SE Illinois News

It was two steps up and one step back for the state Senate, according to Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

In an ongoing effort to reduce legislation that he considers unwieldy and detrimental to businesses and citizens, Fowler sponsored and helped advance Senate Bill 1876, which repeals some Illinois agricultural statutes he said are outdated and have fallen out of use. 

Fowler also sponsored Senate Bill 2023, which is intended to improve the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. The bill would resolve technical issues in the act for counties with populations less than 300,000, which could lead to job retention and creation and, eventually, higher state revenue thanks to increased taxes.

But it was not all good news, Fowler said, denouncing the advancement of Senate Bill 1657, which would force additional oversight on most of the state’s firearm dealers through state licensing requirements.

Fowler also recently co-hosted a forum for coal stakeholders with fellow state Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) and U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL). The Southern Illinois lawmakers heard from coal producers and coal generation station operator about the challenges facing their industry.

Fowler also highlighted a recent meeting between Governor Bruce Rauner and Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), saying their discussions are a positive step in the state’s ongoing budget woes.