so grateful for the investment in our community.
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!
