News Releases

A new law will provide specific exemptions for businesses and firearms sales at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex events that would have been severely affected, limited, or outright banned by the Gun Dealer Licensing Act.

Record floods have led to disaster proclamations being issued in 34 Illinois counties this Spring. On June 18, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warned residents not to fall for flood- damage scams and asked them to contact the Attorney General’s office to report fraudulent activities.

On July 1, stiffer penalties will be implemented as Illinois’ law regarding the use of hand-held devices behind the wheel takes effect. Passed by the General Assembly last year, House Bill 4846 will count first-time incidences of driving while operating a handheld mobile device as a “moving violation.” Prior to HB 4846, first offenses of distracted driving would be considered a “non-moving violation.”

As the summer begins, legislation from the spring legislative session is now being signed into law – beginning with a controversial measure to expand abortion in Illinois and a reinstatement of the five-hour school day minimum.

It is important for us to remember the fallen who have given us the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the benefits of living in the greatest country in the world. Thank you to all the veterans past and present. You will never be forgotten.

It was great to have Logan Klitzing as my “page for the day” this past Wednesday. I enjoyed helping Logan learn about the legislative process here in the Senate. Logan just finished his freshman year at Quincy University, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Philosophy. After graduating, Logan wants to enter the job force as a programmer, or the idea of seminary has crossed his mind. Good luck Logan!

Students could soon hit the books to learn about hunting safety under a measure sponsored in the Illinois Senate by Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville). House Bill 3462 would give school districts the option to include hunting safety classes in their curriculum as a unit of instruction on hunting education.

Under SJRCA 1, there are no provisions in place to prevent future rates from being raised, creating greater uncertainty for taxpayers who are already on the fence about leaving Illinois. It is important to note that since the Governor announced so-called “fair tax” rates, they have already changed.

The month of May has been declared Motorcycle Awareness Month in Illinois. All riders are urged to take precautions to increase their visibility.

A number of pieces of legislation have recently passed the Illinois Senate including a bill to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a measure that would help fund pediatric cancer awareness, and a measure aimed at ensuring Illinois schools receive property tax money committed to them. Also this week, on Earth Day, a coalition of Illinois agencies unveiled measures that would preserve Monarch butterflies.

The state's leading health department has announced steps to increase accessibility of vaccines. They're expanding outreach efforts in hopes of increasing vaccination rates across the state, in response to Illinois’ seven measles cases

Participants will learn more about legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly such as the graduated income tax increase, gun control, the proposed legalization of marijuana, job creation, and other important issues facing the state. The forum is open to the public and member of the media.

Illinois Senate Republicans are back in their districts until April 30, when they return to Springfield to finish out the Spring Legislative Session. So far this legislative session, several measures sponsored by Senate Republicans have advanced to the House of Representatives after receiving approval from the Senate, including a bill that increases awareness of Scott’s Law. Women older than the age of 25 who are seeking to earn undergraduate college degrees are encouraged to apply for the Conference of Women Legislators $2,500 scholarship. As severe weather season ramps up, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has announced steps to help residents recover from any disaster.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: A town hall forum will be held on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Katy Cavins Community Center in O’Fallon. Participants will learn more about legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly.

MEDIA WELCOME: Visit the District office for Senator Jason Plummer for a private tour and debrief on various news and happenings in Springfield. Sen. Plummer will share insights into the passage of legislation he is sponsoring.

State Senator Jason Plummer is ready to welcome you to his new District Office in Vandalia. Join him for an OPEN HOUSE on April 17, from 3-6 p.m. Please RSVP to senator@senatorjasonplummer.com.

The electric cooperatives of Illinois are giving tomorrow’s leaders the opportunity to learn from lawmakers via Youth Day 2019.

"The broken record of increasing our taxes has been played out enough. Raise taxes, spend the funds irresponsibly, realize the true problem has not been addressed, orchestrate a plan to bamboozle the taxpayers—then tax some more!"

Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Commission) will present 27 Illinoisans and businesses with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award on Tuesday, April 9. The award recognizes volunteers and volunteer programs that have made a difference in Illinois and highlights the importance of volunteerism and community service.

Sen. Plummer supports a new plan to support middle income taxpayers. Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 12 calls for an amendment to Illinois’ Constitution to prohibit the legislature from imposing or raising a state tax or fee except through legislation approved by a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the Senate and House.

Senate Committees met throughout the week, considering a wide variety of legislation ahead of the March 22 deadline to move Senate Bills out of committees. From controversial measures, like a proposal to repeal parental notification for abortions, to legislation that would target fentanyl, and a measure to protect victims in sexual harassment cases, many pieces of legislation were considered in Senate committees this week.

Under the bill, girls would have the freedom to jump to termination without notifying their parents—keeping moms and dads in the dark and out of the conversation.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are providing free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in over 300 locations statewide.  

The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign is part of the Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs supported through federal funds administered by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management officials are reminding residents that good preparation and knowing what to do in a flood can increase chances of survival when flooding occurs in your area.