HARRISBURG, IL – Two weeks after the scheduled adjournment of the regular spring session, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said that lawmakers are preparing to return to the State Capitol on June 21.

Lawmakers are cautiously optimistic that a Fiscal Year 2017 budget deal will be able to be worked out with a 10-day special session on the horizon. Senator Fowler is prepared to stay in Springfield until the matter is resolved.

Fear and uncertainty have ground school districts, human service providers, and the average citizens to a halt when thinking about entering a third consecutive year without a budget. Any legislative measures that seek a solution to the budget impasse will now require a supermajority vote in both legislative chambers, due to the majority leader’s failure in adjourning without a budget being passed or any meaningful reforms.

Rend Lake Announcement

As part of Senator Fowler’s ongoing economic development efforts, he was joined by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other Southern Illinois legislators for a June 14 announcement about the future of the now-shuttered Rend Lake Resort at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. The facility was closed down in Dec. 2016 after serious concerns about mold and a backlog of local taxes and rent payments to the DNR. A request for proposal was put out by the Department seeking a new connoisseur to run the facility which features a grand lodge/hotel, several botels, and a series of cabins.

The RFP application can be found by visiting www.purchase.state.il.us and clicking on the “IllinoisBID” link to find the Rend Lake RFP.

Marion Senior Fair Reminder

Williamson County area senior citizens are invited to a 6/27 FREE senior health fair to be held at the Marion HUB Rec Center located at 917 W. Main. Nearly 30 vendors will be in attendance and several are offering various screenings including: mental health, blood pressure, oral exams, grip strength testing and some limited immunizations. The event will run from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. For more information visit www.senatorfowler.com