Happy January! As we begin the new year, I’d like to thank you for the trust you place in me and for the opportunity to continue serving our communities across Southern Illinois. As we begin the 2026 Spring Session, I look forward to continuing my work across the district and in Springfield.
In this edition of Friess Frame, we’ll cover the return to the Capitol for the Spring Legislative Session, a look at newly filed legislation, and the completion of a long-awaited Stringtown Levee fix. I’ll also share updates on efforts to amend the SAFE-T Act, announce new mobile DMV opportunities, discuss the radical Democrats’ latest rhetoric on “affordability,” and reflect on our work in 2025.
Thank you for staying engaged and informed. I’m honored to represent you, and I look forward to working together as we head into a productive new year.
The Start of Spring Session
This month marked the start of the 2026 Spring Session. My priorities remained clear: strengthening Illinois’ economy, cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and supporting hardworking families. Meanwhile, Democrats continued to push big-government agendas and excessive spending, leaving Illinois families to shoulder the burden.
The first week of Spring Session concluded earlier this month, and it was largely defined by pointless political theatre from entrenched Illinois Democrats. Instead of focusing on the real issues facing Illinoisans, nearly two hours of House Floor time were spent on partisan resolutions attacking the federal government and President Trump. Unfortunately, none of this was surprising.Â
At a time when families across Illinois are struggling with the rising cost of living and a crushing tax burden, the majority chose political grandstanding over meaningful work. If Speaker Welch and his side of the aisle were serious about governing, they should have set aside radical floor speeches, stopped using the House Floor as a campaign stage, and worked with us on real solutions to the real problems Illinois families face.
Newly Filed Legislation
As the 2026 Spring Session gets underway, I have begun filing legislation to address real issues facing families, students, and veterans across southern Illinois. So far this session, I have filed HB4251 and HB4347, both aimed at closing gaps in state policy and delivering practical relief where it’s needed most.
HB4251 focuses on protecting students and families when Washington dysfunction spills into everyday life. The bill ensures that federally funded scholarships and tuition waivers awarded by public universities remain secure during a federal government shutdown, preventing students from being penalized for budget failures beyond their control. No student should have their education put at risk because of chaos in Washington.
HB4347 works to support our disabled veterans by cutting unnecessary costs and red tape. The bill allows veterans with a VA-verified, service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher who may not qualify for a disability plate or decal to receive a qualifying veteran specialty license plate without paying vehicle registration fees. This legislation recognizes service, reduces financial burdens, and fixes an inequity in current law.
These bills represent the beginning of my legislative work this session, not the end. More legislation can be expected as I continue meeting with my staff, local leaders, and constituents across the district. The best ideas often come directly from the people we serve, and I encourage you to reach out to my office if you have concerns, ideas, or proposals you believe deserve attention in Springfield.
Scour Hole Fix Complete
The year 2025 ended on a high note for residents of Fults, Prairie du Rocher, and the surrounding communities as the long-standing scour hole near the Stringtown Levee was successfully repaired. I became aware of the rapidly deteriorating situation early last year, when reports indicated the scour hole posed a serious risk of levee failure, potentially threatening homes, farms, and historic sites in southern Monroe County.
Since then, I have fought alongside local officials to protect residents. I held multiple meetings with local, state, and federal leaders to coordinate a response and ensure the community had the support it needed. I also hosted a town hall to keep constituents informed about the risks and the steps being taken to secure the levee. Additionally, I filed legislation to safeguard the land, laying the groundwork for long-term protections and ensuring southern Illinois has a stronger, more resilient levee system moving forward.
While this repair was a critical first step, the work isn’t finished. I remain committed to fighting for long-term, permanent solutions and legislative measures to ensure Southern Illinois communities are never left vulnerable to a similar threat again.
Read more here.
Proposing Changes to the SAFE-T Act
Since the two-year anniversary of the SAFE-T Act, we have continued to see dangerous criminals released onto our streets every single day. Governor JB Pritzker himself has said, “All I’ve said, and I think this is always true, I am open to listening to what changes ought to be made. There are tweaks I believe could be made to the SAFE-T Act, but proposals have to be made in the General Assembly.”
I spoke with law enforcement officers across my district, and the message is always the same. Our courts are overwhelmed, police departments are stretched thin, and local agencies are being forced to comply with unrealistic, unfunded mandates imposed by the Pritzker Administration. Democrats pushed this legislation through without fully considering the burden it would place on communities throughout Southern Illinois.
I am proud to be part of the House Republicans’ Truth in Public Safety (TIPS) working group, which focuses on restoring accountability and improving public safety across Illinois. On December 18, our working group formally submitted a letter to Governor Pritzker urging him to consider our proposed improvements to the SAFE-T Act. We are long overdue for change. Multiple bills are ready to move forward, but the Democratic majority continues to refuse to consider them.
Illinois families deserve safer communities. We must repeal the SAFE-T Act and replace it with policies that put public safety first. Please see below for our official letter to the Governor outlining these concerns and proposed reforms. Please click here for our official letter to the Governor outlining these concerns and proposed reforms.
Secretary of State Mobile DMV Events Returning
This year, I am proud to once again partner with the Secretary of State’s Office to bring Mobile DMV services back across the district. These events make it easier for residents to access essential DMV services closer to home, without the need to travel long distances. After coordinating Mobile DMV events last year and seeing the real benefits for constituents, I am pleased to expand these efforts in 2026.
This year, I will host five Mobile DMV events: three in Red Bud and two in Murphysboro. Along with my staff, representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office will be on site to assist with renewing or correcting driver’s licenses, converting standard driver’s licenses to REAL ID, obtaining first-time or renewed State IDs or REAL IDs, issuing free IDs for seniors age 65 and older, and purchasing license plate stickers.
Appointments are required. Constituents must call my office to schedule an appointment; walk-ins will not be accepted. Residents may review the list of acceptable documents needed for first-time IDs and REAL IDs at ilsos.gov. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this convenient opportunity to access DMV services close to home.
ICYMI: Beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require travelers to have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to fly domestically. Passengers who arrive at the airport without compliant identification will be required to use TSA’s ConfirmID identity verification system and pay a $45 fee!
Democrats “Affordability” Claims
Speaker Welch recently announced that the Democrats will focus on “affordability” this session and work to lower the cost of living for Illinoisans. The adoption of the word “affordability” is comical, given the fact that the Democrats’ most recent budget included more than $700 million in new taxes, their so-called green energy agenda will add an estimated $8 billion in utility costs for Illinois residents, and their latest mass transit bailout plan robbed funds from downstate.
Our caucus has proposed multiple commonsense solutions to address affordability, including measures to lower taxes, reduce energy costs, and rein in wasteful government spending. Yet Speaker Welch has refused to bring these proposals to a vote or even allow them a committee hearing, effectively silencing debate and blocking relief for Illinois families. Instead of engaging in an open legislative process, the majority continues to ignore ideas that would provide real, immediate help to working families and small businesses.
If they’re serious about affordability, they would work with us across the aisle to find real solutions to lower the cost of living and start owning the policies that are driving up costs for working families. I’ll continue to fight for solutions that make Illinois more affordable and sustainable.Â
2025 Recap
In 2025, my office delivered real results, sponsoring key legislation, helping constituents with casework, and putting money back in their pockets. We connected with residents everywhere, from town halls and classrooms to local events across the district.
Thank you to everyone who reached out, showed up, and keeps our community strong. I look forward to continuing the work in 2026!
Looking Ahead
As I continue through the legislative session, I want to thank you for staying engaged and involved in the work being done on your behalf. This is a critical time at the Capitol as decisions are made that will directly impact families, businesses, and communities across our district.
In the weeks ahead, the General Assembly will hear Governor Pritzker’s budget address, which will set the tone for spending priorities this year. My team and I remain focused on serving you, addressing local needs, and advocating for responsible policies as the session moves forward. I will continue working to ensure your voice is heard in Springfield and that southern Illinois is not left behind.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can assist you in any way.