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During the summer, members of the House Republican caucus are touring their districts attending events and meeting with their constituents. Here are just a few of our members in action this summer.




Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) participated in a diabetes screening and educational seminar in Jerseyville on Thursday, July 25. Davidsmeyer recevied an excellent report, but encouraged all residents to get screened and to practice healthy eating habits.





Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) hosted a town hall meeting July 25 in Wheaton to review this year's spring legislative session. To view the full presentation, visit www.jeanneives.org.

Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Charleston) conducted an informational seminar on Illinois' new concealed carry law July 25 in Robinson. Check back to the Caucus Blog throughout the summer and fall as more information develops on the implementation of the law.

Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth)

Nineteen House Republicans joined together this spring to co-sponsor HB 28, a bill to sell most of the state's airplane fleet. Last week, WICS in Springfield spoke with Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), the bill's primary sponsor, as part of its feature on the state's airplanes for its "Waste Watch" segment.

WICS -- Hollywood actors, political spouses and Supreme Court justices are among hundreds of people flying around the state on your dime.

Taxpayers are spending millions of dollars to shuttle people on hundreds of flights on state-owned airplanes. That's just this year.

At a time when Illinois is more than $6 billion in debt, one critic is calling it a luxury the state can't afford.

To view the full segment, click here

I am the world’s most famous cartoon sailor.

I was created by E.Z. Segar, and first appeared in Thimble Theateron January 17, 1929.

Several of my cartoon pals are based on real characters found on the Mississippi River.

There’s no snack I enjoy more than a nice can of spinach.

Still stumped? Click below for the answer.

When members are not is session they spend the majority of their time meeting with constituent, attending events and addressing issues affecting their districts. In the photo above are Reps. Jim Durkin,  Patti Bellock, Darlene Senger and Ron Sandack (on the fire engine).

Chicago

·         McCormick Place expansion measure becomes law.   Plans were unveiled in mid-May to construct a 10,000-seat arena, which could be used as a meeting space or for athletic contests, adjacent to Chicago’s McCormick Place.  The project, which is expected to cost $173 million, will have the De Paul Blue Demons basketball team as its flagship tenant.  The name of the arena, and the arena’s luxury-box and sponsorship arrangements, have not yet been revealed.  The arena could also be used for large-group convention events and presentations.   The new Chicago arena legislation was “bundled” into an end-of-session omnibus economic development measure, SB 20, and was signed into law as P.A. 98-109 on Thursday, July 25.  The final House vote on the bill was 81-35-1 (the omnibus bill also contained other controversial measures).

Rep. David Reis

State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) is joining fellow lawmakers and local residents in voicing strong opposition to a proposed regulation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal mandating fire sprinkler systems be installed in all new residential home construction and existing places of assembly.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) proposed the new regulation on June 28, 2013, requiring the installation of fire sprinkler systems in new one-and-two family homes.   Existing churches and other places of public worship are also affected by this rulemaking.

“Right now families are working hard to save enough money to purchase or build a home, and with this mandate, they will be required to pay thousands of dollars more,” Rep. Reis said.  “Additionally, many homes downstate rely on wells for fresh water that cannot accommodate these increased demands, which will lead to additional well drilling costs.”