Inside:
- SUDEP bill signed into law
- Great crowd at the Veterans and Senior Fair
- New YMCA opens in Knox County
- Recognizing a local hero
SUDEP bill signed
The Governor has signed legislation I sponsored which would help Illinois patients learn more about the dangers of Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
Senate Bill 2782 directs medical professionals around the state to present at-risk patients with information about the dangers of SUDEP.
The new law will be known as Kassie’s Law in honor of a young girl from western Illinois who had epilepsy and who lost her life during an epileptic episode. The law will lead to better education for health care professionals and those patients who are considered to be at high risk of SUDEP, which can cause death through a heart arrythmia. The Department of Public Health will provide resources to be made available to patients so that they might be better informed about the risks and how to prevent a tragedy.
The legislation was carried in the Senate by Senator Neil Anderson. It passed both houses unanimously.
Great crowd at the Veterans and Senior Fair
On Wednesday, July 29th Heritage Woods of Moline and I hosted a Veteran and Senior Fair at The Rock in Coal Valley. We hosted 56 exhibitors and over 250 visitors learning about benefits and opportunities available for Veterans and Seniors. Just minutes before the doors opened, I shared with the exhibitors my two measurements of success:
1) When you get a chance, please walk around and talk to other exhibitors to learn what they have to offer. We may find a gap in services that we can maybe fix.
2) A visitor walking out with a bag full of information and knowledge means success.
Thank you to everyone who participated and those who attended, as well as The Rock for opening your doors for us. A special shoutout to Brandi Madunić and Shanie Sanders Brown for their work in organizing the successful event.
New YMCA opens in Knox County
Last week I attended the grand opening ribbon cutting at the new Knox County YMCA.
The new indoor playground, youth center and outdoor wellness area provide great additions to all the other activities and equipment available for all ages. It is a great place for children to play and connect, grow, learn and thrive.
Great job to everyone who was involved with this vision turned to reality!
Recognizing a local hero
Back in December 2025, I met Byron Baird, a local hero. Byron was a local farmer who enlisted in the Army to save fellow soldiers. Not in the infantry, medic, mechanic or any of the other Army jobs. He wanted to be an ordnance bomb disposal soldier.
He saw this opportunity as a way of saving lives. And he did save lives many times, almost costing him his own life when in two instances the vehicle he was operating was struck by an improvised explosive device, better known as an IED. He was banged up pretty severely in his first encounter, but defying medical advice and care, he went back to his unit.
When other soldiers were receiving their purple heart for injuries incurred during battle, he was unable to attend the formation and was then overlooked. It wasn’t until Bud Westbay heard Byron’s story after 15 years that Byron received his deserved recognition.
At a recent meeting of the Galesburg Sunrise Rotary club, I was once again honored to talk with Byron and introduced him to speak to the group gathered. Both his parents, Doug and Nancy, members of the club, heard him again tell his story.
Click here to listen to more of Byron’s story.
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