Rock Island Today

Representative Dan Swanson provided an update on May 24, 2024, detailing several key issues as the legislative session in Springfield nears its end. With additional session days scheduled for the weekend, many bills remain on the calendar.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a series of highway projects in the 71st District. These projects, totaling over $283 million across 70 initiatives, aim to improve infrastructure and create construction jobs. "They will also mean more work zones," Swanson noted, urging residents to exercise caution around road construction areas.

Swanson also addressed legislation aimed at ending taxpayer-funded health care for undocumented immigrants. He co-sponsored House Bill 5846, which seeks to repeal the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) programs. "Illinois simply cannot afford to pay for these programs while health care costs for Illinoisans continue to go through the roof," he stated. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee awaiting a hearing.

In another legislative effort, Swanson highlighted his support for SB 2976, which proposes creating a State Historic Preservation Board. This board would advise on managing Illinois' historic sites. Swanson emphasized the need for funding historic sites like Bishop Hill and Carl Sandburg Birthplace in his district. "We are seeking to ensure that historic sites be ranked in such a way that those sites ranked near the top would get priority for state funding," he explained.

Swanson also discussed House Bill 4241, designed to protect students from sexual assault by establishing abuse of power by an educator or authority figure as an offense. The bill passed unanimously in the House but has stalled in the Senate. A press conference was held recently to urge Senate leadership to advance this legislation.

Additional news items included a judge temporarily blocking an election law favoring Democrats, Illinois reverting back to ACT requirements for high school graduation, police officers receiving Medals of Honor for heroism, advice on dealing with snakes as warm weather approaches, and popular baby names in Illinois for 2023.