The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced cancellations in the Late Winter Deer Season for the 2014/2015 season that will affect hunters in Menard & Sangamon counties. According to the IDNR, Illinois strategy is shifting from deer herd reduction to maintaining or increasing deer populations. As a result, NO permits will be issued for Late Winter Deer Season 2014/2015 for hunting in Menard and Sangamon Counties. Read more on Rep. Rich Brauer's website.

Chicago/NRI
Legislative Audit Commission schedules next NRI briefing for July 16. The Legislative Audit Commission, which reviewed the performance audit of the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI) on May 28, is continuing its investigation of the troubled NRI program. This was the program, overseen by the since-disbanded Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, which distributed grants to Chicago social workers for the stated purpose of increasing neighborhood and community ties and fighting street crime.

Rep. Rich Brauer

Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help organizers of charitable poker runs in Illinois. The legislation ensures that more of the money raised from these grassroots events will go toward the intended recipient by reducing required fees. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to encourage volunteerism in Illinois.

"These rides are a creative way to raise funds to support worthy causes," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will help even more events get rolling and help support organizations across Illinois."

According to Representative Rich Brauer, the House sponsor of the bill, "This legislation cleaned up some regulations that were impeding motorcycle-based fundraising events."  Read more here.

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Final Days of 2014 Spring Session
As third week of May ends, only six session days remain for vital work. Left undetermined as of Friday, May 23 were key decisions affecting the future of all Illinoisans, including the FY15 State budget.

The key twelve-month spending plan will govern State spending and operations starting in only one month, July 1, 2014. A $3 billion gap between expected State tax revenues and Democrat-led spending requests will create significant challenges for lawmakers.

Substantive, non-budget issues will also require action, and positions and legislative language could change over this period from moment to moment. Stay tuned to The Caucus Blog for continuously updated information on these key questions.

On the heels of what might prove to be the first in a long line of tax increase votes, Illinois House Republicans are launching an online petition drive AGAINST the effort to make the Illinois temporary tax increase of 2011 permanent.

On January 11, 2011 Illinois Democrats raised the state income tax by 67% during a lame duck session in what sponsors claimed would be a short term solution to paying Illinois’ bills. Three years later, Illinois continues to carry nearly $7 billion in unpaid bills while struggling with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation at 8.4%.

Representative Rich Brauer responded to threats that the State government will have to make significant cuts: "Its about priorities. When you look at state government spending in the last 10-12 years, spending has exploded. They are looking at things that are designed to hurt and I think there are some scare tactics in there."  Read more.

Rep. Rich Brauer is a full-time State Legislator; a sixth generation family farmer and life-long resident of the 87th IL House District. He is a graduate of Petersburg PORTA High School and attended Southern Illinois University and Western Illinois University.

As a legislator, Rich is an ardent supporter of the Illinois State Constitution and reflects the interests of his constituents in his votes on the Illinois House floor. Read more about Rep. Brauer.

News from Rep. Brauer
Current Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Brauer
Rep. Brauer's Committees 

Row 1:  Rep. Rich Brauer on farm tour and at "Kiss a Pig" Diabetes Fundraisers.

Row 2:  Reps Rich Brauer & Raymond Poe at Oak Ridge Cemetery Gate Dedication and with Menard County Fair Queen.

This week, caucus members joined House Republican Leader Tom Cross in unveiling a legislative package designed to make college more affordable for Illinois families.