DeKalb Times

In a Jan. 11 Facebook post, outgoing State Rep. Brian W. Stewart (R-Freeport) shared a message with his constituents.

“After a decade of service as an Illinois state lawmaker, it is my sincere hope that my personal story shows that anyone can achieve the American Dream,” he wrote on Facebook. “Most importantly, I hope people will realize that humble beginnings do not preclude success, and with hard work, dedication, and integrity, they can create their own version of the American Dream here in Illinois.”

Stewart didn’t run for reelection in the 2022 election.

Stewart shared a link to a longer message on his official website. It read, in part: "I have represented the residents of northwestern Illinois in the Senate since December 2018, and in the House of Representatives from October 2013 to December 2018. My priorities have always been those of the northwestern Illinois residents I represented — agriculture, business development with job creation, education, public safety, law enforcement and veteran issues.  My goal as a lawmaker has been to make the State of Illinois a better place to live, bringing state government from the marble halls of the Capitol back home to the communities of northwestern Illinois. One of my primary focuses has been putting Illinois in a regulatory and fiscal position to create quality jobs for working families, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, help reinvigorate Illinois’ ailing economy, and increase state revenue without raising taxes."

In the days leading up to his final day in the Senate, Stewart released statements about House Bill 4664, which expanded abortion protections in the state. In that statement, Stewart said that he did not vote for the bill on Jan. 10. “Democrat legislative leaders have taken several steps in recent years to make sure abortion remains legal in the state. So much so that Illinois already has some of the most extreme laws in the nation – way beyond what mainstream Illinoisans agree with,” Stewart said.

He also spoke out on the bill that banned assault rifles and other firearms and related equipment. On Jan. 10, he said: “The more things change, the more they stay the same. Democratic leaders continue their ‘we know best’ approach to governing,” Senator Stewart said. “Tonight’s vote in the Senate will not address the rising crime that so many communities are facing. Instead, it will turn law-abiding citizens into criminals.”