State Rep. Dave Vella to deliver State of the State Wednesday

Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — State Rep. Dave Vella will give his review of the state of Illinois on Wednesday during the Parks Chamber of Commerce’s ongoing legislative series.

Vella, a Democrat who was elected to represent the state’s 68th House District in 2020, is the third of five state lawmakers delivering “state of the state” speeches in the series. State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, a Rockford Republican, spoke last month, and state Rep. Maurice West, a Rockford Democrat, was the featured speaker in April.

“The Parks Chamber Legislative Event Series provides opportunities for government leaders to share official ‘State of’ addresses that highlight current initiatives and successes,” Parks Chamber Executive Director Tonya Lamia said in a news release. “Our primary goal of the series is to connect the local business community with legislative and government leaders so we can hear from them directly.”

Vella worked for 25 years as a public defender and criminal defense lawyer at his family firm before he was elected to the state House. In Springfield, he has focused on initiatives meant to attract manufacturing jobs, such as a bill that offers incentives for electric vehicle production in Illinois.

Related: Sosnowski calls for ethics reform, lower property taxes in State of the State address

Each chamber event also features informational tables from federal, state and local organizations that offer free and confidential services to businesses and entrepreneurs.

Legislative series schedule

The Parks Chamber legislative event series takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month through October at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Road. 

Register to attend any of the events here.

Here’s the remaining slate of speakers: 

June 15: State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Loves Park

July 20: State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford

Aug. 17: State Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Loves Park

Sept. 21: State of the Schools with Harlem School District Superintendent Terrell Yarbrough

Oct. 19: State of the Parks with Machesney Park Village President Steve Johnson and Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury

Nov. 16: State of the Park District with Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine