SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Newtork. Please Click on the link about for the full story. Here is an excerpt.)
Senate overrides Gov. Rauner vetoes of $5 billion tax hike, budget; House up next
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Illinois Senate approves House’s $5 billion tax hike, $36.5 billion spending plan
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Former gubernatorial candidate and Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, discussing the bills on the senate floor. (Illinois News Network photo)
SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network. Please click on the link above for the full story, and other related stories. Here is an excerpt below.)
In an historic session on Independence Day, the Illinois Senate approved three budget-related bills that would raise taxes by $5 billion effective immediately and spend $36.5 billion in fiscal year 2018.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has vowed to veto the tax hike. Even with a Rauner veto, if no votes change in either the House, which passed the same measures Sunday night, or Senate, the tax hikes and spending plan will go into effect.
Senators needed exactly 36 votes to send House Speaker Michael Madigan’s tax increase on to the governor, and that’s exactly how many it received. 18 senators voted against it.
Note: For the amendments passed by the House on Senate bill 0006, which is for the budget, Dale Fowler (R – Harrisburg), voted for them, Paul Schimpf (R- Smithston) voted against them.
For the tax increase, SB0009, both Fowler and Schimpf voted it down.
Old Fred’s Dance Barn catches fire
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35806987/old-freds-dance-barn-catches-fire
CARTERVILLE, IL- (Erin Frey, WSIL-TV. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
WSIL-TV Photo
A piece of Carterville history has been reduced to a pile of smoldering rubble. The old Fred’s Dance Barn just off Grand Avenue went up in flames around 11 p.m. July 3.
According to the website Southern Illinois Fire Incidents, crews from Cambria, Herrin, Hurst and Williamson County Fire Protection District provided mutual for Carterville. Our crew on scene says the building has been destroyed.
Fred’s closed in December 2006, but is currently owned by the Carterville Unit 5 School District. The building was being used as storage. Countless trophies sets for plays and antique school furniture were among the things lost in the fire.
State Senator Dale Fowler week in review – June 26-30
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press release from State Senator Dale Fowler, (R – Harrisburg)
SPRINGFIELD, IL – After busting through a midnight deadline on June 30 to resolve the state’s fiscal situation, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) remains watchfully positive that progress is being made on a FY 2018 budget.
After 11 days of special session, the Senator, who was at the State Capitol for every day of session, felt that some pieces were starting to come together as the Illinois House of Representatives held a vote on a budget bill that received bipartisan support, and negotiations continued between both legislative leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers.
Fowler meets with area superintendents – On the eve of the Senate’s return to the Capitol, Senator Fowler met with 22 Southern Illinois school superintendents to discuss their current fiscal conditions. It was immediately clear that the state’s ongoing budget impasse had taken its toll on schools in the district, as an overwhelming majority of schools have less than four months of operating budgets. A handful of schools expressed extreme concerns about their ability to open for the first day of school in August.
Marion Senior Fair – Despite not being able to attend their own senior fair due to session obligations, Senator Fowler and Representative Dave Severin hosted a successful event on June 27. The inaugural senior fair was held at Marion’s HUB Recreation Center and played host more than 20 vendors from the region. Approximately, 150 senior citizens were able to take advantage of a host of free services provided by the vendors in attendance.
Illinois State Police to conduct roadside safety checks thorugh July
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press release form the Illinois State Police
DuQuoin, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 13 / 22 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Michael Alvey, announces the ISP will conduct Roadside Safety Checks (RSCs) in Williamson County during the month of July 2017. The use of RSCs combine a strong sense of public awareness and enforcement in order to save lives of the motoring public.
The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers working the detail will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, and most importantly:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Safety Belt and Child Restraint use
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.
Alcohol and drug impairment is a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and throughout the U.S., nearly 10,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Senate adjourns with no tax hike, budget votes
July 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
SPRINGFIELD IL – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
Senate President John Cullerton adjourned his chamber late Monday afternoon without calling for votes on tax hike and spending plans approved Sunday by the House, signaling he doesn’t have enough vote to pass them on to the governor.
Cullerton hinted earlier that the Senate might not be able to move House Speaker Michael Madigan’s $5 billion tax hike legislation without Republicans’ support.
The House tax increase plan approved Sunday night includes a 32 percent income tax increase and a 33 percent corporate tax hike. It received “yes” votes from 15 Republicans and 57 Democrats. Both are scheduled to take effect July 1 if approved in the Senate and the measures survive a gubernatorial veto.
Christie flying by state chooper to state park amid shutdown
July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
NOTE: Illinois is not the only state having budget impasse problems. Eleven states are, including New Jersey.
TRENTON, NJ – (Michael Catalini and Bruch Shipkowski, the Trentonian. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below.)
New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie lounged on the beach with his family Sunday afternoon before flying on a state helicopter to Trenton and back again to the shuttered state park where his family is staying at the state-owned governor’s residence there amid a government shutdown that showed little sign of ending.
Christie lounging on a New Jersey beach, which is part of a state park that is closed. His beach house is located around the state park. (Daily Mail photo.)
Christie said Sunday at a news conference in Trenton where he worked without result to end the shutdown that he flew on the state chopper to the residence at Island Beach State Park.
“That’s where my family is sleeping so that’s where I’ll sleep,” he said. “When I have a choice between sleeping with my family or sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.”
Red Cross Offers Steps to Stay Safe on 4th of July
July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press Release from the American Red Cross
We’re all looking forward to the 4th of July holiday. Millions of us will watch fireworks, take a dip in a pool or enjoy a family picnic. The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy their holiday and offers the following safety tips.
FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:
- Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
- Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
- Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
WATER SAFETY If your holiday plans include water fun, follow these tips to help stay safe:
- Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
- Adults: actively supervise children; stay within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers. And kids: follow the rules.
- Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.
- Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and adult supervision.
- Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.
- Reach or throw, don’t go! Know what to do to help someone in trouble, without endangering yourself; know how and when to call 9-1-1; and know CPR.
PICNIC SAFETY Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs. Wash your hands before preparing the food. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. If you are going to cook on a grill, follow these steps:
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
- Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes. The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
