It seems like every time I’m out at an event in the community, I run into someone who knows me because they see my column or byline in the paper each week. I feel like I have friends wherever I … more

As I continue to meet with people in the 93 rd  Assembly District, folks have started to ask me about the state-wide referendum question on their ballots in the upcoming election. The question … more

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I am committed to advocating for increased awareness and action on this critical issue. Domestic violence is not only a violation of human rights but … more

There’s always a sense of urgency to get outdoor chores completed when the calendar turns to fall. These are tasks that could have been done anytime earlier in the summer but since I am a … more

School is back in session, and last month I had the pleasure of visiting some high school students. Walking through those hallways is always a bit surreal—it feels like just yesterday I was the … more

My beautiful wife grew up in Oak Lawn, Ill., a Chicago suburb of about 100,000 people, most of them of Italian and Polish descent. Ruth’s family attended the only Lutheran church in the entire … more

Every day, we rely on our state’s investments in infrastructure. From driving to the grocery store to learning in high-tech school buildings, infrastructure is crucial for our personal and … more

As the ranking Democratic member on the Senate Utilities Committee, I’ve spent much of my career fighting to make utility costs more affordable for families while addressing the urgent need to … more

Change can be good, but change can also be really difficult. I am a creature of habit and am not a big fan of change. I often wonder how my grandparents handled the momentous changes they witnessed … more

What is sustainability? What does it mean to be sustainable and why is it so important? How might sustainability impact our lives on a day-to-day or long-term basis? What can you or I do to be more … more