Legislation introduced by State Representative Bradley Fritts earlier this year will benefit taxpayers in small rural towns throughout Illinois. Working with the Illinois Comptroller's office and township officials, Fritts crafted legislation that ensures accountability and reduces burdensome costs for small rural communities.  House Bill 5011 passed out of the House of Representatives with unanimous support on April 18.

State Representative Mike Coffey won House passage of his bill to include children of Operation Just Cause veterans on the list of those eligible for scholarships at the University of Illinois.

House Bill 4733 expands eligibility for honorary scholarships at the University of Illinois to the children of veterans who served at any time during the invasion of Panama between December 20, 1989, and January 31, 1990. These children would join the sons and daughters of veterans who served during conflicts dating back to World War II in having eligibility for the scholarships.

BUDGET
Moody’s adds “positive” outlook to State of Illinois credit rating of A3. This moves Illinois further away from “junk bond” territory. However, Illinois debts continue to have a lower credit rating than the debts issued by most U.S. states. Illinois taxpayers continue to be required to pay higher interest rates than most other states on the debts sold to rebuild public roads, bridges, and infrastructure. This is an increasing concern in a time of rising worldwide interest rates.

State Representative Amy Elik won unanimous support in the House of Representatives for her bipartisan legislation to protect students from abuse. 

House Bill 4241 amends the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code and ensures that school employees who commit acts of sexual conduct or sexual penetration with a student, regardless of the student’s age, are held responsible.

State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) passed legislation in the House of Representatives last week aimed at increasing the number of childcare providers in Illinois.

“The passage of House Bill 4059 is the first step in addressing the critical shortage of licensed daycare providers in the state of Illinois,” said Rep. Haas. “This bill ensures the Department of Children and Family Services continues to host at least two licensing orientation programs in each district for individuals interested in becoming daycare providers.”

House Bill 4350, also known as the Child Abuse Notice Act, sponsored by State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville), passed on the House floor last week. The bill will now move to the Senate for a vote.

“The passage of the Child Abuse Notice Act is a huge step forward to save children in Illinois facing abuse and trafficking,” said Rep. Davis. “Many children in these situations are kept away from places where adults may recognize the signs of abuse. This bill will target victims in locations identified by the Illinois State Police, such as truck stops, train stations, and tattoo parlors.”

On April 15, protesters cut–off vehicle access to O’Hare Airport causing major traffic delays, forcing people to exit their vehicles and walk along the expressway, luggage in tow, trying to make their flights on time. Other travelers missed their flights altogether.

The safety issues that resulted from the protesters’ decision to shut down a ramp to O’Hare caused Rep. Dan Ugaste to consider the public safety implications of their actions. Not only did the protesters prevent people from getting to the airport and create a major traffic nightmare, but, their actions could have also delayed first responders and other medical services, like the transport of vital organs, with terrible consequences.