Happy Halloween! As we enter the colder months of October, make sure to bundle up, not just for the dropping temperatures, but for the tax increases coming out of Springfield. I apologize for getting this newsletter out a bit later than usual, but I wanted to make sure I could share the latest updates from Veto Session.
In this edition of the Friess Frame, we’ll take a look at what happened during Veto Session, discuss my efforts to secure funding for the Stringtown Scour Hole through HB4146, and highlight my participation in the IMA Workforce Summit Panel. You’ll also find updates from across the district, details on our fight against the TRUST Act, information on available SNAP benefit resources, and a closer look at Governor Pritzker’s transit bailout plan.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your State Representative. As always, if my office can assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Opposing all tax increases
Veto Session wrapped up Friday at 2:30 am, and unfortunately, it ended much like it began, filled with political rhetoric from entrenched Democrat leadership and very few real solutions for hardworking Illinois families. During the first week, Democrats focused more on partisan House Resolutions than on addressing the real challenges facing our state, while House Republicans came ready to debate common-sense reforms to make life more affordable and government more accountable.
The second week was no better. Instead of offering relief to taxpayers or tackling the state’s ongoing fiscal problems, Democrats chose to push through even more tax increases. Late at night, they passed SB25, a massive “energy omnibus” bill that will do nothing but raise your electric bills. Under the guise of “green energy,” this legislation hands out millions in subsidies to special interests, forces the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to transfer up to $84 million to the EV and Charging Fund, and strips counties of local authority over projects involving batteries, solar, and wind.
While the bill includes one positive step, the repeal of the state’s outdated nuclear construction ban, it’s buried beneath layers of mandates, rate hikes, and giveaways. SB25 guts reliable baseload energy, threatens grid stability, and drives up costs for consumers, small businesses, and job creators across Illinois. I’ve made it clear: I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps power affordable, reliable, and safe, not these costly, unproven “green energy” experiments that Illinois families simply can’t afford.
I proudly cast a resounding NO vote on this legislation that hurts families and small businesses across Illinois. Democrats continue to push expensive, unrealistic policies that make life harder for everyday people. Let’s be abundantly clear, they have no real plan to fix our state’s problems beyond raising taxes, enforcing more mandates, and shifting blame.
Illinoisans deserve better than higher costs and more government waste. I’ll continue standing up for fiscal responsibility, energy reliability, and real solutions that put working families first.
Joining IMA Workforce Summit Panel
This month, I was honored to join State Senator Terri Bryant and State Representative Patrick Windhorst at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s Workforce Summit Panel. The event served as a kickoff to Manufacturing Month, and it was a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about how we can strengthen Illinois’ workforce and support the industries that keep our communities thriving.
Manufacturing is the backbone of our state’s economy, providing good-paying jobs, driving innovation, and investing in local communities across Illinois. At the summit, we discussed the challenges and opportunities facing employers and workers alike, including workforce development and job training, as well as maintaining a competitive business climate.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to the IMA for hosting this important event and for their continued leadership in promoting growth and opportunity across the state.
I remain committed to working alongside my colleagues and community partners to ensure that Illinois remains a place where manufacturers can grow, hire, and succeed. We will continue to work together through collaborative discussions and real solutions to build a stronger future for Illinois’ workforce.
Filing legislation to fund scour hole repairs
This month, I filed House Bill 4146, a measure to allocate $5 million from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). These funds would be granted to Monroe County to support the construction, improvements, and repairs of the Stringtown Levee, a critical piece of infrastructure that protects homes, farmland, and local roadways throughout the region.
This legislation builds on my ongoing efforts to address the longstanding issues surrounding the levee and its deteriorating condition. The Stringtown Levee has served as a vital line of defense for our communities for decades, and it’s past time for the state to step up and ensure it continues to do so safely and effectively.
In recent months, my office has been working closely with local leaders, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state agencies to identify long-term solutions and secure the resources needed. We are continuing to collaborate with local and federal partners to get this project across the finish line and ensure Monroe County has the support it deserves.
While I haven’t received a call from the Governor on this issue, despite his administration’s repeated claims of infrastructure investment, I’ll keep pushing forward to make sure Southern Illinois isn’t left behind.
I encourage residents to reach out to their legislators and voice their support for HB4146. With community advocacy and bipartisan cooperation, we can make real progress on this project and provide the peace of mind our residents have been waiting for.
Across the District
It’s been a busy few weeks across the district! Our office has been out and about visiting schools, attending events, and connecting with folks in the community.
We stopped by the LEAF Community Farm Tour, joined in on the Great Apple Crunch hosted by PdR134, visited Senator Bryant’s Youth Advisory Council, and participated in Poverty Training hosted by ROE45. Each event was a great opportunity to learn, listen, and support the people and programs that make Southern Illinois such a great place to live.
On top of that, we’ve been presenting House Certificates, meeting with constituents, and speaking with local leaders, businesses, and schools about what’s happening in our communities.
It’s always great to get out of the office and spend time hearing directly from the people we serve. We’ll keep showing up, staying involved, and working together to make a difference across the district.
Calling out the failed TRUST Act
Another tragic example of failed leadership from Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats has shaken our state. ICE arrested a criminal who was driving under the influence and killed two Illinois residents. He was an illegal alien from Guatemala. The Clayton family should be alive today, but instead, their lives were cut short by someone who never should have been in this country or on our streets. This heartbreaking tragedy should never have happened, and it’s proof that the Governor’s policies are putting politics before public safety.
The TRUST Act has handcuffed law enforcement and prevented cooperation with federal authorities. Instead of giving officers the tools they need to protect our communities, this law creates dangerous loopholes that let criminals slip through the cracks. While the Governor continues to ignore the consequences of his policies, Illinois families are the ones paying the price.
I joined my colleagues this week to demand accountability and call for the repeal of the TRUST Act. Our law enforcement officers must be allowed to do their jobs, and our communities deserve to be safe. The Governor must stop prioritizing political agendas over public safety and start putting Illinois families first.
Read the DHS press release here.
SNAP benefit resources
With the ongoing gridlock in Washington, families across Illinois are once again left to worry about the impact of a potential government shutdown. While Congress continues to argue, real people are the ones who suffer, especially those who rely on essential programs like SNAP benefits to put food on the table.
If the shutdown continues, delays in SNAP assistance could make it harder for families to access groceries and basic necessities. That’s unacceptable. These are not just numbers in a budget; these are hardworking people trying to make ends meet while Washington politicians play political games.
House Republicans have been calling for responsible budgeting and real solutions to keep our government funded without endless spending increases. Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress continue to prioritize partisan politics over the well-being of the families they claim to represent.
To help those affected, the State of Illinois has compiled a list of local food pantries and community resources available across the district. If you or someone you know is struggling to find assistance, please call my office. We’re here to help connect you with available support and ensure no family is left behind during this uncertainty.
Democrats ram through transit bill
Late Thursday night, Democrats pushed through SB 2111, a so-called “Transit Reform” bill that does little to fix our state’s transit problems and instead piles even more tax burdens onto the backs of hardworking Illinois families, including those of us in Southern Illinois. This legislation was dropped in the final hours of Veto Session, giving lawmakers and the public little time to review or debate its far-reaching consequences. It didn’t need to be passed in the dead of night, but here we are.
Under the banner of “transit reform,” SB 2111 gives sweeping new power to a centralized transit authority dominated by Chicago-area interests, while leaving smaller communities and downstate regions with little to no voice. The bill reshapes how transit agencies are governed but fails to provide the funding needed to actually make the system work. Instead, it opens the door for higher taxes, increased fares, and new local mandates that will hit families, small businesses, and commuters the hardest.
This legislation ties future transit decisions to broad, state-level climate and “green energy” goals that may sound good on paper but, in reality, come with expensive mandates that ignore the needs of everyday Illinoisans. While Chicago politicians claim this will “save” transit, what it really does is centralize control, threaten local autonomy, and force smaller regions to pay for a system that provides them little benefit.
SB 2111 creates uncertainty for transit systems across Illinois by demanding major structural changes without securing stable, long-term funding. That means service cuts, fare hikes, and higher costs could soon become the reality for riders and taxpayers alike. Even worse, the bill’s focus on bureaucracy over practicality will make it harder for local governments to plan, adapt, and meet the needs of their own residents.
Democrats in Springfield are once again showing where their priorities lie, with Chicago-based interests and top-down government control, not with the working families of Southern Illinois who are already stretched thin. Reforming transit shouldn’t mean raising taxes or passing complex bills under the cover of darkness. It should mean creating a system that is fair, efficient, and affordable for everyone in this state.
Looking ahead
Veto Session has come to a close, but the fight for Southern Illinois is far from over. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the same misplaced priorities from Democrat leadership, tax hikes, late-night votes, and rushed legislation that puts politics before people. From the so-called “energy omnibus” that will drive up utility costs to the “transit reform” bill that adds more tax burdens on working families, it’s clear Springfield is still focused on growing government instead of finding real solutions.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Legislative Session, my priorities remain the same: fighting for fiscal responsibility, reliable and affordable energy, government accountability, and common-sense policies that put Illinois families first. Southern Illinois deserves a seat at the table, and I’ll continue working to make sure our region’s voice is heard loud and clear.
In the months to come, my team and I will stay active throughout the district, visiting schools, meeting with community leaders, attending local events, and listening to the people we serve. Every conversation helps shape the work we’ll take back to Springfield this coming session.
As always, if my office can be of any assistance, please reach out to us at 618.282.7284. Your voice matters and makes me a better legislator every day.