Illinois Valley Times

Senator Brian Stewart continues his engagement efforts by attending a recognition ceremony at his Summer Reading Club Program at the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square in Freeport before he leaves office in 2023.

“Reading can take us to many different places and opens doors for new ideas and activities,” the leaving Senator wrote on Facebook. “We are very proud of these students for their commitment to reading this summer, which also helps them better prepare for the upcoming school year. We hope they enjoyed the exciting adventures they found in the books they read.”

Stewart also hosted this event in 2018.

Reading program participants in the 45th Senate District and 89th House District were challenged to read eight books over the summer, with books over 150 pages counting for two books. Participants who read those eight books were invited to the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Site for an official presentation of certificates, and an ice cream party at the legendary Union Dairy Ice Cream Parlor next door.

As Stewart departs, Democrat candidate Gerald Podraza and Republican candidate Andrew Chesney will face each other on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election. Regional Media News Chesney was also at the 2022 recognition ceremony.

In August, Stewart called the Illinois Department of Corrections' (IDOC) healthcare "shameful" when the Department of Corrections was held in contempt for failing to implement fixes to their healthcare for inmates.

“It’s shameful that IDOC can’t even produce a court-ordered plan to address the medical care needs of people in their care,” Stewart wrote in a newsletter.

Vote Smart noted that Stewart and Chesney have actively voted against abortion accessibility.

He has also spoken about the suspension of household hazardous waste collection events, due to an incident at an incinerator in Ohio.

“Upcoming fall Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events in Tinley Park, East Moline, Bloomington, Quincy, and Springfield — as well as long-term HHW disposal facilities in Chicago, Naperville, Lake County, Rockford, and Madison County that Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports — have suspended operations until an alternative incinerator willing to accept Illinois’ HHW is identified,” Stewart said.