For months, Senate Republicans have called on the Pritzker Administration for more inclusion of the legislature in all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including the state’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Seeking a solution, and acting on a suggestion by the Governor, over the past several weeks, Senators have been in contact with local health departments, including a Zoom meeting last week with more than 40 county officials, working to identify the major issues they are experiencing in getting vaccinations to their residents.

On behalf of the restaurants, retailers and businesses in the 58th Senate District, State Senator Terri Byrant is speaking out against a specific component of Gov. Pritzker’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal.

Speaking on behalf of the business and medical communities in her district, Senator Bryant issued a letter to urge Gov. Pritzker to veto the prejudgment interest bill that was passed during the waning hours of the “lame-duck” session in January.

Prioritizing those hit hardest throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration began accepting applications on Feb. 24 from businesses with fewer than 20 employees for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Those who meet the criteria have until March 10 to apply.

Following last week’s freezing temperatures, many communities across Illinois are grappling with massive spikes in natural gas prices, with some being forced to pay 100 times their normal costs. For some of the affected communities, this will likely mean monthly natural gas bills that are substantially higher than what they would normally pay for an entire year.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is urging drivers to slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles. This latest Scott’s Law campaign comes after 10 Illinois State Police troopers have been victims of violations so far this year.

“By signing House Bill 3653, the Governor made a statement to the citizens of Illinois that he doesn’t value the democratic process or the safety of Illinoisans. "This was a bill that was rammed through the General Assembly without proper public input or vetting, completely disregarding the process by which a real representative government should be operating.

On Feb. 11, the Illinois Senate Health Committee met virtually for the first time to discuss Illinois’ ongoing vaccine rollout. However, much to the frustration of Republican members on the committee, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike had a schedule conflict and was unavailable to address many of the questions from Committee members. 

On Wednesday morning, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) heard a controversial rule promulgated by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Pritzker presented his Fiscal Year 2022 budget blueprint in a pre-recorded speech delivered from a new vaccine clinic at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The Pritzker budget calls for $41.6 billion in spending and ignores a Constitutional requirement that budgets be balanced according to existing revenue. Despite the Constitutional mandate, Gov. Pritzker is relying on $1.5 billion in funds that do not statutorily exist today.

On Feb. 17, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered a combined State of the State and Budget Address virtually to members of the General Assembly. Following the hybrid Address, State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued the following statement:

The Senate’s regularly scheduled legislative session was canceled this week, but Senators continued their work remotely. The Senate’s Labor, Commerce, and Health committees met to discuss a variety of issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate Labor Committee heard testimony about the ongoing issues with the state’s unemployment insurance system. Senate Republicans expressed concern over the continued fraudulent claims, the long call-back times, and IDES offices remaining closed.

This week, after hearing calls from the public to prioritize those most vulnerable to COVID-19, the Governor announced the expansion of Phase 1B vaccine eligibility to include those with underlying health conditions.

State Senator Bryant received feedback from local law enforcement after hosting a Zoom video conference last week about the controversial criminal justice reform proposal that is awaiting action from the Governor. Throughout the week, Senate Republicans brought together almost 500 representatives of Illinois’ law enforcement community to discuss House Bill 3653. This radical proposal would change Illinois’ criminal justice system and impact how law enforcement professionals are able to perform their duties.

With Region 4 officially moving to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is doubling down on her calls to the Governor to improve COVID-19 vaccine distribution and access throughout Southern Illinois.

A proposed rule by the Illinois State Board of Education that would require educators to embrace and encourage progressive viewpoints and perspectives is set to come before the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules for approval. By signing this petition you are urging the members of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules to vote against implementing social activism in our schools.

This week, newly-compiled and shocking numbers related to the state’s vaccination rollout warrant the need for a clear explanation from the Pritzker Administration. Meanwhile, I joined with my Republican colleagues to continue our calls to action against controversial criminal justice reform legislation that could pose a risk to community safety. 

State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) has been appointed to serve in a new leadership role as the Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee in the 102nd General Assembly.

On January 28, State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) joined her Senate Republican colleagues to issue a letter to Governor J.B. Pritkzer asking for the Administration to answer for failures with the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Just two weeks ago, on January 13, I stood with my Senate Republican colleagues during our Inauguration Day ceremony, taking the Oath of Office and promising to do everything in my power to represent ​the hardworking men and women of the 58th District. 

This is my first official full week as the senator for the 58th District. Little did I know that this time would be spent combing through the numerous controversial bills that were ramrodded through the General Assembly at all hours of the day and night during last week's lame-duck session spectacle. During the last-minute legislative push, several contentious bills were pushed through both chambers, including a major criminal justice reform bill that is essentially a backdoor ​“defund police” plan. Lawmakers also voted on major rewrites to existing laws, including the school code, labor laws, and an update to the recreational cannabis system.

Recently, it was announced that Governor Pritzker intends to prioritize prisoner vaccinations before individuals with underlying health conditions and other workers in industries with increased risks for exposure as part of revisions to his COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

Newly-elected Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) was sworn in to the 102nd General Assembly this week, affirming her position in the Illinois Senate as the State Senator for the 58th District.

State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is sharing information from the Attorney General’s Office to help individuals take steps to help protect personal or financial information from being compromised.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) have announced deadlines for competitive grant programs for the 2021 calendar year.