Illinois State Rep. Dennis Tipsword Jr. (R-Pontiac)
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Elected State Legislators
Recent News About Illinois State Rep. Dennis Tipsword Jr. (R-Pontiac)
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Gun Ban Opponents Appeal to SCOTUS, Professional Licensing Issues Addressed, Ag Week Celebrated, and More
Opponents of the Democrats’ firearms ban have formally appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to have their voices heard against the Illinois law. The appeal papers were filed on Monday, March 11.In response to defenders of the ban asserting it as a reasonable limit on Second Amendment rights, critics and opponents point to recent federal court decisions on firearms rights. They also highlight flaws in the Illinois law, including inconsistencies in defining banned items.Meanwhile, a controversial law limiting constitutional challenges to Cook and Sangamon County was ruled...
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Tipsword Meets Normal FFA Students at Springfield FFA Seminar
Rep. Tipsword this week was able to meet with students from Normal FFA and Agriscience Program who participated in the FFA Agriculture Legislative Reception and Seminar at the Capitol. “These are dedicated young people, and I have no doubt that the future of Illinois Agriculture is bright,” Rep. Tipsword said.
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Celebrate International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the cultural, economic, and political accomplishments and contributions of women. Thank you to the trailblazing women who worked to achieve gender equality in the United States and across the globe!
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### Emissions Standards, Human Trafficking, Emerging Women Leaders at the Capitol, and More
Governor Pritzker's proposed budget for FY25 has stirred discussions, with analysts highlighting more than $2 billion in new State spending backed by $1 billion in new taxes. The budget includes funding for existing programs, notably healthcare initiatives for undocumented immigrants costing nearly $1 billion annually.In response to the growing issue of human trafficking, a bill package has been introduced to provide protections for victims in Illinois. House Republicans are actively working to combat this crisis and ensure the safety of individuals affected.Concerns...
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New Bills Fight Human Trafficking
In response to the escalating issue of human trafficking fueled by the open border crisis, House Republicans have introduced a comprehensive bill package aimed at combating this epidemic. The bills provide protections to individuals who have become victims of human trafficking.According to an unnamed source, "Our open border crisis has fueled human trafficking across the country and right here in Illinois." This statement underscores the urgency and seriousness of the situation at hand.Furthermore, the same source highlighted the proactive approach taken by House...
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SCOTUS Overturns Trump Ballot Disqualification
The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that states cannot remove Presidential Candidate Donald Trump from primary ballots. This decision overturns a Colorado ruling that would have removed Trump from the ballot there and will likely end a similar case initiated last week here in Illinois.The ruling by the Supreme Court comes as a significant victory for the Trump campaign. In a statement following the decision, Trump's legal team expressed their satisfaction. "We are pleased with the Supreme Court's decision and believe it upholds the democratic process," said a...
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Tax Increases, Gas Prices, Veteran-owned Businesses, and More
The Illinois House is back in session in Springfield next week with a lot of work to do. As reported, the average price of gasohol in Illinois has surged 26.4 cents per gallon over the past month due to the transition to more expensive motor fuel mixtures. Market watchers attribute this increase to the annual switch from 'wintertime blends' to pricier fuel mixtures mandated in Chicago and St. Louis during warmer months.In addition to rising gas prices, Illinois residents are also facing potential tax hikes. Governor Pritzker's FY25 budget proposal includes nearly $1...
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IDOC Announces Hiring Events Across Illinois
IDOC is Hiring!In addition to the Illinois Department of Corrections applicant screening last month in Pontiac, IDOC is holding hiring events across the state in March and April. Find the full list of events at: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.29672.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/ilidoc/posts/pfbid02aSzct3qFqHX5vrxsUGfdMJaSTTD4LesRpm7JcTnFHidFAC7Zn8t9bwmntyLpHDJbl
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Is Unclaimed Cash Waiting for You?
""Illinois’ unclaimed property program, ICASH, is helping residents reunite with their missing money, including forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks, dividends, or life insurance policies of deceased relatives. According to the program, one in four Illinois adults discover property to claim when they search, with an average claim of $1,000. The State Treasurer is currently holding over $5 billion in unclaimed funds, urging residents to check if some of it belongs to them."
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Citizens Rally Against Democrat Attempt to Force California Emissions Standards on Illinois Families
On February 27, 2024, a new Democrat legislation proposing that Illinois adhere to ultra-strict California vehicle emissions standards has sparked backlash among citizens and lawmakers. In a recent statement, "The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans" highlighted their efforts, stating, "House Republicans Working to Keep Radical California Emission Standards out of Illinois."The proposed legislation has raised concerns among various groups in Illinois, with critics arguing that adopting California's emission standards would negatively impact truckers, motorists,...
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Illinois Governor Proposes Record Budget with Increased Spending on Migrants
Illinois Governor Pritzker has recently unveiled a historic budget proposal totaling $52.7 billion, the largest in the state's history. As part of this budget, there are plans to allocate a significant amount of funding towards supporting migrants in the state. According to Rep. Dennis Tipsword, there are concerns about the allocation of taxpayer dollars towards illegal migrants. He expressed his apprehension stating, "Governor Pritzker just proposed the largest budget in state history... preparing to spend hundreds of millions more of YOUR taxpayer dollars on illegal...
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Corruption Sentence, Budget Address, Gun Ban Update, and More
Former Speaker Mike Madigan’s Chief of Staff, Tim Mapes, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for making false declarations before a grand jury and obstruction of justice. Mapes was held accountable for his wrongful attempt to guard the corrupt ways of Mike Madigan. As House Republicans have pushed for tighter ethics laws, one of the recently filed bills, HB 4119, aims to prevent defendants from using campaign contributions for their legal defense, highlighting the need for ethics reform.In addition to Mapes, federal prosecutors in Chicago secured several convictions...
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Thank You, School Resource Officers!
Today, we take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for the School Resource Officers (SROs) who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the safety and well-being of our students and communities. On this special occasion of SRO Appreciation Day, we honor these law enforcement officers for their invaluable service.The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) recognizes the crucial role that SROs play in creating a safe and secure environment within our educational institutions. Their presence not only ensures the protection of students and staff but...
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Happy Birthday, Abe!
Today, February 12th, marks a significant day in American history as we celebrate the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Born in 1809, President Lincoln's legacy continues to resonate throughout the nation, particularly in his home state of Illinois. His tireless efforts to end slavery in the United States have left an indelible mark on our society.President Lincoln's impact on Illinois cannot be overstated. His time spent in the state shaped his political career and his understanding of the issues facing the nation. It was in Illinois that Lincoln honed his skills as...
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House Republicans Lay Out Budget Priorities, School Safety Officers Discussed, and More
House Republicans have announced their priorities for the new state budget in Illinois. These priorities include no new taxes, tackling pension debt, improving state agency efficiency, funding education, and prioritizing services for Illinois citizens. With the current expenditure on caring for migrants, finding funding for other programs and services will be a challenge.In other news, a controversial immigrant healthcare program in Illinois is running hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. The "Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults" (HBIA) and "Health Benefits for...
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Tipsword Discusses Business in Livingston County
Livingston County, Illinois - In a show of support for local businesses, Representative Tipsword attended the Annual Dinner of the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council forecast dinner. The event, held this week, highlighted the achievements of the local workforce and provided an opportunity for Tipsword to engage with entrepreneurs and discuss ways to enhance the jobs climate in Illinois.During the dinner, Tipsword expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "I am pleased to be a part of this gathering that highlights the important role played by...
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Tipsword Sponsors "School Safety Officer" Legislation
Rep. Tipsword is sponsoring legislation that aims to enhance school safety by allowing schools to hire school safety officers. The proposed legislation seeks to protect students and staff from harm and foster a positive relationship between students and law enforcement. Rep. Tipsword recently discussed the details of the legislation in an interview with Newschannel 20 in Springfield.During the interview, Rep. Tipsword emphasized the importance of having dedicated individuals who can focus on ensuring the safety and security of students within the school premises. He...
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Proposed Criminal Justice Reform Raises Concerns about Public Safety
A new piece of legislation introduced in the House by a Representative from Chicago has raised concerns about public safety. Critics argue that if this bill passes and becomes law, it could have dangerous consequences for law enforcement and the general public.One critic highlighted a scenario where a vehicle is exhibiting multiple violations, including driving without headlights, license plates, and a muffler, while also speeding and driving under the influence. Under the proposed legislation, law enforcement officers would not be able to stop and investigate such a...
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New Criminal Justice Bill Further Endangers our Communities
Rep. Dennis Tipsword, Chief Deputy in the Woodford County Sheriff’s Department, has expressed concerns about a new Democrat-sponsored criminal justice "reform" measure, stating that it could pose serious dangers to our communities. Speaking about the potential consequences of the bill, Tipsword presented a real-life scenario: a vehicle with numerous violations, such as no headlights, no license plates, no muffler, speeding 25mph above the limit, and being driven by someone three times the legal limit for DUI. If the bill becomes law, Tipsword argues that he, as a Deputy...
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Chicago to Halt Construction of Migrant Shelter Space
Chicago has announced its decision to cease the construction of migrant shelter spaces as part of its efforts to combat homelessness in the city. The initial plan, under Mayor Brandon Johnson, was to build housing spaces for all, including migrants. However, due to the influx of thousands of migrants in the latter half of 2023, the city had resorted to the idea of erecting "industrial tents." Now, a spokesperson for the city has confirmed that the tents will no longer be built. The city's focus will instead shift towards collaborating with the private sector and seeking...