State Representative David Friess

06/12/2026

In an effort to protect children from the harmful effects of unfiltered, unchecked addictive social media, the House and the Senate passed a bipartisan piece of legislation designed to protect children online and limit their access to addictive social media features.

HB5511 will require social media companies to verify a child’s age through the device’s operating system and to implement stricter features for minors, such as limiting location sharing and nighttime notifications.

I was proud to cast a “YES” vote on this bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at protecting our youth.

06/11/2026

I'm pleased to share that more grant dollars are returning to the 115th! Eight local fire departments, ambulance services, and fire protection districts have been awarded more than $164,000 in grants through the Illinois State Fire Marshal's (OSFM) Small Equipment Grant Program.

Departments accepting grant money from OSFM in the 115th District include:

Gorham Fire Department- $17,669
Monroe County Ambulance Service- $18,000
Maesytown Fire Department- $8,030
Valmeyer Fire Department- $25,000
Steeleville Fire Department- $18,919
Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department- $24,800
New Athens Fire Protection District- $25,913
Washington County Ambulance- $26,000

Providing this funding to our local departments will help ensure they have the equipment and resources necessary to continue serving our communities safely and effectively.

06/10/2026

The hypocrisy never ends with the Dems...

If you haven’t seen the news recently, the Tower of Mordor, also known as the Obama Presidential Library, is finished and will open for visitors on June 19.

The good news is that Illinois residents will receive a discount on ticket prices, and, given the ever-increasing tax burden we are forced to pay under the Pritzker Administration, we should.

Now, the problem with receiving this discount on tickets to the Obama Presidential Library is that it requires a photo ID. According to Democrats, this requirement is going to disenfranchise thousands, if not millions, of Illinois residents.

If you casually pay attention to politics, you know that Republicans nationwide have long advocated for voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements. However, time and time again, we have been told that not everybody has an ID and that it is too difficult to obtain one if it is required to vote.

Yet now a photo ID is required to save a few dollars on the ticket's purchase price. If a photo ID is required to receive a discount at the Obama Presidential Library, don’t you think a photo ID should be required to vote in this country?

Once again, Illinois Democrats appear eager to apply one standard in one situation and a completely different standard in another. The irony is hard to miss.

06/10/2026

ILLINOIS – State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Lake Barrington) made appearances in the Chicago Media Market to discuss his new proposal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

06/09/2026

I'm happy to share that both the Maeystown and Valmeyer Fire Departments are receiving more than $9,000 in funding through the Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Program administered by IDNR.

These grant dollars are intended to help our local fire departments purchase new equipment and fund firefighter training, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to protect our communities.

Congratulations to both departments on receiving this funding!

06/08/2026

Had a great turnout at our shred and recycling event in Pinckneyville this past Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came out, participated, and helped make the event a success.

06/05/2026

Today’s announcement from the Chicago Bears is disappointing news for Illinois...

The Chicago Bears’ official public push for a new stadium began in June 2021, when the team submitted a formal bid to purchase the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse property in suburban Arlington Heights. Since then, elected officials, including the governor, have been on notice that the Bears may leave Chicago.

Unfortunately, the governor and the General Assembly could not come up with a package to keep the Bears in Chicago and in the State of Illinois. Today’s announcement is the clearest indication yet that the franchise is moving forward with plans outside our state.

I remain hopeful that the Bears can still be kept in Illinois, but today’s news is certainly not encouraging.

The Chicago Bears’ official public push for a new stadium began in June 2021, when the team submitted a formal bid to purchase the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse property in suburban Arlington Heights. Since then, elected officials, including the governor, have been on notice that the...

06/04/2026

House Democrats declared victory on “affordability” after passing $800 million in new tax hikes in the dead of night. For Illinois families already crushed by some of the highest taxes in the nation, Democrats’ version of affordability means higher taxes, more spending, and bigger government.

www.thecaucusblog.com/2026/06/on-affordability-democrats-say-one.html

06/03/2026

Just a reminder that my office is hosting a Shred/Recycling Event in Pinckneyville this Saturday. Hope to see everyone there!

06/01/2026

Once again, in the dead of night, Illinois Democrats rammed through a record-breaking $56 billion budget, the largest spending plan in state history. To support this spending, Democrats included approximately $800 million in new taxes and fees.

The new taxes include, but are not limited to, a social media tax, a cryptocurrency exchange tax, and a digital ad tax. They also directed at least $220 million toward pork projects benefiting Democrat districts while providing more than $400 million for programs serving ILLEGAL immigrants.

Meanwhile, the budget includes no meaningful property tax relief for Illinois homeowners, and local governments will see their LGDF funding frozen. Families struggling with inflation, rising utility bills, and some of the highest property taxes in the nation were once again pushed to the back of the line.

I cast a strong 'NO' vote. We need a government that lives within its means, prioritizes taxpayers, provides real tax relief, and conducts the people's business in the light of day, not through backroom deals and 4:00 a.m. votes.