Rep. Tipsword’s E-Newsletter: Professional Licensing, Veto Session, and More

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

Thank you to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for their work on this bipartisan effort to get more of our internationally trained physician colleagues back to work and taking care of patients in Illinois. Illinois IDFPR announces new licensing process for internationally trained physicians | MyWabashValley.com

VETO SESSION

Illinoisans can make their voices heard when the General Assembly returns to Springfield for the annual Fall Veto Session, which starts October 14. Learn how you can communicate with legislators and express your opinion on legislation using witness slips in the latest edition of The Caucus Blog. The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans: How Citizens Can Engage with the Illinois Legislature

PROPERTY TAXES

Burdensome regulations and excessive property tax rates make it difficult to grow our state. We need to make owning a home more affordable and accessible so working families can thrive here at home. Illinois housing stock remains woefully low, prices climbing

FAIR MAPS

Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have disenfranchised voters across the state with rigged electoral maps. Illinois voters deserve fair maps that promote accountability, not one-party control.

Read more from the Tribune Editorial Board: Editorial: With mostly powerless voters, Illinois democracy hangs by an elongated thread

TAX AMNESTY PERIOD

The window to pay past-due State taxes opened October 1 and closes on Monday, November 17. During this six-week period, Illinois taxpayers will have the opportunity to pay past-due taxes without penalties or interest. The payments of taxes due must be made in full during this time period.

This tax amnesty has been declared as a result of legislation adopted by the Illinois General Assembly in May 2025. Learn more here: Illinois Department of Revenue Announces 2025 Tax Amnesty Program

FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANTS

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. OSFM will award $6 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

All interested departments should send an application to OSFM no later than November 14, 2025. Apply here: AmpliFund - State Fire Marshal - FY26 Small Equipment Grant

LIHEAP PROGRAM

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is encouraging eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs for natural gas, propane, and electricity.

Applications opened October 1 and will remain open through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Learn more here: Governor Pritzker Encourages Eligible Families to Apply for LIHEAP Utility Bill Assistance