Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg)
State Government: Elected Officials | Elected State Senators
Recent News About Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg)
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Illinois General Assembly passes budget with record spending and new taxes
This week, the Illinois General Assembly passed Governor JB Pritzker’s budget and nearly a billion dollars in new taxes to address the migrant crisis. The budget sets a new record for government spending at just over $53 billion, marking an increase of nearly $13 billion, or 32%, since Pritzker took office.
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Senate passes bill reforming Illinois Prisoner Review Board amid controversy
Amid ongoing controversy with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (PRB), including a recent high-profile tragedy where a young boy was murdered by an offender just days after his release, the Senate passed legislation to reform the controversial body.
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Senator Fowler offers advice after Southern Illinois storms
Senator Fowler has provided a list of recommendations for residents and businesses in Southern Illinois following the recent storm outbreak on Sunday.
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Senators call for stronger oversight after abuse uncovered at mental health center
State Senators Laura Fine, Terri Bryant, and Dale Fowler responded Wednesday to a news investigation that uncovered abuse caught on camera at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, Illinois.
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Illinois honors fallen firefighters at annual memorial ceremony
State leaders convened in Springfield on May 14 for the 31st Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony. The event took place at the Bank of Springfield Center, uniting numerous firefighters from across Illinois to pay homage to their deceased colleagues.
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Fowler sponsors bill allowing sheriffs on local 9-1-1 boards
State Senator Dale Fowler has sponsored legislation to amend the Emergency Telephone System Act, thereby explicitly allowing sheriffs to serve on local 9-1-1 boards. The move is aimed at acknowledging the crucial role that sheriffs play in ensuring community safety and well-being.
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Legislation for transfer of armory property clears Illinois House and Senate
The Republican legislative delegation from Southern Illinois to the Illinois House and Senate has successfully guided legislation through the General Assembly. State Representative Patrick Windhorst collaborated with State Senator Dale Fowler, Senator Terri Bryant, and State Representative Dave Severin to gain unanimous support for House Bill 1672. This bill permits the Department of Military Affairs to transfer the property and building known as the Armory Building in West Frankfort when it is vacated and relocated to Marion.
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Chicago teachers' union demands $1 billion more in state funding
On May 15, hundreds of members from the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) took a taxpayer-funded day off to rally at the Capitol, demanding an additional $1 billion in state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The move was criticized by some as hypocritical, given that the union's members were absent from their classrooms, causing the district to hire substitute teachers at significant cost to taxpayers. Additionally, salaries were still paid to CTU members who made the trip to Springfield.
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Senate lawmakers sport sneakers for annual cancer awareness initiative
On May 7, Senate lawmakers made a unique fashion statement by wearing sneakers with their usual session attire and suit jackets. This gesture was to show solidarity with cancer patients and survivors throughout the state. The inspiration for this unconventional dress code came from the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a joint initiative between the American Cancer Society and the NCAA aimed at raising cancer awareness.
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ISAC offers free FAFSA assistance for high school students
High school students now have the opportunity to utilize valuable resources for completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The FAFSA form is a process that determines the amount of federal financial aid a student is eligible to receive, potentially including grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
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Illinois Senate advances bill recognizing Space Force as official military branch
The Illinois Senate has recently moved to formally recognize the United States Space Force as an official branch of the United States Armed Forces. This development comes with the advancement of House Bill 5640, sponsored by Senator Tom Bennett. The bill proposes changes to state law, including the Space Force wherever the Armed Forces are mentioned.
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$30 Million Grant Opportunity for Community Revitalization
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) has unveiled a significant grant opportunity aimed at revitalizing downtown areas across the state. The department is offering a substantial $30 million in grant funding for two key programs, as reported by the IDCEO.According to the announcement, the IDCEO is focusing on the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital (RDMS) program and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) program. The RDMS program will concentrate on infrastructure improvements, while the RISE program will...
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Senate Republicans Warn of Election Theft as Democrats Pass Drastic Change to Election Law
Senate Republicans have issued a strong warning in response to a controversial new law passed by Democrats in Illinois, with one lawmaker declaring, “This is how you steal an election.” The law, known as Senate Bill 2412, has sparked outrage among Republican legislators for its significant changes to the state’s election laws in the midst of an ongoing election cycle.The bill, which was hastily filed and pushed through the House and Senate, has raised concerns due to its potential impact on the current election process. One of the key provisions of the law is the...
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Senator Fowler Issues Statement on Senate Bill 2412
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) released a strong statement regarding Senate Bill 2412, which recently passed out of the Senate. Fowler expressed his concerns about the bill's impact on the democratic process in Illinois, stating, “Senate Bill 2412 is a direct blow to the democratic process of our state and I refused to vote for legislation that is so clearly undemocratic."Fowler criticized the proposal to change election rules mid-cycle, arguing that it undermines the hard work of local candidates and threatens the voice of Illinois voters. He emphasized that...
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Hundreds Rally in Support of Second Amendment at Statehouse
Springfield, Apr 29 2024 - The streets of Springfield were filled with hundreds of supporters of the Second Amendment on April 18 as Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD) took center stage.This annual event brings together gun owners, Second Amendment advocates, and lawmakers in a collective effort to uphold constitutional rights and safeguard the interests of law-abiding gun owners. The group began their day in downtown Springfield, hosting a rally at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center. They then marched a half-mile to the Capitol, heard from various speakers, and...
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Senate Republicans Advance Legislation to Provide Flexible Daycare Scheduling Options
Senate Republicans have taken a significant step in addressing the childcare needs of shift workers by advancing legislation that aims to provide more flexible daycare scheduling options. Sponsored by Senator Jil Tracy, Senate Bill 3207 seeks to create a system that allows daycare centers to operate 24 hours a day and offer care for children for up to 12 hours. Senator Tracy emphasized the importance of catering to working parents with regularly scheduled shifts, stating, "Senate Bill 3207, sponsored by Senator Jil Tracy, authorizes daycare centers to operate for 24 hours...
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Illinois State Police Welcomes New Troopers from Cadet Class 146
The Illinois State Police (ISP) recently celebrated the addition of nine new troopers from Cadet Class 146 to its ranks. The graduation ceremony for the new troopers took place at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield on April 12.Cadet Class 146 completed a rigorous 28-week program that covered various essential aspects of law enforcement, such as cultural diversity, procedural justice, domestic violence, and firearms training. The new troopers also underwent a 14-week field training component with personalized mentoring.According to the source, "Since 2019,...
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Senator Fowler Welcomes High School Students to State Capitol for Student Advisory Council
Senator Dale Fowler recently welcomed Southern Illinois high school students to the State Capitol for his annual Student Advisory Council (SAC). Reflecting on the event, Senator Fowler expressed his delight in having the students back at the Capitol after several years of absence due to COVID and renovations. He stated, "This is one of my favorite events and it was great to have the students back at the State Capitol this year. We haven’t been able to host them in Springfield for several years due to COVID and capitol renovations. We wanted to give the students of my...
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Sen. Fowler's Legislation to Address Food Deserts Passed Unanimously
State Senator Dale Fowler's efforts to combat food deserts in Illinois saw progress on Tuesday as Senate Bill 3265 was unanimously passed off the Senate floor. Senator Fowler expressed his commitment to addressing the issue, stating, "Our state is making great strides in raising awareness to the food desert problem that several of our local communities face."Senator Fowler emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling food deserts, highlighting the importance of improving access to healthy food, supporting local food systems, and identifying the root causes...
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Sen. Fowler Sponsored Grocery Initiative Grant Opportunities Now Available
State Senator Dale Fowler expressed his enthusiasm for the newly announced grant program from the Illinois Grocery Initiative, aimed at addressing food deserts in the state. He stated, “As a strong supporter and chief co-sponsor of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, today’s grant funding announcement brings new hope for our food desert communities, ensuring that access to affordable, healthy foods will be close to home.”Director Kristin Richards of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) emphasized the importance of the New Stores in Food Deserts Program,...