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This week I had the pleasure of welcoming three outstanding groups of student athletes to the Illinois State Capitol. The University of Illinois men’s basketball, men’s wheelchair basketball and women’s wheelchair basketball teams visited the Senate Chamber to celebrate their respective and impressive 2026 Final Four runs. It was an honor to have such driven, passionate teams visit Springfield, not only to celebrate their accomplishments but also to highlight the importance of athletics for our students and broader communities.

This week I had the pleasure of welcoming three outstanding groups of student athletes to the Illinois State Capitol. The University of Illinois men’s basketball, men’s wheelchair basketball and women’s wheelchair basketball teams visited the Senate Chamber to celebrate their respective and impressive 2026 Final Four runs. It was an honor to have such driven, passionate teams visit Springfield, not only to celebrate their accomplishments but also to highlight the importance of athletics for our students and broader communities.

On Thursday, May 14, beginning at 9 a.m., Ameren is hosting a series of Community Development Workshops for income-qualified customers at the Danville YMCA, located at 1111 N. Vermilion St. in Danville. Attendees will be able to learn more about Ameren’s clean energy programs and meet with the team, as well as have a chance to earn a $200 direct energy bill credit. As space will be limited, the event is first-come, first-serve. Learn more in the graphic above!

On Tuesday, May 12, beginning at 9 a.m., Ameren is hosting a series of Community Development Workshops for income-qualified customers at the Leonhard Recreation Center, located at 2307 Sangamon Dr. in Champaign. Attendees will be able to learn more about Ameren’s clean energy programs and meet with the team, as well as have a chance to earn a $200 direct energy bill credit. As space will be limited, the event is first-come, first-serve. Learn more in the graphic above!

I was honored to join Danielle Mallett, an educator with the Stratton Academy of the Arts, in her Champaign classroom this week to present a Senate Proclamation in celebration of her receiving the 2026 Bilingual Teacher of the Year Award from the Illinois State Board of Education! Teachers across our state are stepping up every day to make a difference in our students’ lives, and I am proud to see an educator in our community be recognized for this tireless dedication and commitment to our youth. Not only were my staff and I moved by Ms. Mallett, but we were also impressed by the children in her classroom. She has worked very hard, and it showed — her students were kind, well behaved and clearly adored their teacher. It was such a heartwarming experience!

Happy Doctors' Day to all the doctors working to keep us and our loved ones healthy. Thank you for your dedication, skill and unwavering commitment to our communities!

With this week marking 10 years since the tragic passing of Champaign native Christian Sheehan, the Champaign Fire Department has been busy supporting fire safety efforts around the community. Thanks to state funding I secured last year, as well as support from the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Foundation, CFD was able to obtain a new UTV, which they took to the streets to share fire prevention, education and safety materials with residents in 30 different homes.

During the outing, CFD installed 28 smoke detectors in seven houses and tested alarms in several others, and we are fortunate the additional resources made available through this grant will allow the department to continue offering this vital service for years to come. I was honored to help secure this much-needed funding for CFD and the Foundation to ensure they continue their operations in the Champaign community, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the Sheehan family – who has selflessly turned unimaginable pain into purpose – for playing an instrumental role in the procurement process and saving countless lives.

With this week marking 10 years since the tragic passing of Champaign native Christian Sheehan, the Champaign Fire Department has been busy supporting fire safety efforts around the community. Thanks to state funding I secured last year, as well as support from the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Foundation, CFD was able to obtain a new UTV, which they took to the streets to share fire prevention, education and safety materials with residents in 30 different homes.

During the outing, CFD installed 28 smoke detectors in seven houses and tested alarms in several others, and we are fortunate the additional resources made available through this grant will allow the department to continue offering this vital service for years to come. I was honored to help secure this much-needed funding for CFD and the Foundation to ensure they continue their operations in the Champaign community, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the Sheehan family – who has selflessly turned unimaginable pain into purpose – for playing an instrumental role in the procurement process and saving countless lives.

With this week marking 10 years since the tragic passing of Champaign native Christian Sheehan, the Champaign Fire Department has been busy supporting fire safety efforts around the community. Thanks to state funding I secured last year, as well as support from the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Foundation, CFD was able to obtain a new UTV, which they took to the streets to share fire prevention, education and safety materials with residents in 30 different homes.

During the outing, CFD installed 28 smoke detectors in seven houses and tested alarms in several others, and we are fortunate the additional resources made available through this grant will allow the department to continue offering this vital service for years to come. I was honored to help secure this much-needed funding for CFD and the Foundation to ensure they continue their operations in the Champaign community, and I’d like to express my gratitude to the Sheehan family – who has selflessly turned unimaginable pain into purpose – for playing an instrumental role in the procurement process and saving countless lives.

Yesterday I joined my colleagues in the General Assembly by wearing purple in support of the over 250,000 Illinoisans living with dementia and the more than 300,000 individuals who care for them. Thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Day of Action, I am hearing from advocates in our communities on how we can best work together to make our state dementia capable. #ENDALZ

Yesterday I joined my colleagues in the General Assembly by wearing purple in support of the over 250,000 Illinoisans living with dementia and the more than 300,000 individuals who care for them. Thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Day of Action, I am hearing from advocates in our communities on how we can best work together to make our state dementia capable. #ENDALZ

Yesterday I joined my colleagues in the General Assembly by wearing purple in support of the over 250,000 Illinoisans living with dementia and the more than 300,000 individuals who care for them. Thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Day of Action, I am hearing from advocates in our communities on how we can best work together to make our state dementia capable. #ENDALZ

Happy International Women’s Day! Today and every day, let’s strive to uplift the incredible female leaders in our lives working to make our world a better place.

Today I joined legislators in wearing red to stand up for women's heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for women, yet less than 50% of women recognize the true threat of this disease to their health. Learn about the warning signs and prevention tips by visiting goredforwomen.org.

It was such a joy and an honor to meet Gladys and celebrate her 100th birthday with her, her wonderful family and friends. People traveled from all across the country to be part of the occasion. Gladys was an absolute delight! When I asked what she enjoyed doing in her spare time, she smiled and told me that she and her husband used to love dancing. Honestly, I think she could still dance circles around me! What an incredible woman and a truly special family.

It was such a joy and an honor to meet Gladys and celebrate her 100th birthday with her, her wonderful family and friends. People traveled from all across the country to be part of the occasion. Gladys was an absolute delight! When I asked what she enjoyed doing in her spare time, she smiled and told me that she and her husband used to love dancing. Honestly, I think she could still dance circles around me! What an incredible woman and a truly special family.

It was such a joy and an honor to meet Gladys and celebrate her 100th birthday with her, her wonderful family and friends. People traveled from all across the country to be part of the occasion. Gladys was an absolute delight! When I asked what she enjoyed doing in her spare time, she smiled and told me that she and her husband used to love dancing. Honestly, I think she could still dance circles around me! What an incredible woman and a truly special family.

Exciting news: @danvilleareacc received a $550,000 grant through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program to boost the local pipeline of diverse candidates in the construction and building trades.

I've been proud to support the Illinois Works Program since I first entered the Senate in 2023, and it's truly been rewarding to see the opportunities the program offers for residents of our communities – helping close employment gaps by supporting high-paying careers in the trades.

Read more about this investment by clicking the link in my bio!

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and to honor Dr. King’s legacy, my office and I attended Champaign County’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration yesterday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. This year the celebration recognized the interconnected struggles for freedom, justice and equity.

In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written in 1963, Dr. King noted the importance of community during times of uncertainty, emphasizing each of our lives are deeply intertwined and that the suffering of one affects us all. This message holds true still today. As our neighbors face fears about the continued fight for freedom and equality, the rising cost of living, political polarization, retirement, access to health care and so much more, now is the time for us to turn to unity, compassion and humanity.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and to honor Dr. King’s legacy, my office and I attended Champaign County’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration yesterday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. This year the celebration recognized the interconnected struggles for freedom, justice and equity.

In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written in 1963, Dr. King noted the importance of community during times of uncertainty, emphasizing each of our lives are deeply intertwined and that the suffering of one affects us all. This message holds true still today. As our neighbors face fears about the continued fight for freedom and equality, the rising cost of living, political polarization, retirement, access to health care and so much more, now is the time for us to turn to unity, compassion and humanity.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and to honor Dr. King’s legacy, my office and I attended Champaign County’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Countywide Celebration yesterday at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. This year the celebration recognized the interconnected struggles for freedom, justice and equity.

In “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” written in 1963, Dr. King noted the importance of community during times of uncertainty, emphasizing each of our lives are deeply intertwined and that the suffering of one affects us all. This message holds true still today. As our neighbors face fears about the continued fight for freedom and equality, the rising cost of living, political polarization, retirement, access to health care and so much more, now is the time for us to turn to unity, compassion and humanity.