South West Illinois News

State Representative David Friess has shared his reflections on the responsibilities of his role and provided updates on recent events in Illinois politics. As the 104th General Assembly commences, Friess expressed concerns over the rules adopted by the Illinois House, which he believes consolidate power with the Speaker of the House. He argues that this centralization hinders bipartisan collaboration and meaningful debate on critical issues such as gerrymandering reform, term limits, and tax relief.

Friess stated, "Unfortunately, the Democrat supermajority chose to adopt the same rules that have allowed one individual, the Speaker of the House, to wield immense power over what gets debated, what gets voted on, and ultimately, what laws are passed." He added that Republicans proposed changes to make legislative processes more accountable but these were rejected.

In a bid to enhance accountability in government, Friess joined Rep. Dan Ugaste at a press conference in Springfield to introduce two legislative measures. The first is House Bill 5924 which would enable local voters to recall ineffective elected officials. The second measure is House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 22 which seeks to expand recall provisions to state legislators and other statewide officials. Friess emphasized that these initiatives aim to empower citizens while maintaining governmental stability.

The Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) Program recently hosted its annual Midway Dinner at 1860 Public House in Red Bud, IL. Sarah Hartwick from Illinois Education Workforce Policy was a guest speaker at this event which brought together mentors and mentees for discussions on education and workforce development.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was celebrated on January 9th with Friess acknowledging law enforcement officers' dedication and sacrifices. He urged community members to express gratitude towards officers and their families who support them.

Friess remains committed to representing his district's values as he embarks on another term in office. Constituents are encouraged to reach out with questions or concerns through his district office or online.