State Representative Brad Stephens

07/12/2021

Scammers Are Impersonating Nearly Every Illinois State Department In Phishing Schemes, And People Are Falling For It

Phishing scams are on the rise across Illinois and many are impersonating state agencies in texts, emails, and phone calls in an effort to obtain personal information from residents. Protect your information from scams:

- Delete suspicious emails or texts

- Never click links from an unknown sender

- Hang up on any calls asking you to take immediate action or provide personally identifiable information

- Keep software up to date, including phone and computer operating systems and antivirus protection programs

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/07/09/scammers-impersonating-illinois-state-departments-phishing-scams/

The Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Labor, Department of Employment Security, and Department of Transportation - we’ve tracked the scams that all of those state departments are dealing with right now.

07/09/2021

What Do You Need to Renew Your Illinois Drivers License? Here's the Latest

Illinois residents who need to renew their driver’s licenses or state ID cards now have until January 1, 2022 to do so. Here's what you'll need to renew your license at a Driver Services facility.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/what-do-you-need-to-renew-your-illinois-drivers-license-heres-the-latest/2549183/

Illinois residents who need to renew their driver’s licenses or state ID cards now have more time to do so under an extension granted by Secretary of State Jesse White’s office. But what will you need to renew a standard driver’s license in Illinois? Show document displaying proof of identific...

06/29/2021

National Weather Service Confirms 2 Tornados Struck Chicago Area Saturday

Severe weather and heavy rain has led to flooding in many parts of the state. During a flood, remember:

- Seek higher ground.
- Be aware of flash flood areas such as canals, streams, drainage channels, and underpasses.
- If time allows, move essential items to upper floors.
- If instructed, turn off main valves and switches. Avoid electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
- If you must leave your home, do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Do not try to drive over a flooded road. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/national-weather-service-confirms-2-tornados-struck-chicago-area-saturday/2542060/

Two tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area Saturday during storms that pummeled the region, resulting in power outages and causing widespread flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

06/27/2021

Illinois unveils vaccine lottery drawing schedule

The first $1 million dollar winner in the Illinois vaccine lottery will be chosen on Thursday, July 8.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois-unveils-vaccine-lottery-drawing-schedule/article_dbaa5144-d459-11eb-8843-3303df15e79b.html

ILLINOIS (WAND) - Illinois has announced the drawing schedule for its COVID-19 vaccine lottery.

06/24/2021

Illinois Department of Transportation warns against fraudulent messages, phishing schemes

The Illinois Department of Transportation has received multiple reports over the last several weeks of fraudulent texts and emails being sent to residents. Remember, IDOT will never request your banking information or Social Security number through electronic messages.

https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/regional-news/illinois-department-of-transportation-warns-against-fraudulent-messages-phishing-schemes/

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Illinois Department of Transportation has received multiple reports over the last several weeks of fraudulent texts and emails sent on its behalf and is encourag…

06/17/2021

Illinois Museum to Show Emancipation Proclamation to Mark Juneteenth

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield will be displaying a rare signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation from June 15 to July 6 to commemorate Juneteenth.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-museum-to-show-emancipation-proclamation-to-mark-juneteenth/2527762/

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield will mark the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth, by displaying a rare signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation

06/16/2021

Thank you to all who responded to my survey asking what you think about an elected school board in Chicago. 61% of respondents voted in favor of this and 34% voted opposed to this.

06/15/2021

CPS Survey

I'm interested in your thoughts on an elected school board in Chicago. Let me know what you think at: https://www.ilhousegop.org/cps

Leader Jim Durkin

06/14/2021

Illinois launching online car insurance verification program

Starting July 1st, Illinois vehicle owners’ automobile insurance will be verified electronically through the Secretary of State's office at least twice a year at random intervals.

https://week.com/2021/06/08/illinois-launching-online-car-insurance-verification-program/

Starting July 1, 2021, the state will be verifying your car is insured electronically.

06/13/2021

A builder and a booster

Like several before him, Ogden could see the potential in the town by the lake. Someone just had to step up, lead and make sure things were done the right way. William Butler Ogden believed he was just the man for the job.

https://www.thecaucusblog.com/2021/06/a-builder-and-booster.html

William Butler Ogden seated center in a group portrait. Like many states west of the Appalachians in the early 19th century, most of Illino...

05/30/2021

Illinois residents targeted by scam text messages

The Secretary of State's Office is warning residents to be on alert for multiple texting and emailing scams claiming to be from the agency seeking personal information to defraud Illinoisans. Remember, the Secretary of State’s Office will never request your Social Security Number or other personal information via email or text.

https://www.mystateline.com/news/illinois-residents-targeted-by-scam-text-messages/

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Secretary of State is issuing a warning after residents reported receiving scam text messages from the DMV. Criminals are looking to get their hands on…

05/29/2021

Vaccine Clinics To Open At Illinois Travel Hubs For Memorial Day

With the help of Amtrak, Walmart, TravelCenters of America, Wally's, and HyVee, the state will host vaccination clinics at Union Station and at travel centers in Mt. Vernon, Troy, Effingham, Bloomington, and Pontiac this Memorial Day weekend.

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/vaccine-clinics-open-illinois-travel-hubs-memorial-day

Those traveling during Memorial Day Weekend will have the option to receive a J&J vaccine at Union Station and other pit stops.

05/28/2021

Illinois Democrats Tweak Legislative Boundaries In New Release Of Political Maps

We join the countless advocates who testified in four public hearings over the last two days who urged the Majority Party to wait for the official Census data coming in just two months before making final decisions on this very important process in our democracy.

https://www.wbez.org/stories/illinois-democrats-tweak-legislative-boundaries-in-new-release-of-political-maps/e5ae1023-6eae-4ca0-bac9-c2b1360f83d7

Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish and North Lawndale neighborhoods see changes that Democrats say were motivated by community input; GOP calls move “dishonest.“

05/28/2021

Michael W. Frerichs - Illinois State Treasurer: Cream of the Crop Photo Contest

20th DISTRICT STUDENTS: Treasurer Frerichs announced the 2021 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. If you are ages 8-18 and traveling around the beautiful rural areas of Illinois, you can submit a photo highlighting Illinois agriculture. Learn more at www.creamofthecropcontest.com. Best of luck! 🌽📸

2018 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest for Students 8-18