To maintain our local and national competitive advantage, we must look for ways to generate economic development and invest in training and skills required to build a 21st Century workforce. Today, I visited two DuPage County organizations that are leading the way - WorkNet DuPage Career Center and Choose DuPage. Thank you to these two great teams for all they do to make DuPage an economic and workforce leader in the Midwest.

I joined hundreds of citizens in remembering the five lives lost in Friday’s senseless tragedy at Henry Pratt Company. We are with you, Aurora. God bless the innocent victims, their mourning families, the courageous first responders, and this resilient community. #aurorastrong

I joined Mayor Frank Trilla, Senator John Curran, Congressman Dan Lipinski, and members of the Stop Sterigenics group to announce tonight's welcomed news. The people of southeastern DuPage County can finally sleep tonight with peace of mind that their air is safe from EtO. However, our work is not yet done. The long-term health and safety of our community remains our top priority.

Tonight, after six months of efforts by concerned citizens across our community, we can finally say that Sterigenics is shut down. I applaud the actions of DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and the Illinois EPA who have issued an emergency order to halt Sterigenics' operations and thus cease the emissions of EtO into our air. I have always believed that public health and safety must be government's top priority. Tonight, DuPage and state officials proved they share that belief.

I view Valentine's Day as an opportunity to show all individuals in our lives that we care about them - whether they be friends, neighbors, or family members. This morning, I visited residents and staff at the DuPage Care Center-DPCC to deliver Valentine's Day balloons and convey how much the DuPage County Board appreciates them. Later today, I will spend time with my two Forever Valentines whom I love very much - my wife Alex and daughter Madeleine. Happy "Hart" Day everyone!