Jobs, Small Business, and the Economy
So many of our neighbors feel left behind, like the economy isn’t working for them – and they’re right. That’s why I’ve centered my work in Congress around building an economy that helps Illinois working families.
Tackling Inflation and Lowering Costs - My top priority is addressing rising costs that are hurting Illinoisans from the grocery store to the gas pump. I’m also committed to bringing down out-of-control drug prices, especially for our seniors.
Jobs – Illinois 17th District has been a hub of manufacturing and innovation for generations, in addition to having a rich farming history. I will always work to create good-paying, sustainable jobs in our communities so we can provide for our kids and grandkids.
Small Business – We need to make it easier to start and own a small business. This means cutting red tape and making sure Illinoisians have access to the resources they need to succeed. I’ll make sure Congress keeps the needs of Main Street in mind, and not just the interests of the wealthiest corporations.
More on Jobs, Small Business, and the Economy
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is pushing for new federal funding to help communities like the Quad Cities prepare for growth, attract new businesses, and create jobs.
Sorensen is urging the House Appropriations Committee to fund the Critical Supply Chain Site Development Program at the Economic Development Administration with $50 million. This program would help communities prepare land for new factories and major industrial projects—making it easier to attract businesses, create jobs, and strengthen America’s supply chains.
MOLINE, IL - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced $4.3 million in federal funding awarded to SAL Family and Community Services to support early childhood education and care for families in the Quad Cities region. The funding, awarded through the Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will help expand access to high-quality infant and toddler care for families in Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry counties.
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s tariff scheme is illegal without Congressional authorization.
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is joining bipartisan legislation to raise pay for federal correctional officers and improve safety inside federal prisons, including facilities serving Illinois. The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 would provide a 35 percent base pay increase for eligible Bureau of Prisons employees, helping address chronic staffing shortages, excessive mandatory overtime, and high turnover rates.
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is proud to announce that two community projects in Illinois’ 17th District are included in the FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The legislation includes $500,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Sorensen to support public safety and infrastructure improvements in Rockford and Peoria.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced today that he has secured more than $33 million in federal Community Project Funding for communities across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, with over $25 million invested directly in the Quad Cities region to strengthen critical water, sewer, and river infrastructure.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter pushing the four Senate and House leaders of the Armed Services Committee to include provisions that support the Rock Island Arsenal in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It comes as the four leaders of the Armed Services Committees are currently engaged in negotiations over the final text of the legislation.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is leading members of the Illinois delegation in a letter calling on President Donald Trump to take immediate action to end the trade war with China that is crushing the Illinois and American farm economy.
With President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China scheduled to discuss U.S. soybean and agricultural exports in their trade talks this week, it is critical that the two leaders reach an agreement before it’s too late for American farmers who will go bankrupt without a deal.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is demanding U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins use available federal funding to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of Americans in a letter with House Democrats.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today condemned the Trump Administration and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought for canceling $8 billion worth of Department of Energy (DOE) projects across the country, including more than $54 million in projects in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District.
These projects, already approved and funded by Congress, were designed to lower energy costs, create jobs, and boost American innovation. Despite DOE remaining open and fully funded, the Administration chose to terminate them anyway.