August 31, 2009
The Governor has been busy signing legislation passed this spring and writing explanations about others he has vetoed. In one case he vetoed a bill which he helped to pass in the legislature. In response to public outcries, the Governor vetoed the Campaign Reform legislation which contained too few improvements. Now the legislature can take up more extensive reforms perhaps as early as October.
Quinn also vetoed part of SB1595 which makes it easier to keep video gaming out of municipalities. He proposes that only 11 percent of the voters who voted in the previous election need to sign a petition to ban video gaming instead of 25 percent as contained in the bill.
Not surprisingly, the Governor also vetoed HB237 which would have increased the interest penalty the state has to pay for delaying payment of invoices. The legislation would have doubled the interest rate to two percent. Currently the state is about $3.9 billion behind in paying its bills. I strongly believe the state should pay its bills on time, like everyone else.
Legislation Addresses Domestic Violence
Several pieces of legislation have become law that broadens the definition of stalking and strangulation. HB2542, which I cosponsored, makes it easier for law enforcement officers to charge someone with stalking a victim. I also supported HB693 which expands what constitutes strangulation and allows an aggressor to be charged for such acts.
Both of these bills and several others were introduced and passed in efforts to reduce domestic violence and acts of aggression involved in domestic quarrels.
I recently attended the Family Violence Prevention Council in LaSalle County and was impressed in hearing not only the type of cases our court system handles but also the efforts to deter violent behavior. We are fortunate to have very talented and dedicated staff and volunteers on such councils and at shelters.
State Prepares to Fight Influenza
You will be hearing more information about the H1N1 influenza this fall as the Department of Public Health, State Board of Education, and Board of Higher Education implement their plans to contain and control this aggressive flu. It seems to affect younger people more than other flu strains.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises citizens to follow the 3-C’s: clean, cover and contain. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs. Cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue or arm, not your hand. Stay home if you feel sick, don’t infect others. You can also stay informed about the flu at www.flu.gov or www.ready.illinois.gov.
Lost Revenue Will Effect Next Budget
Many groups are lobbying the legislature for increased funding to restore cuts to their programs in the current state budget. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA) has issued a report that such increases are unlikely without a tax increase.
In a response to House Republican Leader Tom Cross, CGFA says the state budget has relied on about $9 billion in federal funding over the past two years. That funding is not anticipated to continue in 2011 leaving a huge revenue shortfall at a time when many groups want more money.
CGFA also reported that of the $9 billion, $2.9 billion will go to pay for late Medicaid reimbursements, $2.1 billion is for education, $2 billion will go to infrastructure improvements, more than $100 million will go to job training, and $276 million will go to home weatherization.
Illinois Test Scores Questioned
The Illinois State Board of Education has reported results from two national tests that show conflicting results about student achievement. The results released last week were from the ACT, a test given to 144,000 Illinois juniors in high school, and the SAT, the most widely used college entrance exam given to about 8,800 Illinois students.
The SAT results show our best students score considerably better than the national average in math, reading and writing. The ACT results show slight gains in each of the past three years but still well below national averages.
On the surface this appears to be good news about student achievement and a result of “No Child Left Behind.” Many teachers tell me, however, that they are just forced to prepare students for the test rather than what they really need to know for work or college.
Area school superintendents told me at a meeting last week that they support a “growth model” of teaching where the focus is on each student’s progress from year to year. Part of the current state discussion about school reform is focused on the issue of learning standards, meaningful testing and teacher follow-up of the test results.
Quinn Announces Mortgage Relief Project
In an effort to stem the high number of home foreclosures, Governor Quinn has been touring the state this summer to help struggling Illinois families and explain a new state law.
The Mortgage Relief Project is a direct result of the Homeowner Protection Act signed earlier this year by the Governor. The new law provides a grace period of up to 90 days on mortgage foreclosures for homeowners that enter housing counseling.
It requires that all lenders and loan services notify homeowners who are at least 30 days late on their mortgage payments that they have 30 days to seek housing counseling to get their loan back on track. If a homeowner enters housing counseling, he or she gets an additional 30-day grace period on foreclosure in order to work out a payment plan or refinance option.
In addition to housing counseling, the free Mortgage Relief Project workshop offers homeowners’ helpful advice to prevent foreclosure, understand their legal rights and recognize the tell-tale signs of mortgage fraud. The next outreach event will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 10th at McHenry County College at 8900 U.S. Route 14 (Building B) in Crystal Lake, Ill. It’s the fourth stop of a state-wide trek.
For more information on Mortgage Relief Project outreach events or for assistance, please call 1-800-532-8785.
Keep Children Reading
I would like to extend special congratulations to all young students who continued their reading over the summer and came to my Reading Club parties last month. I was impressed by the number of books they read and their knowledge.
With so many alternate forms of entertainment available today, it was encouraging to see such great participation. As studies continue to show, children who read and are read to have greater brain development and success in school. It is important that all of us continue to emphasize this great pastime anyway we can.
I am excited that the Prairie Area Library System is conducting a special presentation on connecting boys with reading. The program for school and public libraries will be held in the Mendota Civic Center on October 9. The featured speaker is Michael Sullivan, well-known author and librarian, who will share practical and off-beat suggestions to turn boys into lifelong readers.
Contact Jane at 815-873-1282 for registration details.
Caution Urged as Census Begins
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.
The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
To avoid con artists, the BBB advises to ask the worker for their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
Census workers are currently only verifying address information. Later the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range; it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that is supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Remember to fly the American flag on September 11. Our flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.
Bob
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