Friend,
Happy Monday! This week, legislators return to Springfield for the fall Veto Session from October 14th–16th and 29th–30th, where we’ll review bills vetoed or amended by Governor Pritzker and keep an eye on proposals that could impact families and small businesses. I remain committed to protecting taxpayers from measures like the billion-dollar transit bailout and other proposals that would raise costs for everyday essentials.
I’m also excited to share some positive news from around our district! Children can now receive free books every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Illinois pumpkin farmers are harvesting a record crop for the season, and our senior fairs continue to connect residents with resources for healthy, happy living.
As always, my office is here to help if you have questions or need assistance with anything. You can contact us here or call (224)662-4544.
Sincerely,
Senator Darby Hills
Legislators Return to Springfield for Fall Veto Session
This week, legislators will return to Springfield for the fall Veto Session, set for October 14th–16th and October 29th-30th. During this time, lawmakers will review bills vetoed or amended by Governor Prtizker, and we may also see the return of several major proposals that were stopped at the end of the spring session.
One proposal we are keeping an eye on is the Transit Bill, which is a billion-dollar bailout for Mayor Brandon Johnson that would have handed control of the transit board to Chicago while forcing suburban taxpayers to foot the bill. Other proposals included a $1.50 delivery tax on nearly every package dropped at your door, a new service tax on essentials like haircuts and home repairs, and a “mom and pop” tax on digital ads that would have punished family-run businesses just trying to reach customers.
Fortunately, we were able to stop these measures for now, but if they return, they’ll drive up costs for families, threaten local jobs, and hurt the small businesses that keep our communities strong. I fought to stop these proposals once, and I’ll continue working to protect taxpayers and small businesses from these burdens.
Celebrating Seniors and Healthy Living
We had a wonderful time at the Wauconda Senior Fair! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and to our amazing vendors for helping us connect seniors with valuable local resources!
We are excited to keep the momentum going! Join us next week for my senior fair in Palatine to discover ways to lead a happier, healthier lifestyle, connect with local vendors offering programs that benefit seniors, pick up informative legislative brochures, and enjoy a fun, free experience:
Palatine Senior Fair: October 22nd, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Palatine Senior Center, 505 South Quentin Rd., Palatine, IL 60067
Learn more about this event and other upcoming events by visiting my events page on my website here.
Darby in the District – Za Za’s Tavola Italiana in Lake Barrington
My Darby in the District at Za Za’s Tavola Italiana in Lake Barrington was filled with wonderful food and conversation! I appreciate every person who stopped by. Whether it was to share your thoughts and concerns on issues going on in our state or simply to say hello, I truly value the opportunity to meet and connect with my constituents from all across the 26th District.
Free Books for Children from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
I’m so excited to share that children across our district now have the opportunity to receive free books every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! This incredible program, supported by Dolly Parton and local community partners, helps inspire a love of reading in children. Every child enrolled gets a brand-new book delivered straight to their home each month from birth until age 5, and participation is completely free. I encourage all families to sign up and give their little ones the gift of reading, it’s never too early to spark a lifelong love of books!
20% Off Your ComEd Bill for Eligible Households
I’m excited to share an opportunity for qualifying households to save 20% on their residential ComEd bills! This discount applies to everything except taxes and comes at no cost to you. If you participate in programs such as Section 8 Housing Voucher, Medicaid, LIHEAP, SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, WAP, Lifeline, or receive Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefits, you may be eligible.
To register, simply visit ampion.net/energyandtechsolutions. If you need help completing the application, Hans Herrman is available to assist at hans@energyandtechsolutions.com. Don’t miss this chance to lower your energy costs and keep more money in your pocket!
Fall in Illinois Means Pumpkins
If you’re planning to carve a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween, sip a pumpkin spice latte, or bake a pie for your Thanksgiving table, chances are your pumpkin had its start right here in Illinois.
Illinois continues to lead the nation in pumpkin production, and according to the USDA, farmers harvested a little over 485 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024. The Illinois Farm Bureau notes that the state grows more pumpkins than anywhere else in the world, with 90 to 95 percent of pumpkins used for processing grown here.
Much of that work happens in Morton, Illinois, known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World, where over 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin is processed.
This year’s harvest began at the end of August and will continue through early November, filling farms, fields, and patches with pumpkins to be picked and enjoyed.
Be sure to stop by your local pumpkin patch and grab a pumpkin or two to celebrate the spooky season. To find a local pumpkin patch near you, check out Enjoy Illinois’ guide to the state’s best pumpkin patches.
Island Lake’s Oktoberfest!
I had a wonderful time at Island Lake’s Oktoberfest!
From the delicious food and lively music to the annual Dachshund Derby, it was a joy to see the community come together to share in the fun and traditions of this event.
A big thank-you to Mayor Richard McLaughlin and all of the organizers, volunteers, and local businesses who made this festival such a success!