Senator Sally Turner’s Celiac Food Safety Legislation Becomes Law
Illinoisans living with Celiac Disease will soon have greater peace of mind when dining out, thanks to legislation championed by State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) that has now been signed into law.
Senate Bill 1288 requires all Illinois food handlers to receive training on Celiac Disease and the safe handling of gluten-free foods. It also enhances allergen awareness by recognizing sesame as a major allergen and ensuring food workers are educated on the risks of gluten exposure.
Celiac Disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide. Even small amounts of gluten can cause painful and harmful reactions in those with the condition. The new law requires training to cover key topics such as symptoms of Celiac Disease, proper cleaning procedures, avoiding cross-contact, and accurate labeling of gluten-free items.
Senate Bill 1288 passed the General Assembly unanimously and was signed by the Governor on August 1.
Senate Republicans Call Out Pritzker’s Redistricting Record
As Governor JB Pritzker once again tries to raise his national profile by weighing in on political debates in other states, his latest comments on redistricting are drawing sharp criticism back home. Senate Republicans say the governor has no credibility on the issue after breaking a major campaign promise and rigging Illinois’ elections to protect his party’s power.
On the campaign trail, Pritzker pledged to support independent redistricting and veto gerrymandered maps, but once in office, he reversed course. In 2021, he signed partisan maps drawn in secret by Democratic lawmakers. Republicans say the maps were designed to protect Democratic control, not ensure fair representation.
Critics say Pritzker is now faking outrage over fairness while inserting himself into redistricting debates out of state. After setting the standard for partisan manipulation in Illinois, they say his calls for fairness ring hollow and appear more focused on political advantage than principle.
Republicans argue that if the rules only matter when his party benefits, it was never about voters or fairness. Instead of correcting the damage already done, Pritzker appears ready to double down. They say Illinois families deserve a transparent redistricting process, not more political games from Springfield.
New Measure Signed into Law Targeting Gun Owners
Last week, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 8 into law, a measure that Senate Republicans say targets responsible gun owners instead of addressing violent crime.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the deadline to report a lost or stolen firearm will be shortened from 72 hours to just 48 hours. Anyone who misses that window could face heavy fines and even lose their FOID card, with repeat violations leading to more severe penalties.
Senate Republicans say this new law punishes people for being the victim of a crime. Many gun owners securely store firearms in safes, cabins, or vehicles that are not checked daily, making a 48-hour rule unrealistic.
State Senator Sally Turner argues that this new law is just another one-size-fits-all mandate that turns law-abiding citizens into offenders while failing to crack down on actual criminals.
Illinois Ranked Highest for Property Taxes in the Nation
Illinois has taken the top spot for the highest property tax rate in the country.
According to the Tax Foundation, Illinois homeowners paid an average effective property tax rate of 1.83% in 2023. By comparison, residents in neighboring states face significantly lower property tax rates, one of many factors driving people to leave Illinois.
This ranking comes just weeks after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the largest state budget in Illinois history, which included nearly $1 billion in new tax hikes, fees, and one-time gimmicks.
State Senator Sally Turner said the Governor’s agenda is crushing working families, piling even more taxes onto Illinoisans. Instead of making life more affordable by supporting Republican-backed property tax relief legislation, Pritzker and his allies are choosing to spend more, tax more, and ignore real reforms that could actually bring relief to homeowners.
New Security Measures Implemented for the 2025 Illinois State Fair
With the Illinois State Fair right around the corner, State Fair officials have announced new security measures to help keep fairgoers safe. From stricter entry screenings to updated rules on carry-in items, here’s what you need to know ahead of the fair’s August 7 opening.
The expanded list of items not allowed on fairgrounds includes:
- Firearms (all guns, with concealed carry prohibited)
- Weapons of any kind – from knives and pepper spray to stun guns, brass knuckles, batons, and bats
- Illegal substances
- Drones or laser pointers
- Fireworks or flammable materials
These measures are implemented to ensure the safety of all fairgoers and to eliminate the risk of potential hazards.
Additionally, there will be metal detectors and bag checks at all Grandstand entrances, and no bags of any kind larger than 14”x8” are permitted in the grandstands. Fair officials are also urging those who bought tickets with their mobile devices to download their tickets to their phones to avoid line pileups due to spotty Wi-Fi around the grandstand.
With these precautions in place, everyone can look forward to enjoying the fair safely this year. The fair will run from August 7 through August 17.
Admission is $10 for adults on Fridays and Saturday ($5 on Sunday through Thursday), $3 for senior citizens (60+), and free for kids (0-12). For daily schedules and lists of vendors, competitions, attractions, and the Grandstand lineup, check out the Illinois State Fair website.
August is Emergency Management Awareness Month
August is Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the important work of emergency managers who help keep communities safe before, during, and after disasters. These professionals play a critical role in preparing for emergencies, coordinating disaster responses, and supporting recovery efforts.
According to the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), local and county emergency management teams work to ensure that residents are informed, protected, and supported in times of crisis.
For more information about emergency management, visit IAEM’s website.