Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson announced on May 22 that several legislative measures he sponsored have advanced in the General Assembly. Senate Bill 3818, which aims to support Illinois National Guard recruitment through the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP), passed both chambers and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. The program would provide grants to current Guard members who help facilitate enlistments, with eligibility and conditions set by the Department of Military Affairs.
Swanson said another bill he sponsored, Senate Bill 2782, has also cleared both houses. This measure requires healthcare providers treating patients with epilepsy at elevated risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) to give those patients written information about SUDEP. The Department of Public Health would make this information available online and allow relevant organizations to contribute educational materials.
Addressing gun rights issues, Swanson said he participated in a Capitol press conference opposing House Bill 4414—referred to as the “ammo tax”—which would require every round of handgun ammunition sold in Illinois to be serialized. He said: “If people are serious about going after gun crime, they should first stop prosecutors from dropping gun charges against criminals. And they should go after individuals who are selling illegal guns. This bill does neither. It will not make Illinois any safer, it will just cause more problems for gun owners who do not commit crimes and who seek to comply with the law.”
Swanson also highlighted a recent survey showing that Illinois residents pay the highest combined state and local tax rate nationwide. He noted that Governor Pritzker has proposed an additional $728 million in tax increases this year. According to WalletHub’s survey cited by Swanson, median households faced an effective state and local tax rate of nearly 17%, well above the national average of 11%.
In recognition of Memorial Day, Swanson joined Oxford American Legion Post 1197 volunteers placing flags at veterans’ graves across several cemeteries including Oxford, Alpha and Summit Level between Woodhull and Alpha—honoring Civil War heroes as well as World War I veteran Private First Class Rutledge from the historic Illinois National Guard unit that served on the Western Front.
Swanson was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 71st House District in 2023 according to Ballotpedia.
