ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL
This week on the House Floor, I was honored to present Senate Joint Resolution 12, which declares 2026 as the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Year in Illinois.
This resolution encourages communities, historical societies, and state agencies to organize commemorative events as we celebrate 100 years of Route 66, the Mother Road, in Illinois. Please see my remarks here: Rep. Tipsword Commemorates 100 Years of Historic Route 66
WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD!
This week on the House Floor, I welcomed my page for the day, Erin Darnell of Metamora. Erin currently works as a dental hygienist, but she has gone back to school and is currently a senior political science major at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Capitol, Erin!
STATE CHAMPIONS FROM DISTRICT 105
Congratulations to our State Champions in District 105, including the El Paso/Gridley IHSA Class 1A Girls Track and Field team! Last week in Charleston, the Titans won the school’s first-ever track and field state championship. El Paso/Gridley won three events and set six school records on their way to winning the state title!
At the IHSA Class 2A Girls State Track and Field Meet in Charleston, Pontiac Township’s Maria Long won the long jump state title with a mark of 18′ 1.5″. Congratulations, Maria!
In junior high track, the Eureka Middle School boys captured the IESA Class 7-3A state championship last weekend in East Peoria. Congratulations to the Hornets on a dominant performance!
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Renovations Coming to the Lacon DMV Facility:
The Lacon DMV facility at 27 Prairie St. will be temporarily relocated to the Marshall County Highway Building at 552 State Route 26 in Lacon during the renovation period, which will be from May 30 at 1 p.m. through June 13. Hours at the temporary facility will be Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. through 5 p.m.
The renovated “One-Stop-Shop” Lacon DMV facility will re-open on Monday, June 16. For more information, please see the graphic above.
STATE BUDGET
The more things change, the more they stay the same in Illinois. A marathon day in Springfield has taken us past midnight on Saturday, but the Democrats were able to pass their bloated budget filled with tax increases and pork projects just before the calendar turned to June. Read my full statement at my website. Rep. Tipsword Reacts to Passage of FY 2026 State Budget – Dennis Tipsword
ENERGY COSTS
Illinoisans are going to pay more for electricity this summer because of failed liberal energy policies in Illinois. We need a better plan moving forward to secure affordable, reliable energy for our residents. Ameren Illinois customers warned of price spike on summer electricity bills
SCAM ALERT
Scam text messages have been making the rounds again in Illinois. This time, scammers are claiming to be from the “Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles.” If you receive one of these threatening messages, do not click any links or respond. Residents can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Illinois Secretary of State warns over DMV text scams – NBC Chicago
AGRICULTURE
Soybean and corn planting is nearly complete across the state. Thank you to our farmers for the work they do all year long to keep the world fed, clothed, and moving forward. Illinois planting progress continues to climb – Brownfield Ag News