State Representative Dan Swanson was sworn in to his second term in the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday during the inauguration of the 101st General Assembly held at the University of Illinois-Springfield’s Sangamon Auditorium.

“I know why my constituents sent me here and I don’t intend to let them down,” said Rep. Dan Swanson. “I learned a lot about the job in my first term, as well as demonstrating an aptitude for passing tough legislation that benefits constituents in my district. I look forward to building on that success during the new General Assembly.

Rep. Swanson is a retired Lieutenant Colonel serving in both the Illinois Army National Guard and United States Army. Swanson is a graduate of AlWood Community Schools, Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University. He is actively engaged with the 5th generation Swanson family farm near Andover. Rep. Swanson is married to the former Tammy Snider of Kewanee. They have two adult children, and reside near Alpha.

When Swanson was first sworn-in to office, replacing Rep. Don Moffitt two years ago, he voluntarily rejected both a legislative pension and healthcare benefits from the State of Illinois for his service in the Illinois General Assembly- which he rejected for the new term as well.

Field Museum

If you and your family are interested in visiting some of Chicago’s world-class museums, Rep. Swanson's office has a museum pass you can borrow, which is provided by the Museums in the Park Organization. Any resident of the 74th District can borrow our Constituent Education Resource Card, to visit any of the following museums in the city of Chicago for 2019:

• Adler Planetarium
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Chicago History Museum
• Dusable Museum of African American History
• The Field Museum
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Science and Industry
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• John G. Shedd Aquarium

Please contact Rep. Swanson's office at 309-334-7474 and provide your name and address along with the dates you are requesting (can be used for up to 3 days) and we will provide you with the Constituent Education Resource Card for your use.

The United States Postal Service will suspend mail service to
honor late President George HW Bush on December 5th. 

State Representative Dan Swanson hosted Galesburg resident Caden Wilson as an Honorary Page in the Illinois House during the Fall Veto Session on Wednesday, November 28 and Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Caden, the son of Major Scott & Heather Wilson, is a Junior at Galesburg High School where he is Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team, on Track, a peer tutor, in Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and a German Exchange Program participant. Additionally, Caden is on his church worship team, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, a Junior High Ministry Leader, and is active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been recognized as 2016 Varsity Soccer MVP, 2017 Soccer Team Captain, honored as part of the 2017 All-District Orchestra (IMEA), on the German Honor Society and has received Academic Excellence Awards.

“Caden paged for me last year during Veto Session and was recently accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, pending Congressional nomination,” said Rep. Swanson. “Caden is an exceptional young man I am again honored to host as an Honorary Page in the Illinois House”

State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) lead an effort during the House’s Fall Veto Session to override Governor Rauner’s Amendatory Veto of HB 4515- the “Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law”.

“I disagree with the Governor’s Amendatory Veto (AV) on this legislation and today move to override that veto,” said Rep. Swanson before a unanimous 110-0 vote to override Rauner’s AV.

Rep. Swanson had previously passed the bill through the Illinois House in April to allow physicians to prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease without the fear of disciplinary action.  Governor Rauner issued an Amendatory Veto on the bill in August 2018, despite overwhelming support in the Illinois House when the bill passed in April.

The legislation was inspired by Lauryn Russell, a 12-year-old student from Mercer County, who has Lyme Disease and has had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician for treating Lauryn’s post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease.  Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with advanced or persistent levels of the disease. 

“After local families reported these problems to me with treatment of Lyme Disease, I felt compelled to act on behalf of my constituents,” said Rep. Swanson.  “The Russell’s family story is just one of many by those effected by Persistent Lyme Disease.”