The Spring Legislative Session is over! What a final couple of weeks it was. There were many long days that stretched far into the evening (or even the next day!), but it was all worth it. Even though I’m very disappointed in the budget that was passed (more on that below), it’s always an honor to serve as Representative of the 82nd District. Progress was made, as good bills were passed such as SB 3606 (which we’ll also look at below).
Next week’s newsletter will feature an end-of-session recap, spotlighting the bills I’ve sponsored this spring. I am confident these bills will positively impact our community and I’m excited to share them with you!
Thank you for reading. I’m looking forward to being in district even more this summer and all of our upcoming events!
State Representative Nicole La Ha
82nd District
Budget Statement
As your State Representative, I am incredibly disappointed in this budget, which leaves behind the people of Illinois. Hard-working families, individuals with developmental disabilities, and the most vulnerable in our communities have been given little consideration in this budget. Instead, we are seeing nearly $1 billion in higher taxes and out of control spending that will only hurt hardworking families.
This is the largest partisan spending plan in state history, yet it is only adding further strain on taxpayers’ wallets. As legislators, we don’t need pay raises, we need to establish a trusting relationship based on representing the real needs of families. Instead of serving the people they represent and working to improve their lives, the majority party has chosen to give themselves an unneeded pay raise all while introducing a shocking amount of new taxes. Is this how we help families who are struggling? Absolutely not! Not only that, but while families in our communities are struggling to make ends meet, there are hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending allocated for non-citizens.
This budget is not sustainable and only goes to further burden the hard-working families of our great state. I am committed to serving the families of our communities and not making their lives harder. That’s why I voted no.
Read more about the FY25 state budget at: The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans: Democrats vote for tax hikes, political pay raises and a billion for non-citizens in FY25 Budget
Children’s Safety Expo
Sen. Republican Leader John Curran and I would like to personally invite you to our Children’s Safety Expo, a free family-friendly event promoting child safety, education, and fun! The event will take place this Saturday, June 1st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lakeview Junior High School, located at 701 Plainfield Road, Downers Grove, IL.
We are thrilled to host this event and bring together so many valuable resources for families in our community. The Children’s Safety Expo is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about safety in a fun and engaging way.
Our Children’s Safety Expo will feature a variety of interactive activities and informative demonstrations designed to educate and entertain children and their families. Highlights of the event include:
Touch a Truck: Kids will have the exciting opportunity to explore various vehicles, including fire trucks, police cars, and construction equipment.
Brookfield Zoo Ambassador Animals: Enjoy fascinating live demonstrations and learn about wildlife conservation from the experts at Brookfield Zoo.
Darien Police K-9 Unit: Watch thrilling demonstrations by the Darien Police Department’s K-9 unit and meet the canine officers.
Traveling World of Reptiles: Discover the intriguing world of reptiles with live presentations that are both educational and entertaining.
The expo will also offer numerous other activities and informational booths. Full list of participants and activities on the flyer above.
SB 3606 Passes to Enhance Special Education Services
One of my co-sponsored bills that passed last week that I’m particularly proud of is SB 3606.
SB 3606 amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code, expanding the definition of “special educational facilities and services” to include private special schools and separate public special education day schools. This change is designed to ensure that all children with disabilities receive the support and resources they need to thrive academically.
Senate Bill 3606 represents a crucial step forward in ensuring that children with disabilities receive the quality education they deserve, regardless of the setting. I am grateful for this bill’s passage as I know the tremendous impact it will have on children with disabilities and their families. I am proud to be the chief co-sponsor of this bill.
To read more, visit Rep. Nicole La Ha Announces Passage of SB 3606 to Enhance Special Education Services – Nicole La Ha (replaha.com).
My Experiences as a New Legislator
Click the link below to watch a short video where I talk about my experiences as a new legislator!
Rep. Nicole La Ha Shares Experiences as a New Legislator (Video) – Nicole La Ha (replaha.com)