Springfield, IL – Today the Illinois Senate passed legislation that will provide for funding and support for diabetes research through the creation of a Diabetes Awareness license plate. 

House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) sponsored the legislation in the House which will provide funding for diabetes research in Illinois.  The legislation will deposit proceeds for the issuance of each license plate into the Diabetes Research Check Off fund. “A major component of this legislation will help fund research efforts for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and will hopefully lead to a cure,” said Cross.  “We also hope when individuals see the license plates on the road they will be encouraged to be screened themselves.” 

House Bill 1815was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).  

“I’ve long advocated for increased education and awareness of diabetes, a serious condition that affects citizens across all racial and social barriers. I am happy to have joined forces with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to carry solid bipartisan legislation that’s going to provide much needed funding to support Diabetes Awareness,” added Hunter.    

If signed into law by the governor, this bill would charge Diabetes Awareness license plate applicants a $40 fee for original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee. Of this fee, $25 would be deposited into the Diabetes Research Check Off Fund.  Money in the Diabetes Check Off Fund is made available through Illinois Department of Public Health grants.  The grants are dispersed to public or private entities, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association, in Illinois for the purpose of funding diabetes research.  

Experts say the sooner diabetes is diagnosed and properly treated, your chances decrease of being diagnosed with the potentially deadly side effects such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke.

Recent reports indicate that starting in 2010, personnel of federal IRS, including high-ranking and supervisory personnel, singled out American individuals and groups based on their apparent political leanings. These groups have been denied or delayed recognition of their nonprofit standing based upon how these groups use certain identification words favored by political conservatives, including “Tea Party”, “patriot”, and “9/12”.

“This is an outrageous violation of the trust that the American people have put in the federal government,” says McSweeney. “Any politically-motivated targeting of Americans by the IRS is intolerable and I expect a full investigation.”

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“In a large, rural district we pay into the road fund every year with knowledge of the importance of good roads and safe bridges,” Halbrook said. “Now we learn that those dollars have taken a detour to pay for other purposes. It is irresponsible and it is wrong.”

The Auditor General’s report found that one-fourth of payments from the Road Fund in each of the last two years went not to road construction, but to salaries, insurance and other “non-direct” costs. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation predicts that one-third of roads under its jurisdiction will be below what it considers “acceptable” condition by the end of this decade.

“Too many of these games have been played over the past decade,” Halbrook said. “This budgetary sleight of hand has gotten the state into deep financial distress and it has to stop.”

In the past decade, taxpayers contributed $25 billion to the Road Fund with their gasoline taxes and license plate fees. The Auditor General found significant diversions in each of those years. The full report can be found at http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/.

As I’ve commented in the past, a prayer by an invited “person of faith” always is the first order of business as we begin session. I cherish this tradition. Many of their words are very inspirational.

Often the prayer is traditional. You can always recognize when great effort has gone into finding the right words in planning the prayer. Occasionally the prayer is very different. On May 8, 2013 Pastor Stephen Swanson of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Villa Park, Illinois, the guest of a bright young legislator, Representative Deborah Conroy (D-Downers Grove), delivered the following message:

It was a warm spring day, we lowered the top on our old convertible for a drive on the hilly roads that follow the Ohio River from Cairo to Metropolis. We came down a steep decline to a narrow bridge that crossed a small river and had to stop. On the bridge was a skunk that had gotten its head stuck in a chocolate syrup can and was now running back and forth from one side of the bridge to the other.

What to do. We could turn around and drive back the way we came, accelerate and hope not to hit the skunk as we crossed the bridge or get out of the car, walk up to the skunk and remove the chocolate syrup can…at the risk of being misunderstood.

You have been elected to a holy calling, to write laws that resist evil and provide order for the common good of all people of Illinois.

Let us pray. O God, bless each of these legislators with wisdom and courage to fulfill their call, a call to write laws that “recover sight to the blind, bring liberty to the oppressed and good news to the poor”…even at the risk of being misunderstood. Amen

I’ve saved excerpts of prayers delivered that I’ve found memorable. Who delivered them? lost in the fog of time. One brief excerpt that has stayed with me is “you can deliver a better sermon with your life than with you lips”.

The following is attributed to being found in the pocket of a dead confederate soldier at Gettysburg:  “I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.”

I will go to my grave giving thanks for the privilege of serving as an Illinois State Representative. When my day comes to leave this hallowed chamber, as much as the people, I will miss the prayer.

“I am outraged to learn that our state agencies controlled by the Governor chose to raid from the road fund, unfortunately it’s no surprise,” said Rep. Bost. “It began with previous administrations robbing from the pension system to pay the bills, now we find out our state is robbing from the road fund to pay the bills. We have roads to repair, the road fund is to be used for roads.”

The Office of the Auditor General as required by Senate Resolution 788 conducted an audit of money deposited into the Road Fund and its expenditures over a 10 year period. Over a 10 year period dating back from 2002-2011, Road Fund expenditures were $25.1 billion, with 25% ($6.2 billion) of expenditures made by state agencies other than Illinois Department of Transportation.

“We pay one of the highest gasoline taxes in the nation,” said Rep. Bost. “Money collected from the gas tax goes to the road fund to maintain and improve our roads. Tax dollars which are deposited into the road fund should be used for such purpose, improving our roads – not for any other cost. The Illinois legislature on an annual basis appropriates funds to state agencies to pay for operating costs, state agencies should not be able to take funds appropriated for our roads just because they fail to balance their own budget.”

The Auditor General’s report is available here: http://www.auditor.illinois.gov.

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SPRINGFIELD – House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and state Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) have partnered with DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin to introduce legislation that calls for felony charges when a hired driver transports passengers while under the influence of alcohol. 

As previously reported, limousine driver Richard Madison was charged with misdemeanor DUI and reckless conduct after transporting Oswego East High School students to their prom in Glen Ellyn. Madison’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, but was not charged with a felony. 

Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) talks to the Springfield press corps about a new bill that will crack down on DUI offenders that are for-hire drivers and under the influence of alcohol.

“When hiring a driver, you expect safe travels from a professional who is sober,” said Cross. “This time of year, many of our teenagers are heading to prom and enjoying this milestone in their life.  Their parents shouldn’t have to worry about getting their kids there safely.  Imagine the horror of these Oswego East High School students this weekend when they had to call their parents to tell them that their driver was drunk.” 

While DUI is a Class A misdemeanor, current Illinois law allows for a DUI felony charge if a school bus driver is caught transporting passengers are under the age of 18 while under the influence of alcohol. 

House Bill 3630 would give states’ attorneys the ability to charge a for-hire driver with a Class 4 felony if he/she is guilty of driving passengers while under the influence of alcohol.  This crime would be punishable by 1-3 years in prison or up to 2 ½ years of probation. In addition, a school bus driver who is guilty of driving under the influence will be guilty of felony aggravated DUI, regardless of the age of the passengers.

“For-hire drivers assume the responsibility of each and every life in that vehicle,” said Reboletti. “If they want to abuse that responsibility then they are going to suffer the consequences with increased penalties.” 

“Whether hailing a cab or contracting with a professional livery service, passengers have the right to expect that they will arrive at their destination safely,” said Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney.  “Increasing the penalty for drivers of these vehicles convicted of DUI sends a message that as the person responsible for the safety of others, you will face a stiffer penalty if found guilty of DUI.

As previously reported, limousine driver Richard Madison was charged with misdemeanor DUI and reckless conduct after transporting Oswego East High School students to their prom in Glen Ellyn last weekend. Madison’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, but was not charged with a felony.

“When hiring a driver, you expect safe travels from a professional who is sober,” said Cross. “This time of year, many of our teenagers are heading to prom and enjoying this milestone in their life. Their parents shouldn’t have to worry about getting their kids there safely. Imagine the horror of these Oswego East High School students this weekend when they had to call their parents to tell them that their driver was drunk.”

While DUI is a Class A misdemeanor, current Illinois law allows for a DUI felony charge if a school bus driver is caught transporting passengers are under the age of 18 while under the influence of alcohol.

House Bill 3630 would give states’ attorneys the ability to charge a for-hire driver with a Class 4 felony if he/she is guilty of driving passengers while under the influence of alcohol. This crime would be punishable by 1–3 years in prison or up to 2 ½ years of probation. In addition, a school bus driver who is guilty of driving under the influence will be guilty of felony aggravated DUI, regardless of the age of the passengers.

Both Reps. Cross and Reboletti are former prosecutors and believe this will give states’ attorneys another option to charge alleged criminals appropriately.

“For-hire drivers assume the responsibility of each and every life in that vehicle,” said Reboletti. “If they want to abuse that responsibility then they are going to suffer the consequences with increased penalties.”

“Whether hailing a cab or contracting with a professional livery service, passengers have the right to expect that they will arrive at their destination safely,” said Bob Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney. “Increasing the penalty for drivers of these vehicles convicted of DUI sends a message that as the person responsible for the safety of others, you will face a stiffer penalty if found guilty of DUI.

Unfortunately, as House Speaker Michael Madigan admitted last week, he and other lawmakers — with help from union bosses — have legislated over the years without regard for fiscal realities. By these actions, they have abused taxpayers and have shown their disregard for the dedication of public workers.

Today, public sector employees stand in the middle of a battle over a pension promise around which they based their future plans, but one that can’t be kept. I understand their anger. They were betrayed, and now their security is threatened.

Many argue that their employee contributions to these systems (negotiated amounts ranging from zero to 9.4 percent of salary) constitute paying their “fair share,” and that it’s the “state’s” fault for not contributing sufficient funds to make the system whole.

Here’s the rub: “The state” consists of all Illinoisans. During the past several decades, taxpayers have paid into the pension systems more than double the amount of public employee contributions. Taxpayers have contributed $8 billion more than originally called for by the 1995 funding ramp.

Under the current system, taxpayers will be expected to make up the difference between pension promises to workers and actual funds available. Largely due to inherent flaws within defined benefit plans, the state’s pension unfunded liability now exceeds $100 billion.

What happens when citizens are unable or unwilling to pay the taxes necessary to keep the pension systems afloat? What happens when businesses flee the state because they can’t afford to operate in Illinois? What happens when job loss leads to migration to other states?

While unions may be victorious in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn any reform as “unconstitutional,” there will be little — or nothing — to be won long-term. Without real pension reform, the well runs dry, and state employees could receive nothing in retirement.

Speaker Madigan said we need “radical surgery.” He’s right. We need bold changes to ensure state government’s ability to provide fundamental services and fulfill pension promises to the best of our ability.

With state Rep. Jeanne Ives, I’ve introduced House Bill 3303 that provides a clear path to modernize our pension systems by moving to a defined contribution plan. Private and public entities have embraced these plans because they are sustainable and better guarantee retirement security for all.

Under this plan, the state will continue to make payments into the pension funds for the next 30 years in order to pay for the pension credits that have already been earned. The retirement age will be raised, and COLAs will be frozen until the funds reach full funding. The sustainability of the system — as well as ability to treat younger workers fairly — depends upon it.

Going forward, state workers who participate in Social Security will receive a 3 percent employer contribution to a self-managed fund to which they also contribute. Teachers, the bulk of whom do not participate in Social Security, will receive a 7 percent contribution from their school district toward a self-managed fund while their employee contribution rate will decrease from 9.4 percent to 8 percent.

To protect against swings in the stock market, workers have the choice to shift into safer investments like bonds or annuities.

These self-managed retirement plans are both flexible and portable, something not available under the current system.

We need to rethink old notions of retirement. The economy is dynamic, individuals are living longer, and the government — which is supposed to serve taxpayers, not the other way around — must change its retirement system to reflect these new realities.

State employees may have a promise, but they have no security. For those seeking to win a lawsuit, the game continues. For those seeking retirement security, House Bill 3303 is the answer.

Ÿ State Rep. Tom Morrison is a Republican from Palatine.

“This is going to happen,” the powerful Chicago Democrat said. “There will be a new plan.”

Chicago schools pay for their teachers’ pensions, and Madigan has often said suburban and downstate schools get a “free lunch” by not paying for theirs.

The issue was left out of the larger pension bill because of its unpopularity with suburban lawmakers, who are concerned it will eat into local school district budgets and could increase property taxes, schools’ main revenue source.

“The property tax payers in this state are getting killed,” said state Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican. “I am concerned that a cost shift is going to result in a massive property tax increase.”

Along with their worries about tax hikes, McSweeney’s fellow Republicans, as well as some suburban and downstate Democrats, say if pension investments do not perform as expected, schools could face pension debt in their future similar to what the state faces now.

Stand For Children Illinois, an education advocacy group, estimates that if a major cost shift were implemented, school districts in Lake and Kane counties would lose between $15 and $150 per student and school districts in DuPage and McHenry counties would lose more than $150 per student.

The losses would affect districts in those counties the hardest because of their high level of property wealth and high payroll costs, which would lead to larger pension payments.

Madigan seeks to craft cost-shifting legislation separate from his pension plan that passed the House last week.

Madigan said a cost shift would put the responsibility of paying for teachers’ pensions in the hands of the administrators who are already responsible for paying their salaries.

“The state of Illinois should not be paying for the pension costs of employees of local governments,” Madigan said.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, agreed with Madigan’s assertions that a cost shift is needed to solve the state’s pension crisis, but she wasn’t sure he’d be able to get enough lawmakers on board.

“As much as we like to think he controls everything around here, there is still the necessity of putting 60 votes on something, and we’ll see whether 60 legislators are willing to support that,” Nekritz said.

Nekritz has penned several pension reforms, each of which contained a gradual cost shift and none of which were voted through either chamber of the General Assembly.