SE Illinois News

 State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) is thinking of the elderly this holiday season.

“Today I was able to donate over 200 grip socks and over 400 candy canes to a Southern Illinois Adopt a Grandparent program,” Fowler posted on Facebook. “Each donation will go towards a package that provides a Christmas card, socks, hand and foot cream and candy canes to our local long-term care residents.”

Fowler credits Audra Cusic-Ratliff with starting the program back in 2020 with a goal of giving back to the community by lending a helping hand to some of its most vulnerable.  

“Last year she was able to sponsor 450 Grandparents,” he said. “Thank you Audra for allowing me the opportunity to help out with this great cause.”

Now in his fourth year of representing the 59th District, the Carbondale Report reports Fowler recently took part in this year’s Council of State Government's Elevate Academy in Minnesota.

“This year's ELEVATE Academy brought together some of the country’s top minds on cyber security, transportation infrastructure, workforce development and science communication, facilitating conversations and providing an immersive learning experience,” Fowler said in a separate Facebook post. “I was honored to be one of only 21 legislators within twelve Midwest states to be invited to participate in the event and be able to lead the discussion on entrepreneurs in our youth.”

Not long ago, the Carbondale Reporter reported Fowler hosted a "Coffee and Conversation" event at the Vienna City Park Pavilion. The gathering was the second such outing Fowler has taken part in over the last few weeks. He also took part in a talk with constituents at Anna-Jonesboro Community High on Oct. 7, alongside state Sens. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville).

Fowler has also campaigned against the Clean Energy Bill, also known as Senate Bill 2408.

“This energy proposal was an opportunity to recognize the importance of our coal industry and work collaboratively to establish an energy package that would protect jobs, safeguard Illinois’ energy portfolio and ensure we have reliable energy for Illinoisans," Fowler told the Carbondale Reporter. "Disappointingly, the opportunity was missed and it will have costly consequences for Illinoisans.”

Fowler said it seems clear to him the bill is not in the best interest of most state residents.

“This energy proposal overlooks the reliability that coal provides to Illinois’ energy portfolio, relying instead on massive subsidies for wind and solar while placing a target on our privately-owned coal plants,” he added.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed a bill sponsored by Fowler that increases penalties for motorists who endanger the lives of first responders.

“The last thing they should have to worry about are distracted, speeding or irresponsible drivers,” Fowler wrote on Facebook following the signing by Pritzker. “The legislation signed today is about strengthening an already existing law to safeguard our law enforcement and emergency personnel as they work to care for and help those in their communities.”

In a press release, Fowler’s office said that Senate Bill 1913 adds penalties to 'Scott's Law,' which already requires motorists to slow their vehicles, change lanes if possible and proceed with caution when they are approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on.

Violators are assessed a fine of between $250 and $1,000 for their first offense, and between $750 and $10,000 for their second offense, the release said. The new bill signed by Pritzker gives judges the authority to order community service for violators in addition to fines.

According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office website, Scott’s Law is named after fallen Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was struck and killed by a speeding motorist in 2000 at the age of 37 after responding to an early morning accident on the Bishop Ford Freeway.

The Southern Illinois News reports Fowler also recently hosted the annual Youth Advisory Council, where he welcomed dozens of local high school students to a forum where they learned first-hand about how the government works. Students who took part in the event were selected based on recommendations from area administrators and local educators

"This is one of my favorite events to host each year, bringing together students to engage with one another and providing a platform for them to get involved and learn more about state government and leadership," Fowler said in a Facebook post, "While hosting it virtually makes the event look different, it didn't take away from the passion, interests and enthusiasm our students have for learning about government and how they can become leaders in their communities."