As a member of the Illinois General Assembly, State Representative Chad Hays earlier this year lead a bipartisan vote on a bill to fund 911 emergency services, encouraging his colleagues to support the measure so vital services were not disrupted in any part of the state. 

As Chad Hays, member of a bipartisan musical group comprised of Illinois lawmakers who cover Jimmy Buffett, Marshall Tucker, and the early Rolling Stones, he thinks he’s found something to do long after his days in the General Assembly are over. 

We talk with Representative Hays about both issues.

State Representative Chad Hays announced in Springfield today the filing of new legislation that will protect Illinois patients by establishing standards for adequacy, accessibility and transparency of all health insurance plans sold in Illinois.

HB 6562, the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act, will require health insurers to develop networks of health professionals, hospitals and facilities that meet the needs of the patients enrolled in their insurance plans. It will also require insurers to maintain up-to-date directories of in-network professionals and facilities, and communicate with patients about changes to their networks. Read more.

Governor Bruce Rauner delivered his budget address today to members of the General Assembly. He made clear that he is ready to work across party lines to enact a balanced budget, one that includes reforms that will grow the economy and benefit taxpayers.

He stated his preferred budget is one that is “responsible and compassionate,” but also stressed it had to be balanced. The Governor promised to work with lawmakers to enact cost saving reforms, grow the jobs market and enhance state revenues. However, if Democrats remain unwilling to work in a bipartisan manner, the Governor stated he is willing to reduce spending to bring it in line with revenue. Either way, the governor asked the General Assembly to pass an historic increase in education funding and ensure school openings are not delayed in the fall.

Here is what some of our members are saying about the Governor’s budget address:

“I agree with the Governor’s call for an urgent resolution to our budget impasse.  It is beyond unacceptable that we have not reached a bipartisan resolution to this impasse”  ~ Rep. Norine Hammond (Macomb)

“…The situation we face now is a product of years of mismanagement that cannot continue and I applaud him for offering two realistic paths forward and again calling for politics to be set aside so we can get this done.” ~ Rep. Barbara Wheeler (Crystal Lake)

“I appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Bruce Rauner today. He laid out two paths toward a balanced budget: one which includes a mix of structural reforms, new efficiencies and new revenue; and a second which includes deep cuts if reforms are rejected. The Governor let us know that he is willing to do either, but implored the General Assembly to work with him on the comprehensive approach.” ~ Rep. Chad Hays (Catlin)

We'd like to hear from you. Weigh-in on the Governor's budget proposal.

For more on the state budget and other legislative news:
House Republican news updates 
House Republican videos

The Boat Drink Caucus, a musical group comprised of Illinois lawmakers, will headline for country singer Toby Keith and blues artist Buddy Guy at the Inauguration festivities for Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner on Jan. 12 in Springfield.

Members of the band include Republican state Reps. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake, Chad Hays of Catlin and Democrat Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park.

For the Inauguration event, they will be joined by Rep. Hays' sister, Carla Modglin, a singer and keyboardist from Muskego, WI as well as Tom Grassman (lead guitar), Jeff Markland (drums) and Michael "Guido" Esteves (bass), all of Champaign-Urbana.

The Boat Drink Caucus combines Jimmy Buffett-like tropical style with classic rock favorites.

Read more about the Boat Drink Caucus:
Tom Kacich: Hays' band to open Rauner's inauguration
Illinois state Rep. Mike Tryon’s band to play inauguration concert

Business
IL workers’ comp rates to fall in 2015. Workers’ compensation insurance rates – a key item for many Illinois employers, particularly manufacturers – will drop 5.5 percent next year.

Governor Quinn announced Wednesday the cut in rates is being recommended by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which annually reviews payments and fees and proposes new premium figures.

Illinois Department of Insurance officials are estimating the latest proposed reduction in workers’ compensation advisory and loss cost rates could result in overall reduction of premiums of up to $143 million in 2015, with savings totaling $450 million since reforms were enacted in 2011.

Rebuilding businesses hit by the November tornado just got a little easier. It's thanks to a new law. It says small business owners can catch a break on property taxes if they rebuild after a disaster.

It is protection similar to what homeowners already have. A few years ago, when a tornado hit Harrisburg, a law was signed. It makes sure homeowners rebuilding after a disaster aren't hit with higher property taxes right away. After disaster hit Gifford, a small business owner realized he needed that protection for himself. Read the rest of the story on Central Illinois Proud.

Chicago – Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI)
Governor claims ignorance, scandal grows. Claiming that he had been “reading the paper” and had just learned about the involvement of a key Chicago politician with his $55 million Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, Gov. Quinn admitted this week that questions about the Chicago-based program were “troublesome.”

The beleaguered governor spoke to the press as new questions swirled concerning the involvement of Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown and her husband, Benton Cook III. At the time NRI was in full operation, Cook was a supervisory employee of the Chicago Area Project, a nonprofit social-work organization active in Chicago’s troubled West Garfield Park neighborhood.

“We’ve seen three separate tax hike proposals in the last three days. It is clear that Illinois democrats are preparing to raise taxes again, and the Governor seems unwilling to accept the reality that Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem." ~Rep. Mike Tryon



“Governor Quinn proved to the General Assembly and to the citizens of this State today that his promises mean nothing. With his announcement that he is pushing to make the temporary tax increase of 2011 permanent, he has shown us all that anything he says can’t be trusted. He is on record in 2011 as saying the income tax increase was temporary, but now he wants to take more and more out of the pockets of working Illinoisans and small businesses." ~Rep. Barb Wheeler 

Graduated Income Tax  
House GOP: Graduated Tax Threat to Illinois Jobs, Families.  On Monday, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and members of the Illinois House Republican caucus announced their unanimous opposition to the graduated income tax proposal introduced by legislative Democrats. The plan, currently filed as HJRCA 33, would replace the state’s current flat tax with a graduated income tax system, with rates to be determined by the General Assembly.

“There is a movement in Springfield by the majority party to move Illinois from a flat income tax to a graduated tax,” said Durkin. “The same party responsible for years of overspending, over taxing and a mountain of debt wants to move to a graduated tax for one reason and one reason only – to raise taxes and spend more money.”

Today 23 Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives signed letters sent to the Governor and Attorney General regarding the shortage of propane, urging them to take further action. The shortage during severe weather is causing prices for propane to skyrocket. Many are finding it impossible to pay their heating bills and keep their families warm.

House Republicans thanked the Governor for the recent disaster proclamation and asked him to:

1. Allocate additional emergency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist Illinoisans in paying their propane or other heating bills.
2. Provide emergency low-interest loans/temporary lines of credit to propane distributors/suppliers to ensure they will have the resources necessary to purchase additional propane to alleviate shortages.
3. Work with the General Assembly to pass a temporary suspension of the state sales tax on LP/propane in order to provide some relief to families struggling to heat their homes.
4. Urge the federal government to create a strategic reserve of LP/propane and moderate exports of the fuel while supplies remain critically low.

Additionally, they asked the Attorney General to protect Illinoisans from improper tactics firms may be using during the crisis to gouge consumers.

Gov. Quinn, Rep. Chad Hays and
others tour Gifford earlier this week

Last Sunday while watching the Bears game, the telecast was interrupted by a weather bulletin informing viewers of an outbreak of tornado activity in central Illinois and around the rest of the state as well.

The tornado warnings had already expired in my community of Chatham so I really wasn’t paying much attention until I heard the reporter mention that emergency vehicles had been sent to Gifford, a small community in Champaign County.  Gifford happens to be the home of Country Health Care and Rehab where my mother resides so I immediately started paying closer attention and wanted more details.

The cleanup and recovery from the devastating tornadoes which struck Illinois on Sunday November 17 continues. Six people were killed in Illinois and hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in a line of storms which affected the entire state, from Brookport at the southern tip all the way to Chicago. We have compiled the latest information from state agencies, non-profits and media in the disaster areas to try and assist the victims and their families, and to provide an outlet for those who want to help.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

Washington, Clinton, Madison and St. Clair Counties
Rep. Charlie Meier 

• American Red Cross:  (618) 397-4600
• Washington County Emergency Management Agency: (618) 327-4800 ext. 340
• Clinton County Emergency Management Agency: (618) 594-4455

Pictured: Reps Bill Mitchell, Dennis Reboletti, Patti Bellock, Chad Hays, Jim Durkin, Mike Tryon, David Reis, JoAnn Osmond and David Leitch.

Chief Justice Rita Garman

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman of Danville made history on October 28th of this year.  Upon her swearing in at a ceremony at the Vermilion County Courthouse, Justice Garman became only the second female Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court in our state’s history. Chief Justice Garman is also the longest-serving female judge in the state, and the first Chief Justice to have served in virtually every judicial capacity in Illinois.

Chief Justice Garman grew up wanting to become a lawyer; a goal that was strongly encouraged by her late parents. Some law school professors admonished her, however, for taking up a seat in class that could have gone to a man.  During her career on the Illinois Supreme Court, she has actively participated in hundreds of opinions as well as the Court’s administration; including the establishment of a Special Court Committee on Child Custody Issues to ensure that children’s best interests are the primary focus in child custody cases.

Representative Chad Hays (R-Catlin) sponsored and led Illinois House passage House Resolution 627 which honors Chief Justice Garman for her remarkable career of service to her community and to the people of Illinois.

Want to know more about the Illinois Supreme Court?

In a recent column, Reboot Illinois provides a little background on the current members of the Illinois Supreme Court.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) today is pleased to announce the new House Republican Floor Team.

State Representatives Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) and Chad Hays (R-Danville) will join Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison) and Ed Sullivan Jr. (R-Mundelein) as the Floor Leaders for the Illinois House Republicans.

“Changing state laws, big or small, can have a positive or negative impact on Illinois residents.   It’s critical for each bill to be thoroughly vetted in both committee and on the House floor before any vote is taken.  I am confident in the ability of these four to take the lead when it comes to asking questions of the bill sponsors and making sure the concerns and opinions of our constituents are considered in the debate.  They will also be responsible for ensuring the majority party is following their own rules and protocols during the debate process,” said Durkin.

Also read: House Republican Leader–Elect Jim Durkin announces Leadership Team 

House Republican Leader- Elect
Jim Durkin

Today, Leader-Elect Jim Durkin named State Representative David Leitch (R-Peoria) and State Representative Patti Bellock (R-Westmont) as his Deputy Leaders.   Leitch is the longest serving member in the Illinois House Republican Caucus and brings tremendous knowledge to the team.   Rep. Bellock has successfully led the charge for Medicaid reform over the past several years and is the first woman to serve as a Deputy Leader for the House Republican Caucus.

“One of the largest and most complicated segments of the state budget is Medicaid and no one knows the topic better than Representatives Bellock and Leitch.   Both are very compassionate when it comes to caring for our most vulnerable citizens, while making sure taxpayers are protected from waste and abuse.  Members of our caucus have to come to rely on their opinion on issues related to human services programs and the budget and both are highly respected by their peers.  I am thrilled to have both of them on my team.”

Durkin has named State Representatives:  Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), Chad Hays (R-Danville) Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), JoAnn Osmond (R-Gurnee), Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison), and Mike Tryon (R- Crystal Lake) as Assistant Leaders.  Mike Bost will serve as Conference Chair.   It will be his job to ensure caucus meetings are conducted in an orderly manner.

“Each of these members brings a different perspective and area of expertise to the team and all want the best for the residents of Illinois.  I have tremendous faith and trust in each of them and am ready to sit down with them to develop an agenda and work on issues important to families and employers in Illinois,” said Durkin.

While the team has been selected and will meet during the first week of veto session, Durkin’s new leadership team becomes effective on November 1, 2013.

On May 27, 2013 the House debated Medicaid Expansion. All Republicans voted against the measure. Here's what several of our members had to say during that debate:

“The courts are allowing us to enroll in the Federal Medicaid Expansion at any time,” said Rep. Patti Bellock. “This is no time to rush into a massive expansion the State and Illinois taxpayers cannot afford. We need to spend more time getting our fiscal house in order to ensure Medicaid is sustained for those it was designed to serve.”