Will County Gazette

Jen Monson, a candidate for Illinois State Senate District 43, expressed her concerns over the expansion of emergency powers for Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office. She urged, "Everyone needs to look at the big picture with this and what this means for our freedoms in Illinois." Monson, set to challenge incumbent Democrat Rachel Ventura in the general election, further advised people to "contact your legislators to voice your opposition."

"Absolutely Not," said jennifer Monson for IL Senate, according to Facebook. "Pritzker continues to amass more power and control for his office. Everyone needs to look at the big picture with this and what this means for our freedoms in Illinois. Contact your legislators to voice your opposition."

According to a Facebook post by Monson, she shared an article from The Center Square detailing that Senate Bill 3434 is currently under consideration in the Illinois House of Representatives. The publication outlined that the bill would empower the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to perform "’all things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation’ of the Illinois Emergency Management Act.’" It also drew attention to migrant disaster declarations initiated in August 2022 following years of COVID-19 disaster declarations commencing in March 2020. Critics of the bill argue that it lacks sufficient oversight and question why one department requires such extensive power.

Screenshot Jen Monson's April 18 Facebook post | JenMonson4ILSenate43 Facebook page

Sen. Patrick J. Joyce initially filed the bill in the Senate on Feb. 2, 2024. It underwent several assignments and was amended to alter rules that IEMA can adopt. The amendment "[provides] that the Agency shall do all things necessary, incidental, or appropriate for the implementation of the Act, including the adoption of rules (rather than only adopt rules for the implementation of its State-funded grant programs)." On March 20, Sen. Celina Villanueva replaced Joyce as chief sponsor and moved it to the house on April 11.

Monson is representing Republicans as their nominee for Illinois State Senate District 43 after running unopposed in the primary election. Her campaign website reveals her profession as an educator and school board member with a commitment to "work to maintain citizen rights and their ability to exercise their God-given rights to exist and live freely without unconstitutional government overreach."