Bree Gonzales Stories | Illinois Valley Times

Demmer says LaSalle Veterans' Home tragedy is 'a stunning portrait of a failure in leadership at every level'

By Bree Gonzales | May 5, 2021

Republican lawmakers cited a report by the Illinois Department of Human Services Inspector General when blaming what they call a lack of leadership behind the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home last fall.

Hearing witness Mozaffar: 'This bill is an early intervention for adult hate crimes'

By Bree Gonzales | Apr 26, 2021

Senate Education Committee Minority Spokesperson Sue Rezin (R-Morris) recently clarified appropriation for SB 673, an anti-bullying bill.

Swanson honors Eagle Scout from Troop 1063

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 25, 2021

State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) attended a local Boy Scout event recognizing one of the Eagle Scouts of the Class of 2020 from Troop 1063.

Rezin receives FOIA documents on vets' COVID deaths; 'We need answers'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 23, 2021

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has received documents sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in LaSalle that took the lives of 36 veterans.

Stoller: Pritzker's Bridge to Phase 5 plan 'confusing and ambiguous'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 23, 2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois is in disarray, according to state Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills).

Candidate Lauf promises to 'put people back in charge'

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 17, 2021

Her calling to public service is built on sustaining and upholding the American Dream Catalina Lauf said.

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Welter asks commitment from Morgan on amending HB0705

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 15, 2021

State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) stated his viewpoint on the scope of House Bill HB 705 or the Natural Gas-Verified Leaks that amends the Underground Natural Gas Storage Safety Act.

Animal lover Rep. Friess asks for clarification on Human Care for Animals Act

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 10, 2021

During a recent House Judiciary Criminal Committee session, Illinois State Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) sought clarification on the proposed HB 168, amending the Human Care for Animals Act.

Rezin: 'They have been slow-logging investigation' on LaSalle Veterans Home

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 8, 2021

Sen. Sue Rezin, in a radio interview for WMAY News with Greg Bishop, talked about the deadly COVID outbreak and deaths at the LaSalle Veterans Home.

Spain urges bipartisan redistricting

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 4, 2021

In a recent caucus podcast, Illinois State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) talked about a sundry set of issues that includes the need for regular redistricting of Illinois, Fair Maps, and the practice of gerrymandering that he says is continuously blocking a successful bipartisan approach in the House.

Welter: Fatal errors at LaSalle Veterans Home must be audited

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 3, 2021

State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) introduced IL HR0062 which would seek answers on the alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home.

Rezin: Pritzker must explain COVID outbreak at LaSalle Veterans Home

By Bree Gonzales | Mar 3, 2021

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) blames the Pritzker Administration for its failure to implement audit recommendations which resulted in deaths and COVID-19 infections at the LaSalle Veterans Home.

Rezin: Pritzker's $1.7B budget doesn't address financial crisis

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 22, 2021

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) approved Pritzker’s commitment to nuclear energy but said that the plan for Fiscal Year 2022 is out-of-balance.

Demmer: Pritzker’s plan is blind from realites

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 22, 2021

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), critical of Gov. Pritzker’s budget proposal, said that the governor “ignored spending realities and kicked the can down the road.”

Demmer: By law, budget is required to be balanced

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 15, 2021

State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) asked for a balanced budget days before Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives his annual budget address.

Demmer: "New" rules are 99.5 percent the same, circumvent constitutional rights

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 12, 2021

Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) likens HR 72, the resolution to adopt House Rules for the 102nd Illinois General Assembly, to dishonest car commercials.

Rezin asks why Illinois' vaccination distribution ranks among worst in country

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 3, 2021

IIllinois is in the bottom 10 in overall vaccine distribution in the U.S., according to a chart published in The New York Times on Feb. 2.

Demmer: Enough playing political games

By Bree Gonzales | Feb 2, 2021

Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), a member of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, said that the Illinois State Board of Education’s proposed Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards project politics instead of enhancing basic education.