State Senator Wilcox Untapped at Cary Ale House

State Senator Craig Wilcox (R) of Illinois District 32 recently chatted with constituents in a “Conversations Untapped” Q&A session in the cozy backroom of downtown’s Cary Ale House.

The topics batted around at the June 25 event ranged from local and budgetary to national and ideological and let the interested residents get to know Senator Wilcox who has been serving our district down in Springfield since 2018.

Inflation Worries Dominate

Wilcox’s statements were varied as well, but many of them had a similar bent. Too many

standards, limits and dollar amounts set by Springfield have failed to keep up with inflation.

One resident brought up the so-called ‘Senior Freeze’ as an example. The policy exempts home owning seniors from property tax. It is capped at $65K a year in income for single family home owning owners.

On a related topic, Wilcox will be holding a “Property Tax Seminar” at McHenry City Hall on August 13, 6 pm.

Maplewood Development Deal Woes

The recently approved Maplewood development seemed to be on more than a few minds. One attendee who claimed to be from one of the surrounding neighborhoods said “We don't want it” and wondered why the long unused land couldn’t be used as a park or a couple more ballfields?

Another resident brought up the impact on the sewer system, citing Bull Valley.

What Shape is the District Now?!

Many bemoaned our recent gerrymandering. Wilcox agreed, saying, “It’s supposed to be as compact and contiguous as possible”

One attendee asked “Without using your hands, can you show us the current shape of our district?!” He sounded half joking but half serious. Wilcox actually obliged, doing his best. He described it verbally and with specific town names, including mildly concerning oddities like “It splits in the middle of the river”

Da Moving Bears!

“I made a promise that I wouldn't talk about the Bears, so I won’t” And still, talk was talked. The inevitability of Arlington Park was widely agreed on “They own the land, so...” Another voice brought up another option in the Marengo Rest Area exchange.

“I talk about this all the time,” Wilcox mused before telling us that he would like to see more analysis of the impacts, successes and failures of every omnibus bill after it's passed. The senator serves on the Legislative Audit Commission and the Appropriations Committee in addition to several other assignments, many related to veterans’ affairs and issues.

Military Service leading to Public Service

Wilcox retired as an United States Air Force colonel in 2013 after serving for 24 years. He

earned two Bronze Stars. According to leaflets handed out at Untapped he was Commander of the 89th Airlift Support Group at Joint Base Andrews.

“My unit provided global command and control communications and aerial port services to the President of the United States and Air Force One”

Prior to his current senatorial service he was on the McHenry Country Board District 4 from 2016 to 2018.

When You Can Meet Him Next

Senator Wilcox has several events scheduled to foster more open dialogue with residents and inform his work in our state capital including “Barks & Brews” on August 6, 5:30-7:00 pm at Woodstock’s Kishwaukee Brewing Company. His local office is at 209 N. Benton St in Woodstock.