From the Office of Secretary of State Jesse White
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that the public will now be able to report disability parking abuse through the Secretary of State’s Web site.
The public can go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com when they see people violating the Persons With Disabilities Parking Program.
“We’re pleased to use technology to make it easier for the public to alert us to people that wrongfully abuse this meaningful program,” White said. “We want to catch those individuals who take these vital spaces from those who are truly in need.”
People can now report able-bodied people parking in disability parking spaces or using disability placards without the disabled individual in the vehicle. People can make the report anonymously, but they must be able to report the license plate, disability placard, or disability plate number.
White also warns people never to confront the abuser.
To report abuse, go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com and on the home page click on the icon that says “Complaint Form Parking for Persons With Disabilities.”
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock Lead 49 Representatives in Bipartisan Effort to Protect Small Businesses in Health Care Debate
From the Office of Congressman Aaron Schock
Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA-02) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) are leading a bipartisan effort to make sure that the interests of small businesses take center stage in the debate over health care reform.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner signed by 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans, Nye and Schock write that “regardless of party affiliation, we all agree we must take action to reform health care” and to reduce costs for small businesses.
However, Nye and Schock conclude: “Any proposal that simply replaces one crippling expense with another is not reform at all, and is something we cannot support.”
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock are respectively the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology.
Congressman Glenn Nye said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but they’re being held back by health care costs that make it harder to compete. The small business owners that I talk to in Virginia know that we need health care reform now so that they can start creating jobs. I support health care reform that provides real relief for small businesses, and that guarantees that all Americans have access to quality, affordable medical care, and the freedom to choose their own plan and their own doctor.”
Congressman Aaron Schock said: “Small businesses employ over 50 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, the increasing cost of health care has placed a heavy burden on these employers. As we work to reform our broken health care system, it is of the upmost importance to ensure these reforms not only are bipartisan, but also allow small businesses to flourish.”
In addition to attracting strong bipartisan support from 49 Representatives on both sides of the aisle, the effort has also secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Brad Close, NFIB vice president of federal public policy, said: “Small business owners need Congress to consider real reforms that address unsustainable health care costs and the lack of choices and competition among insurance providers in the small group market. NFIB appreciates Rep. Nye’s leadership in calling to attention how important it is for health care reform to help and not harm small business owners. We hope members of Congress will follow the advice of Rep. Nye and his colleagues and demand that health care reform provides meaningful relief for small business owners.”
Washington, DC – Congressman Glenn Nye (D-VA-02) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) are leading a bipartisan effort to make sure that the interests of small businesses take center stage in the debate over health care reform.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner signed by 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans, Nye and Schock write that “regardless of party affiliation, we all agree we must take action to reform health care” and to reduce costs for small businesses.
However, Nye and Schock conclude: “Any proposal that simply replaces one crippling expense with another is not reform at all, and is something we cannot support.”
Glenn Nye and Aaron Schock are respectively the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology.
Congressman Glenn Nye said: “Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but they’re being held back by health care costs that make it harder to compete. The small business owners that I talk to in Virginia know that we need health care reform now so that they can start creating jobs. I support health care reform that provides real relief for small businesses, and that guarantees that all Americans have access to quality, affordable medical care, and the freedom to choose their own plan and their own doctor.”
Congressman Aaron Schock said: “Small businesses employ over 50 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, the increasing cost of health care has placed a heavy burden on these employers. As we work to reform our broken health care system, it is of the upmost importance to ensure these reforms not only are bipartisan, but also allow small businesses to flourish.”
In addition to attracting strong bipartisan support from 49 Representatives on both sides of the aisle, the effort has also secured the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).
Brad Close, NFIB vice president of federal public policy, said: “Small business owners need Congress to consider real reforms that address unsustainable health care costs and the lack of choices and competition among insurance providers in the small group market. NFIB appreciates Rep. Nye’s leadership in calling to attention how important it is for health care reform to help and not harm small business owners. We hope members of Congress will follow the advice of Rep. Nye and his colleagues and demand that health care reform provides meaningful relief for small business owners.”
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Gov Quinn Names Six New Members to Teachers Retirement Board, & Five to State Board of Investment
CHICAGO – June 3, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn is fulfilling his pledge to reform top state pension boards by naming six new trustees to the Teachers’ Retirement System Board and five new members to the State Board of Investment. Recently, the Governor signed legislation to reform the boards by implementing needed structural changes and ensuring the boards are more open and accountable to the people.
The Teachers’ Retirement System Board provides retirement pensions and other benefits for teachers and beneficiaries. The State Board of Investment manages the investments of the State Employees’ Retirement System, General Assembly Retirement System, Judges Retirement System, and the Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan.
The new members of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board include:
Matthew Berns, Trustee – Berns, a graduate of University of Michigan Law School, has worked at Hu-Friedy Manufacturing for the past three years and serves on their 401 (k) Committee. He is a former employer of Culligan Manufacturing and Focal Communications Corporation.
Michael D. Busby, Trustee – Busby served for 18 years as the Vice President of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a global human resource pension consulting firm. He has more than 35 years experience with the pension industry, including plan design, funding, investment and administration. He has a degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Livia Kiser, Trustee – Kiser, a trial attorney at Latham Watkins, LLP, has represented companies in administrative and regulatory proceedings, while also providing pro bono work in the areas of education and prisoner’s rights. Kiser has also served on her local school board. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law.
Sidney Marder, Trustee – Marder, of Springfield, has been an active member in his local community and a longtime environmental advocate. He previously served as the State of Illinois, Director of the Division of Energy, a member of the Illinois Pollution Control Board and owner and partner in Marder & Associates, an environmental consulting firm.
Janice Reedus, Trustee – Reedus is the Vice President of Administration and Finance at Fenwick High School and previously served as the Senior Vice President of Bank of America. A graduate of the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management, she has managed budgets over $20 million and, in partnership with investment advisors, an $18 million investment portfolio.
Sonia Walwyn, Trustee – Walwyn is the Vice President of the Midwest Region for Keane Organization, Inc. She previously served as Senior Manager, State & Local Tax Practice Leader at KPMG, LLP., Director of Tax and Legal Services at Pricewaterhousecoopers, LLP. and Deputy General Counsel for the Treasury Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of the Villanova School of Law.
The new members of the Board of Investment include:
John Casey, Trustee – Casey is the former Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs, an organization that represents over 14,000 local YMCAs in 124 countries with 45 million members. He previously served as the President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for 10 years. He received a Masters in Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago.
Fred Montgomery, Trustee – Montgomery is the Director of State and Local Tax for the Sara Lee Corporation. Previously, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in Illinois and attorney at the Illinois Department of Revenue. Montgomery is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois and the Civic Federation of Chicago. He received a Masters in Social Sciences from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University School of Law.
Michele Bush, Trustee – Bush has served on a number of organizations and boards including Advocate Health Care and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church, which administers one of the largest pension funds in Illinois. She has received a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University Law School and a Master of Laws in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Heather Parish, Trustee – Parish is a community development consultant in Chicago. Previously she served as a public finance investment banker and fiscal/policy analyst for the State of California, specializing in personal income and bank and corporate tax legislation. Parish is a member of the Wieboldt Foundation board and received a Master’s in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Ronald Powell, Trustee – Powell is a current trustee of the Illinois State Board of Investment. Powell is the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 881 President and International Vice President. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago and a trustee of the UFCW Midwest Pension Fund.
For more information on Illinois Boards and Commissions, please visit Appointments.Illinois.gov.
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The Teachers’ Retirement System Board provides retirement pensions and other benefits for teachers and beneficiaries. The State Board of Investment manages the investments of the State Employees’ Retirement System, General Assembly Retirement System, Judges Retirement System, and the Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan.
The new members of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board include:
Matthew Berns, Trustee – Berns, a graduate of University of Michigan Law School, has worked at Hu-Friedy Manufacturing for the past three years and serves on their 401 (k) Committee. He is a former employer of Culligan Manufacturing and Focal Communications Corporation.
Michael D. Busby, Trustee – Busby served for 18 years as the Vice President of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a global human resource pension consulting firm. He has more than 35 years experience with the pension industry, including plan design, funding, investment and administration. He has a degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Livia Kiser, Trustee – Kiser, a trial attorney at Latham Watkins, LLP, has represented companies in administrative and regulatory proceedings, while also providing pro bono work in the areas of education and prisoner’s rights. Kiser has also served on her local school board. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law.
Sidney Marder, Trustee – Marder, of Springfield, has been an active member in his local community and a longtime environmental advocate. He previously served as the State of Illinois, Director of the Division of Energy, a member of the Illinois Pollution Control Board and owner and partner in Marder & Associates, an environmental consulting firm.
Janice Reedus, Trustee – Reedus is the Vice President of Administration and Finance at Fenwick High School and previously served as the Senior Vice President of Bank of America. A graduate of the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management, she has managed budgets over $20 million and, in partnership with investment advisors, an $18 million investment portfolio.
Sonia Walwyn, Trustee – Walwyn is the Vice President of the Midwest Region for Keane Organization, Inc. She previously served as Senior Manager, State & Local Tax Practice Leader at KPMG, LLP., Director of Tax and Legal Services at Pricewaterhousecoopers, LLP. and Deputy General Counsel for the Treasury Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of the Villanova School of Law.
The new members of the Board of Investment include:
John Casey, Trustee – Casey is the former Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs, an organization that represents over 14,000 local YMCAs in 124 countries with 45 million members. He previously served as the President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for 10 years. He received a Masters in Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago.
Fred Montgomery, Trustee – Montgomery is the Director of State and Local Tax for the Sara Lee Corporation. Previously, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in Illinois and attorney at the Illinois Department of Revenue. Montgomery is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois and the Civic Federation of Chicago. He received a Masters in Social Sciences from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University School of Law.
Michele Bush, Trustee – Bush has served on a number of organizations and boards including Advocate Health Care and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church, which administers one of the largest pension funds in Illinois. She has received a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University Law School and a Master of Laws in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Heather Parish, Trustee – Parish is a community development consultant in Chicago. Previously she served as a public finance investment banker and fiscal/policy analyst for the State of California, specializing in personal income and bank and corporate tax legislation. Parish is a member of the Wieboldt Foundation board and received a Master’s in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Ronald Powell, Trustee – Powell is a current trustee of the Illinois State Board of Investment. Powell is the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 881 President and International Vice President. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago and a trustee of the UFCW Midwest Pension Fund.
For more information on Illinois Boards and Commissions, please visit Appointments.Illinois.gov.
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Gov Quinn, Sen Durbin, & Mayor Daley Seek Midwest Gov's Summit on High-Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor
Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago – the Midwest rail system’s hub – this summer. Today’s announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois’s bid for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
IL Dept of Public Health Says H1N1 (Swine Flu) Still a Threat
June 3, 2009
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 1,268 cases of H1N1 influenza in Illinois and four people diagnosed with the virus, all with underlying medical conditions, have died.
“We must continue to take precautions to avoid getting sick – such as washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home if you’re sick,” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health Director. “The H1N1 influenza virus continues to circulate in Illinois, in the U.S. and throughout the world, and everyone, but especially those with underlying medical conditions, needs to take steps to avoid getting the flu.”
Like seasonal influenza, some people may be at greater risk of serious complications related to novel H1N1 infection and illness. People who are at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5-year- old, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65-years and older. Examples of chronic medical conditions include diabetes, asthma, heart disease and lung disease.
Two of the Illinois H1N1 influenza related deaths were Chicago residents, one a suburban Cook County resident and the fourth a Kane County resident. For confidentiality reasons and out of respect for the families, the Illinois Department of Public Health is not releasing any additional information about the four deaths.
Dr. Arnold said the Department will continue to monitor the state for signs of increased virulence of H1N1 flu.
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Durbin to Discuss Illinois High Speed Rail with Governor Quinn in Washington
From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will meet with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn TOMORROW, June 3 at 9:45 AM ET to discuss efforts to bring high speed rail to Illinois. Durbin and Quinn have been working together with other lawmakers to help Illinois compete for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Later tomorrow, Quinn will meet with Vice President Joe Biden and a handful of other governors to discuss nationwide high speed rail efforts.
In April, Durbin met with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Tom Carper, and state leaders to discuss Illinois’ commitment to fighting for and winning the federal dollars needed to make high-speed rail in Illinois a reality. They pointed to the Chicago to St. Louis line as the state’s premier route and top priority. Durbin, Quinn and the others also discussed efforts to extend new passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will meet with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn TOMORROW, June 3 at 9:45 AM ET to discuss efforts to bring high speed rail to Illinois. Durbin and Quinn have been working together with other lawmakers to help Illinois compete for the $8 billion available in funding for high speed rail through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Later tomorrow, Quinn will meet with Vice President Joe Biden and a handful of other governors to discuss nationwide high speed rail efforts.
In April, Durbin met with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Tom Carper, and state leaders to discuss Illinois’ commitment to fighting for and winning the federal dollars needed to make high-speed rail in Illinois a reality. They pointed to the Chicago to St. Louis line as the state’s premier route and top priority. Durbin, Quinn and the others also discussed efforts to extend new passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities.
Manzullo's Vehicle Voucher Bill Would Strengthen U.S. Auto Industry, End Need for Taxpayer Funding
From the Office of Congressman Don Manzullo
As President Obama announced yet another $30 billion in taxpayer funds for GM on Monday, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) reiterated the best way to re-start manufacturing and end government intervention in the auto industry is to give Americans incentives to buy cars and trucks again.
Manzullo introduced legislation earlier this year to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, stimulating auto sales and manufacturing, re-starting the supply chains, and putting millions of Americans back to work. The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (HR 1606) would provide a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle through the end of 2009. It would provide vouchers for 15 million new vehicles.
Every one million in new vehicle sales has the following impact on the economy:
As President Obama announced yet another $30 billion in taxpayer funds for GM on Monday, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) reiterated the best way to re-start manufacturing and end government intervention in the auto industry is to give Americans incentives to buy cars and trucks again.
Manzullo introduced legislation earlier this year to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, stimulating auto sales and manufacturing, re-starting the supply chains, and putting millions of Americans back to work. The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (HR 1606) would provide a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle through the end of 2009. It would provide vouchers for 15 million new vehicles.
Every one million in new vehicle sales has the following impact on the economy:
- Creates 60,000 jobs (10,000 at vehicle assembly plants; 50,000 at suppliers, auto dealers, and other businesses).
- Provides $750 million in tax revenue to the federal government.
- Provides $1.4 billion in sales tax revenue to states.
- Saves federal government $1.4 billion in unemployment payments and food stamps.
“My bill will give Americans the incentives and the confidence they need to start buying vehicles again, which will bolster automobile manufacturing and sales, put millions of Americans back to work, and restore the tax revenues our state and local governments need to continue providing services to the people,” Manzullo said. “Unfortunately, Congress and the Administration have ignored my job-creating approach in favor of further government intrusion into the auto industry that has placed tens of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk. That intrusion included the forced closure of Chrysler and GM dealerships that will put 150,000 more Americans on the unemployment lines. And today, GM has become Government Motors as the federal government now owns 60 percent of the company thanks to the latest taxpayer contribution.
“Enough is enough. It’s time for the government to get out of the auto manufacturing business and instead support incentives that will help the U.S. auto industry right itself.”
The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2008 to a projected 9 million in 2009 has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
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