Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg)
State Government: Elected Officials | Elected State Senators
Recent News About Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg)
-
Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season Starts April 6
Anglers in Illinois can start preparing their gear as the 2024 Illinois spring trout fishing season is set to begin on April 6. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, during this season, anglers will be allowed to keep a maximum of five trout per day.The fishing enthusiasts who are more inclined towards catch-and-release fishing will have the opportunity to start earlier, as the catch-and-release season will kick off on March 23.One of the key initiatives supporting the trout population in Illinois is the Illinois Catchable Trout Program, which is...
-
Illinois State Board of Education Chooses ACT Over SAT for Next School Year
The Illinois State Board of Education has made a significant decision regarding the standardized tests that high school students in the state will be taking next year. With the current contract with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) set to expire in June, a new direction has been chosen. The board has awarded the American College Testing (ACT) a $53 million contract for a three-year commitment, signaling a shift in testing requirements.According to the announcement, students in Illinois will have the option to continue taking the SAT, but they will now be responsible for...
-
New Legislation Aimed at Helping Struggling Families
State Senators Sue Rezin and Jil Tracy have introduced new legislation aimed at providing financial relief to families with children enrolled in daycare and pre-K programs in Illinois. The proposed legislation includes state tax credits to help offset the costs parents incur for preschool and childcare.During a State Capitol press conference on March 21, Sen. Rezin emphasized the financial struggles faced by parents, stating, “Any parent or guardian of a young child will tell you that one of the greatest financial hardships that growing families face is the lack of access...
-
Constitutional Amendment Proposed to Ensure U.S. Citizenship Required to Vote in Illinois
Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 14(SJRCA 14), would require citizenship to vote in any Illinois election. This removal of these words would make it abundantly clear that U.S. citizenship is required to vote in any election in Illinois.In response to growing efforts from activists to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections, new legislation aims to eliminate perceived vagueness in the state constitution that activists have capitalized on to push voting for non-citizens.While state and federal law clearly require U.S. citizenship to vote in State and...
-
Agriculture Students Visit the Capitol
On March 13, high school agriculture students from across the state gathered in Springfield to participate in Illinois Ag Lobby Day, an event where they advocate for the agriculture industry. The annual event is a platform for farmers, representatives from ag industry associations, and members of high school FFA chapters to come together and voice their support for agriculture in Illinois.During the event, Senator Fowler highlighted the significance of the students' participation, stating, "It’s a great experience for the students to get involved at a young age and...
-
Attorney General Lists Top 10 Most Frequent Scams Illinoisans Fell Victim to in 2023
The Illinois Attorney General's office has recently revealed the top 10 most frequent scams that Illinois residents fell victim to in 2023. According to the office, the top three categories of scams were construction/home improvement repairs, identity theft, and consumer debt. It was noted that for the third consecutive year, home repairs claimed the top spot in the list of common scams.Highlighting the prevalence of scams in the home improvement sector, the Illinois Attorney General's office stated, "This is the third straight year that the top spot was taken by home...
-
March is National Reading Month
In honor of National Reading Month, which is celebrated in March, Americans young and old are encouraged to dive into the world of books. The month was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a beloved author of children's stories."According to experts, reading comprehension is an important factor in educational and professional growth. Consistent reading has been shown to improve memory, cognitive function, and vocabulary," stated the experts. They emphasized that initiatives like National Reading Month are crucial, especially as youth reading scores are...
-
Senator Fowler Joins Meridian Officials for Fresh Food Donation to Golden Circle Senior Centers
State Senator Dale Fowler joined officials from Meridian Health Plan of Illinois for a $2,000 donation of fresh meat and poultry to the Golden Circle Senior Centers at their Elizabethtown location Monday morning. Senator Fowler expressed his gratitude for the community support, stating, "The community support since Golden Circle announced that they were closing has been tremendous." He added, “I am so thankful that these senior centers will now remain open thanks to an expedited voucher reimbursement process from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office, community donations and...
-
Sen. Fowler & Rep. Windhorst Secure Funding to Prevent Closure of Golden Circle Senior Centers
State Senator Dale Fowler and State Representative Patrick Windhorst have successfully secured funding to prevent the closure of the Golden Circle Senior Centers. Senator Fowler, who led the efforts, stated, "Since this meeting, I have been in direct contact with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office to find out what funds are owed by the State of Illinois to the facilities." It was determined that $136,000 in voucher reimbursements are owed to Golden Circle, which will now be released immediately to keep the vital resource centers operational.Representative Windhorst...
-
Sen. Fowler & Rep. Jacobs Announce $300,000 Grant to SIH Cancer Institute
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) have announced a significant grant of $300,000 to the SIH Cancer Institute in Southern Illinois. The grant, consisting of two $150,000 member initiative grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will be used to enhance the healthcare organization's access to high-quality patient care.Senator Fowler emphasized the importance of the SIH Cancer Institute to the Southern Illinois community, stating, "The SIH Cancer Institute is a critical resource to Southern...
-
Sen. Fowler Attends Children’s Health Caucus
State Senator Dale Fowler and members of the Illinois Children’s Health Caucus convened on February 7, 2024, for their first meeting of the year. The gathering took place at the Stratton Building, located adjacent to the Illinois Capitol.The bipartisan group, consisting of four lawmakers, focused on the pressing issue of children in the Illinois Medicaid program. With over one million children relying on the state’s Medicaid program, it is crucial to address their healthcare needs effectively.During the meeting, a panel of experts provided insights and knowledge on the...
-
Senator Fowler announces $2.3 million in parks and rec grants
State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have announced over $2.3 million in Open Space Land Acquisitions and Development (OSLAD) grants for the 59th Senate District. The grants aim to enhance outdoor spaces and local parks, providing opportunities for the community to enjoy modernized and inclusive recreational areas.According to Senator Fowler, "Investing in our outdoor spaces and local parks is a great opportunity to enrich the lives of many seeking a new modernized all-inclusive space for all. The OSLAD program not only...
-
Sen. Fowler announces new grant money now available for local grocers
Grocers across the state of Illinois can now apply for grant funding to upgrade their equipment and combat food insecurity. The Pritzker Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have announced $3.5 million in new available grant funds as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program.According to Senator Fowler, many small grocery stores in the state have outdated equipment that is costing them a fortune in energy bills. He stated, "A lot of these little grocery stores, their equipment like coolers and...
-
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants Available
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants, with a total allocation of $6.4 million. These grants aim to support the middle sections of the food supply chain, specifically the post-harvest, pre-retail sale level.According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the mid-level food supply chain includes activities such as processing, manufacturing, storing, and transporting of all non-meat food. The RFSI grants will provide funding for equipment costs and the expansion of capacity and...
-
Lawmakers Take Up Assault Weapon Ban Rules
Lawmakers in Springfield convened to discuss new permanent rules for the state's "assault weapons" ban proposed by the Illinois State Police (ISP). The bipartisan and bicameral Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) met to address concerns regarding the existing emergency rules and propose changes, additions, and clarifications.Critics have expressed concerns about the ambiguity of both the emergency and permanent rules, fearing that they may cause confusion among gun owners. The lack of clarity could leave individuals unsure about which firearms, parts, and...
-
Illinois Sets Record with $1.63 Billion in Cannabis Sales
Illinois has once again made headlines in the cannabis industry, setting a new record for recreational cannabis sales in 2023. With a staggering $1.63 billion in sales, the state has solidified its position as one of the leading markets for legal cannabis in the United States.A closer look at the numbers reveals an interesting trend. While sales to out-of-state residents experienced a significant drop, as more states joined Illinois in legalizing adult use of cannabis, sales to Illinois residents themselves saw a notable increase of 14%. This surge in local demand...
-
Senator Fowler’s Valentines for Seniors Card Drive Underway
State Senator Dale Fowler is once again calling on the community to participate in his annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive. The initiative aims to bring joy to senior citizens in the 59th District by delivering homemade cards to nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other long-term care facilities.Speaking about the program, Senator Fowler expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support received from the community. He stated, "Every year the community comes together to show their love and respect for our seniors, and it’s incredibly humbling knowing we...
-
IDNR Cleans Up Several Hundred Thousand Pounds of Invasive Carp in Illinois River
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and a group of professional fishermen have successfully partnered to combat the proliferation of invasive carp in the Illinois River. Over the course of 10 days at the Starved Rock pool of the Illinois River, IDNR biologists, Illinois River Biological Station biologists, and commercial fishing contractors managed to capture and remove an impressive 700,000 pounds of silver carp. This figure is double the amount removed in the previous year, making it the most extensive single removal operation to date.According to IDNR...
-
Illinois Offers Income Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Workers
Starting next year, volunteer firefighters and EMTs in Illinois will have access to a new financial incentive. The state is introducing a $500 non-refundable income tax credit for eligible emergency volunteers. The credit aims to help cover the costs of training and equipment that these dedicated individuals incur while serving their communities.To qualify for the income tax credit, individuals must meet certain criteria. First and foremost, they must have served as a volunteer emergency worker for at least nine months during the taxable year. Additionally, they should...
-
Navigating Holiday Decor Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association
As the holiday season is in full swing, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall is urging caution when it comes to holiday decorations. With candles and lights being common features of holiday decor, it is important to prioritize fire safety to ensure a joyous and safe celebration.According to the Office, one of the key tips for fire-safe holiday decorations is to ensure that they are either flame-retardant or flame-resistant. This simple precaution can significantly reduce the risk of accidental fires. Additionally, it is crucial to keep lit candles at least 12...