New Illinois $15 minimum wage bill reopens wage fight
MADIGAN HAS SPENT NEARLY $170,000 IN CAMPAIGN FUNDS ON BASEBALL TICKETS IN 2017
Rauner: State trip isn’t campaigning
Severin Supports Property Tax Relief Bill for Senior’s and Veterans
Press release from State Representative Dave Severin
SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) has signed on as a co-sponsor to House Bill 156. The bill will provide property tax relief to senior citizens and veterans by making changes to the Illinois Income Tax Act.
Rep. Severin cited the unusually high property taxes seen in Illinois compared to surrounding states and said the legislature needs to relieve some of this burden on the older groups.
“Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the nation,” Severin said. “These taxes can be crippling for many people, especially senior citizens living on fixed incomes. As lawmakers this is the least we can do for our seniors and veterans.”
HB 156 would increase homestead exemption for senior citizens from $5,000 to $6,000. The bill also provides that the homestead exemption will provide additional tax relief to veterans over the age of 75.
MUNSTER, IN- (Associated Press. Click to read the entire story. Here is an expert) Experts say the number of Illinois residents pulling up stakes and moving to Indiana likely will grow in the coming years because of factors including a lower cost of living and lower taxes. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows more than 34,220 Illinois residents moved to Indiana in 2015, the most recent year for which data was available. Northwest Indiana Forum Economic Development Director Joe Rurode tells The (Northwest Indiana) Times people also are migrating to the region because they recognize significant quality of life improvements that are occurring.he entire story. Here is an excerpt (Severin drafted bill passes Illinois House -cycling official state excercise
Week in Review. March 31. Press release from State Representative Dave Severin’s (R – Benton) office.
It has been a busy couple weeks at the Capitol. Now being on the new job for about two and a half months it is disappointing to see the lack of progress on the state budget, however I remain optimistic that both sides will be able come together sooner rather than later.
Despite the impasse, my office and I have been working hard to represent the families of the 117th District. This includes setting up advisory committees, announcing grant money for local cities, and passing new legislation. Here are the highlights from the last couple weeks.
DCEO Announces Grant money for Local Cities
On Monday, March 20, I announced that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) would be providing $1.9 million in grant funding to several cities in our district. These grants will provide funds to improve sewer systems in the following cities:
– City of Orient will receive $237,540 to rehabilitate 10 municipal sewer pump stations
– City of Sesser will receive $450,000 to construct rehabilitation of sanitary sewer
– City of Herrin will receive $450,000 to replace lift station, manhole and corresponding pipe
– City of Johnson City will receive $385,547 for west side target area sewer main replacements
– City of Christopher will receive $388,493 for southeast side target area sewer main replacements
Advisory Committee Meeting
Last Friday, I kicked off my advisory committees with an introductory meeting at John A. Logan College. We had a great turnout! More than 100 leaders from various different disciplines showed up to take part in the event.
We have established committees for Agriculture, Energy, Education, Tourism, Business, Veterans, Clergy, Law Enforcement/First Responders, Healthcare/Human Services, and local Mayors. Being able to receive reliable feedback from constituents is crucial to my position. My hope is that regular meetings with these committees will show me how I can be of better service to the 117th District.
Luncheon
On Monday, Senator Fowler and I attended a joint luncheon with the Benton-West City Economic Development Corporation and Franklin County Hospital. This included a tour of Franklin County Hospital. I enjoyed getting the chance to seeing the fine people in both these organizations and learn more about the good work they provide for Franklin County.
HB 2895 Passes the House Floor
Representative Dave Severin meeting with the Benton West-City Economic Development Board
On Wednesday, I was able to pass my second bill through the Illinois House of Representatives. This bill would establish cycling as Illinois’ official state exercise. The goal of this legislation is to show how cycling is a low impact exercise that welcomes people of all shapes and sizes and to highlight all the great bike trails Illinois has to offer. Below are links to all the health benefits of cycling and all the bike trails Illinois provides.
Stay Connected
My office in Marion is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can email me through the Contact Form on my website at www.repseverin.com. My staff and I are here to serve you! So please feel free to share your opinions with us.
Several FEMA campers to be scrapped by National Guard
A few of several campers at a Sparta scrapyard waiting for demolition. (Randolph County Journal photo)
State Senator Dale Fowler’s week in review
Illinois Senators remained in their legislative districts for the week, holding constituent meetings and attending community events, according to State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).
Senator Fowler did a couple media visits recapping his recent visit to Cairo with Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). The Senator expressed his optimism that the proposed Cairo Port Authority project could begin the next phase of trying to acquire some capital funding or grants from the federal government.
On March 22, Senator Fowler and fellow Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) visited Shawnee High School in Union County. The two Senators visited as part of their efforts to learn more about the infrastructure needs of their respective districts.
Shawnee School District serves Alexander, Jackson, and Union Counties along the Mississippi River. The school district’s students have been working on an ongoing levee education project for seven years, in which they have highlighted the area’s need for improved levee conditions. The school district is at the intersection of the Big Muddy and Mississippi Rivers. In recent years, the Army Corps of Engineers decertified the Big Muddy levees making them ineligible for federal funds.
Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and former Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) successfully passed legislation which will enable the Big Muddy levees to receive some critical upgrades.
On March 24, Senator Fowler traveled to Vienna to talk with junior high social studies classes about the importance of being involved in government.
Carbondale Town Hall Reminder
Senator Fowler will be co-hosting a town hall legislative forum with Senator Paul Schimpf in Carbondale on April 1. The event will be held at Carbondale Township Building located at 216 E. Monroe in Carbondale. It will begin at 9:00 A.M. and will end at 11:00 A.M. Free coffee and donuts will be provided to those constituents in attendance.
