State Senator Neil Anderson releases the below statement regarding Governor J.B. Pritzker’s decision to sign Senate Bill 337 into law. SB 337 is a controversial gun dealer licensing bill that was passed during the 100th General Assembly, but held for seven months by the sponsor under a procedural motion.

State Senator Neil Anderson was appointed to the Senate Republican Leadership team Tuesday, Jan. 15. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) appointed Sen. Anderson to serve as Assistant Republican Leader.

State Sen. Neil Anderson joins the Capitol Report podcast this week to discuss the inauguration of the 101st General Assembly and his hopes for the upcoming session.

State Sen. Neil Anderson was sworn into office Jan. 9 at the Statehouse during the Illinois Senate Inauguration.

As citizens throughout Illinois toast the New Year, 253 new laws will take effect. From controversial gun-control laws to fighting human trafficking and celebrating our state’s rich history, these new laws cover a wide range of topics.

I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the good things we accomplished this year. Before I do that, I want to thank everyone who offered me their opinion on legislation, offered a suggestion on new legislation, or provided me valuable information on issues both in Springfield and in the district. So, I can’t stress this enough that the following accomplishments are because of all of us – working together.

Dec. 7 in Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The Governor has ordered United States and Illinois flags to fly at half-staff until Dec. 30, to honor former President, George H.W. Bush, who died on Nov. 30.

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union.

Illinois now has several new laws following the conclusion of the Fall Veto Session, where the General Assembly overrode measures vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. Other measures fell short of the 3/5 majority needed in both the Senate and House of Representatives to override the Governor’s vetoes.

To ensure safe shopping this holiday season, the Illinois Attorney General has released its annual Safe Shopping Guide, which highlights hazardous toys, children’s products and household items that have been recalled over the past year. The guide includes descriptions and photographs of each item.

Lawmakers return to Springfield Nov. 27 for the final week of the Fall Veto Session to take further action on a number of pieces of legislation that were either vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner or amenditorily vetoed by him.

The 2018 Holiday Shopping Survey recently released by Wallet Hub shows 35 percent of Americans plan on spending more than $500 this holiday season, compared to 33 percent in 2017. Meanwhile, 15 percent say they will spend more than $1,001 and 19 percent say they will spend less than $100.

Hitting the road, the railway, or the airport this Thanksgiving week? Expect more vehicles and longer lines, according to AAA.

Senate Republican caucus members voted this week to retain State Senator Bill Brady as Senate Republican Leader.

Deer hunters are reminded to focus on safety as the 2018 Illinois Firearm Deer Season opens this week. The seven-day firearm season begins this Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18. A second round of firearm deer hunting will be held from Nov. 29-Dec. 2.

Unemployment insurance rates will be lower in 2019 for more than 92 percent of the state’s employers required to register and pay state Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). IDES said Illinois business owners are on target to pay $240 million less in UI taxes in 2019 compared to 2018. UI taxes paid by Illinois businesses this year topped $1.9 billion. Employers are expected to pay $1.66 billion in 2019.

First Lady Diana Rauner is leading an effort to provide holiday cheer for Illinois members of the military.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) introduced a new and improved Illinois Report Card.

Dozens of bills will be up for debate and discussion when the scheduled fall “veto session” begins Nov. 13. Members of the General Assembly will return to Springfield to either accept or override measures vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier this year.

Dozens of high school students from across the 36th Senate District participated in a unique, hands-on experience in public policy, state government, and leadership Oct. 29 in Moline, as part of State Sen. Neil Anderson’s Youth Advisory Council.

The Illinois Department on Aging’s (IDoA) Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is reminding seniors of the free counseling assistance available to Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers during Medicare Open Enrollment occurring October 15th through December 7th.

First responders from across Sen. Neil Anderson's Senate District were honored and thanked for acts of bravery during his First Responders Appreciation Breakfast and Ceremony at the Candlelight Inn in Sterling and Theo's Java Club in Rock Island on Oct. 26.

State Sen. Neil Anderson is inviting constituents to come to his First Responders Appreciation Breakfast and Ceremony in Sterling and Rock Island on Friday, Oct. 26.

Recently, more than $14 million in capital improvement project funds were released by the Governor’s Office for the Department of Natural Resources’ state parks and recreation areas across the state.