McLean County Times

This week, Representative Dennis Tipsword presented Senate Joint Resolution 12 on the House Floor, marking 2026 as the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Year. The resolution encourages local communities, historical societies, and state agencies to plan events celebrating the centenary of Route 66 in Illinois.

In other news from Springfield, Rep. Tipsword welcomed Erin Darnell of Metamora as his page for the day. Erin is a dental hygienist pursuing a degree in political science at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Rep. Tipsword also congratulated several state champions from District 105. The El Paso/Gridley IHSA Class 1A Girls Track and Field team won their first-ever state championship last week in Charleston by winning three events and setting six school records. At the same meet, Pontiac Township’s Maria Long secured a long jump title with an impressive leap of 18′ 1.5″. Additionally, Eureka Middle School boys' track team won the IESA Class 7-3A state championship in East Peoria.

Renovations are underway at the Lacon DMV facility located at 27 Prairie St., temporarily moving operations to Marshall County Highway Building until June 13th. The revamped facility will reopen on June 16th.

On budget matters, Rep. Tipsword criticized Democrats for passing what he described as a "bloated budget filled with tax increases and pork projects." His full statement is available on his website.

Energy costs are set to rise this summer due to what Rep. Tipsword refers to as "failed liberal energy policies" in Illinois. He advocates for developing a better plan to ensure affordable and reliable energy for residents.

The Illinois Secretary of State has issued a scam alert regarding text messages falsely claiming affiliation with the "Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles." Residents are advised not to respond or click any links and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

Finally, soybean and corn planting across Illinois is nearing completion. Rep. Tipsword expressed gratitude towards farmers for their ongoing contributions throughout the year.