State Representative Wayne Rosenthal

01/29/2025

The Illinois House of Representatives passed a controversial bill that transfers State land to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in DeKalb County. Senate Bill 867 authorizes the Director of Natural Resources to hand over a deed of Shabbona Lake and State Park to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) issued the following statement:

“I have concerns over this bill because Democrats voted to handover an Illinois State Park while at the same time not setting protections for landowners who currently reside on additional property that will be transferred,” said Rep. Rosenthal. “This was clearly a federal issue and I’m disappointed to see this bill pass through both houses without any regulations and without hearing directly from residents in DeKalb County.”

SB867 passed through the General Assembly on January 7, 2025. This legislation officially transfers ownership of Illinois’ Shabbona Lake and State Park to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Rosenthal continued, “The disregard to hear input from local residents is another example of how bad public policy is crafted by the majority party. I’m sure there will be legal disputes in the near future because this bill lacks language that pertains to what development is permitted on the land.”

01/28/2025

Applications for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant are due Jan. 31! These grants are available to Illinois Pre-K through 12 grade teachers, including home-schooling teachers, to support field trips to study natural resources and biodiversity across the state.

Learn more: https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/grants/grantsibftg.html

01/27/2025

Vietnam Peace Day is a time to reflect on the impacts of the Vietnam War. Today, let us all honor those who served, pay our respects to those who lost their lives, and remember the importance of lasting peace across the world.

01/26/2025

Happy National Spouses Day! Today is all about celebrating significant others and the joy they bring into our lives. Love you Marcia

01/25/2025

An osprey branded as a chick in Illinois was discovered nearly a year later in Colombia after an extraordinary 2,000-mile journey.

An osprey banded as a chick in Lemont, Illinois, was discovered injured nearly a year later in Colombia—the South American country, not the city in Missouri—after an extraordinary 2,000-mile journey.

01/24/2025

Did you know the new Director of the CIA is an Illinois native? John Ratcliffe was born in the Prairie State and is a Carbondale High School graduate. Congratulations on your confirmation, Director Ratcliffe!

John Ratcliffe's confirmation as Director of the CIA marks a significant step in advancing President Trump’s vision to restore America’s strength on the world stage. America is BACK.

01/23/2025

The soybean may soon become the official state bean of Illinois to highlight the crop's importance to the Land of Lincoln.

Move over, big metallic thing in Chicago's Millennium Park. There's a new bean in the spotlight.

01/22/2025

Tonight Riverton Fire Department along with the Dawson Fire Department will be conducting Ice rescue training at the veterans memorial pond at the corner of Lincoln and 3rd street in Riverton! This training exercise will start around 6pm lasting until around 10pm. This is only a training!

While we encourage people to spectate and watch how we conduct these rescues. We ask that you watch from a safe distance and allow our firefighters to train and to not be distracted as these are real life training scenarios with real life risks! Also please do not under any circumstances park and block in ANY emergency vehicle!

01/22/2025

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin today in the Madigan trial, which began with jury selection on Oct. 8, 2024. Hopefully we can tackle ethics reform in the 104th General Assembly.

(The Center Square) – Some Illinois lawmakers are expressing hope that the General Assembly will get serious about ethics reform in 2025.

01/21/2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 Conservation Achievement Scholarship program. These $2,000 scholarships are awarded to outstanding high school seniors in Illinois who demonstrate effective, voluntary, long-term dedication to the preservation, protection or enhancement of Illinois' natural resources.

Applications are due by March 1, 2025. Apply today at: https://ilconservation.org/What-We-Do/Scholarships

01/21/2025

Congratulations Donald J. Trump for being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States yesterday. His administration will make our state and nation stronger, more prosperous, and more united. 🇺🇸

01/20/2025

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. His vision for equality, justice, and peace changed our nation and our world. Today and every day, we must ensure his work lives on through our kindness and actions towards others.


Learn about the history of Martin Luther King Jr in Illinois:
https://reprosenthal.com/2025/01/20/the-history-and-legacy-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-in-illinois/

01/19/2025

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing

01/18/2025

I cosponsored HB1226 to reduce the costs for seniors to retain their driving privileges and to end the discriminatory practice of requiring behind-the-wheel tests for seniors based on age as the sole factor. Illinois is the only state that requires a driving test for seniors based on age. Currently, people 79 and above are required to take a road test to renew their license.

Proposed Illinois bill may raise mandatory driving test age for seniors to 87, addressing road safety and fairness.

01/17/2025

Happy Popeye the Sailor Man Day! Did you know that the creator of Popeye was an Illinoisan? Celebrate Popeye today by honoring his legacy of strength and determination!

01/16/2025

It is crucial that we keep the taxpayers top of mind when crafting the state budget this year. Illinoisans cannot afford to foot the bill for the majority party's out-of-control spending habits that are hurting families and businesses.

Illinois faces a $3.2 billion deficit as current-year revenues stay on track; lawmakers debate ways to balance the budget.

01/16/2025

Did you know Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the country? About 15% of all U.S. soybeans are produced right here in the Land of Lincoln.

On January 6, 2025, the Illinois Legislature passed HB 4439 which designates the soybean as Illinois’ official state bean.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on the biggest agricultural commodities in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

01/15/2025

Congratulations to my fellow veteran and Republican colleague State Representative Dan Swanson on being named chairperson of the House Veterans Affairs Committee!

State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) will be the chairperson of the Illinois House Veterans Affairs Committee in the 104th General Assembly.