Illinois Valley Times

In an April 17 Facebook post, Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) promoted a series of Republican initiatives he says will support businesses in Illinois.

"Rather than weighing our businesses down with onerous regulations and wrapping them up in red tape, we need to support our businesses and show them through our policies that we appreciate their choice to locate in Illinois," Chesney posted.

Chesney shared a link to a news release about Republican lawmakers' initiatives to support businesses and boost economic development.

“Illinois can and must do more to let businesses know that we value them and appreciate their decisions to locate and operate in the State of Illinois. Unfortunately, the policies coming out of Springfield convey just the opposite. We make our business owners jump through an inordinate number of hoops and we wrap them up in red tape,” said Chesney. “Rather than stifling the state’s job creators, let’s help them grow.”

Sponsored by Chesney and Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-Woodstock), Senate Bill 2140 would amend "the Limited Liability Company Act. Reduces various filing fees payable to the Secretary of State by 50%." It would go into effect immediately upon passage. Chesney filed the bill on Feb. 10. The same day, it was referred to the Assignments Committee, and that was the last action on the bill.

Chesney also cosponsored Senate Bill 140, which would eliminate the Estate Tax for persons dying on or after the effective date, or for transfers made on or after the effective date. This bill was sponsored initially by Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and co-sponsored by Sens. Chesney, Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia), Dave Syverson (R-Sycamore), Wilcox and Win Stoller (R-Peoria). It was initially filed on Jan. 24, 2023, and the last action was March 10, when it was re-referred to the assignments committee.

Chesney has represented the 89th District since December 2018. He has served as an elected member of the Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of the Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP)—an organization that provides support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.