When you wear a badge, you learn quickly that the job takes more than it gives. You see the toll it takes, not just in the moments of danger but in the years that follow. I’ve stood alongside firefighters at scenes where the air was thick with smoke and the hours felt endless. I’ve seen the exhaustion in their eyes, the quiet resolve, and the unspoken knowledge that this work changes a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why I was proud to help sponsor Senate Bill 1446, now signed into law. This bipartisan measure will require Illinois to start tracking the manner of death for all firefighters, including those lost to suicide and cancer. It’s a commitment to see the full picture of what our firefighters face, long after the sirens stop.
The reality is that firefighters aren’t only at risk in burning buildings. Many are fighting invisible battles against job-related illnesses, long-term health complications, and the mental health struggles that come from carrying the weight of so much trauma. Without accurate data, we can’t fully understand those risks, and without understanding, we can’t provide the right resources to save lives.
This law will give us the information we need to act, whether that’s pushing for better protective equipment, expanding cancer screenings, or strengthening mental health support. It’s a way to honor their service by doing everything in our power to keep them safe, not just in the moment, but for the years ahead.
For me, this is personal. It’s for every first responder I’ve worked beside, every firefighter’s family who has faced an unthinkable loss, and every future recruit who deserves to know we’re committed to having their back.
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lllinois residents are paying nearly 38% in taxes on their cell phone bills, the highest rate in the entire country. That’s not a typo. Between state, local, and federal taxes, Illinoisans are getting hit every time they pay for one of the most basic tools of modern life: a phone.
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The school year is almost here and not every family has what they need to get started. That’s why I’m holding a Back-to-School Supply Drive to help local students start strong.
If you’re able, drop off new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, or other school supplies at my district office in Homer Glen. Every donation goes directly to kids in our community who could use a hand.
15746 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM–4 PM
Questions? Call us at 708-694-2032
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There’s still time for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade to complete my Summer Reading Program, but the deadline is tomorrow!
The challenge: read 10 books over summer break (longer reads over 150 pages count as two), then submit your child’s Summer Reading Log by August 15th at repsheehan.com/summer-reading-program-for-kids.
Every child who completes the program will receive a Certificate of Achievement to celebrate their effort and love of learning.
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