It has been terrific to spend the last two weeks in the District rather than in Springfield.  I have been meeting with numerous groups, organizations, and individuals, and I welcome all opportunities to do so.  Please let me know if you have a block club meeting, chamber event, or any other organizational meeting that you would like me to attend, and I will if at all possible.  I appreciate the chance to hear about your concerns and what residents believe Springfield needs to be doing.

In my absence, you may schedule time with me or speak with my Chief of Staff, Jen Walling, about any issues.  Jen is an attorney who was working with the Environmental Law and Policy Center before joining my staff.  Jen is extremely high energy, bright and courteous, and truly loves to solve constituent problems.   Our public service office is located at 5533 N. Broadway (located with Alderman Mary Ann Smith and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky).  Between Jen and our interns (see below), the office is generally staffed from 9AM – 5PM, Monday through Friday except on state holidays.  We recommend calling (773) 769-1717 to assure that someone is available to meet with you.

Legislative Update 

As you may be following, the State continues to face very serious fiscal concerns.  It is estimated that Illinois has a $750 million shortfall this fiscal year, with a much more significant gap that needs to be filled in the next budget year.  I attended a House of Representative sponsored budget hearing last week chaired by Representative Greg Harris, and heard numerous concerns with the budget as proposed.  Some of the needs we heard about include:

• Capital dollars for mass transit;
• Unfunded pension liability over $44 billion;
• Bias in state funding that benefits institutions over community based providers;
• Early detection and treatment for kids with hearing disorders and autism;
• Senior adult day centers ;
• Affordable housing and services for homeless youth;
• Improved Medicaid reimbursement rates and shortened delays in Medicaid payments;
• Preschool, children’s mental health and publicschool funding;
• Reduced business taxes so small and medium businesses can grow and add jobs;
• Restoration of cuts made to the Illinois Arts Council for arts and cultural programs;
• Immigrant and refugee services; and
• Low wages for social service providers that have not kept pace with inflation.

As indicated below, I am a sponsor of SB2288 that will provide additional revenues to address some of these problems if passed.  I believe the State has much room to improve the manner in which is controls its expenses and manages its revenues, but given our $44 billion unfunded pension liability coupled with many critical needs I do not believe the State can solve its financial problems without additional revenues.  I anticipate that it will be another difficult session as the leadership has not changed and the budget problems we face remain extremely challenging.

SB2472 – “Alcopop” Energy Drinks labeling

I am the chief co-sponsor of a bill that would require energy drinks containing alcohol to be labeled more prominently with their alcohol content and prohibit marketing of these drinks to children. 

Being a mom with three kids, including a teenager, has highlighted the importance of this issue for me.  Market research has indicated that nearly a third of youth ages 12 to 17 drink energy drinks.  In addition, these beverages are advertised using cyberspace tools, including MySpace and Facebook, meaning that these drinks are more appealing to young people.

On Monday, March 24, Senator Jacqueline Collins and I held a press conference with several public health advocates on this bill and on SB2825  - prohibiting the sale of flavored cigarettes – to discuss the dangers that flavored cigarettes and “alcopop” energy drinks pose among Illinois youth.

Read more about this bill in the Chicago Daily Herald.

 SB2288 – Tax swap for Education Funding

I am a co-sponsor of SB2288.  By Constitution, Illinois should be the primary funder of education in the State.  Historically this has meant the state pays for at least 50% of education costs.  The state’s share has eroded to only about a third, however, and thus local school districts keep increasing property taxes to fund education.  An over reliance on property taxes also leads to highly unequal education funding across the State — from $17,000 per pupil in some districts to $4,600 per pupil elsewhere.  It is not right that the quality of child’s education is based on his or her address.  Reforming education funding is thus a primary reason I support SB2288.

This bill will also provide new, permanent sources of revenue for pensions and capital projects.  The state has over $44 billion in unfunded pension liability, which is untenable.  In addition, we have crumbling roads and mass transit systems that are in dire need of capital infusion.  While I believe the State must also improve the manner in which it manages its expenses and revenues, and agree that new revenues are needed to address our serious challenges.

HB 4455 – Youth Homelessness bill

I am the senate sponsor of this bill, championed by Rep. Greg Harris in the House of Representatives, which will appropriate funding for the purpose of providing shelter and transitional housing.  This bill appropriates funds for the purpose of providing shelter and transitional housing and employment assistance for homeless youth.

SB2313 – E-Waste Recycling Act

I am a co-sponsor of the electronic waste recycling act.  This act requires manufacturers of electronic items to fund recycling of electronic products.   This bill will create drop-off and recycling centers for electronic waste all over the state and create a large number of jobs.  SB2313 has passed through the Energy and Environment Committee and is on its way to a vote on the senate floor.

SB2436 – Civil Unions

I am a chief co-sponsor of this bill that gives same sex couples the right to enter into civil unions with the same protections afforded to married couples.  The House companion bill (HB1826) was introduced first and passed out of committee.

HB1/HB824 – Pay to Play Ethics Reform

These bills would prohibit pay-to-play politics in Illinois.  HB1 has passed the House and 47 of the 59 State Senators have signed onto it.  It has not moved out of the Rules Committee in the Senate, however.  I am working with other State Senators to amend HB824 (amendment 3) as the current bill to end pay to play politics.  It has some changes from HB1 that we hope will enable it to get passed.

Click here to view more of the bills that I am sponsoring. 

Brian LaVaque and Jessica Holland
Intern and volunteer profiles

Our service office has been delighted to work with these talented interns!

Jessica Holland is a junior in social work at Loyola University Chicago.  She is an active volunteer for the Anixter Center in Chicago and also has spent her summers touring with a non-profit blue grass band that plays music for homeless shelters and other social service agencies.  Jessica spends her time in the office helping with our constituent services.

Brian LaVaque is a junior at Concordia University.  Brian is interested in the environment and is president of Concordia Cougars Conserve at Concordia University.  Brian spends his time in the office researching environmental issues.

If you would like to intern or volunteer, please e-mail Jen Walling at jen@heathersteans.com.  Our office is currently looking for talented high school and college students to work as unpaid part time and full time summer interns. 

Events and Announcements

North Lake Shore Earth Day Event

I will be speaking about state legislature and the environment at the North Lake Shore Earth Day Event in the Life Sciences Building at Loyola University on Saturday, April 12 at 2:40 PM.  Visit www.luc.edu/earthday for more information on this full day event.

Seniors Ride Free

Seniors age 65 and older can ride for free on CTA, metra, and PACE public transportation starting March 17, 2008.  To obtain a senior reduced fare card, please visit www.rtachicago.com/seniorsridefree/

City of Chicago Environmental Resource Event

On Saturday, April 19 from 8am to 3pm at Devry University, 3300 N. Campbell, the City of Chicago Department of Environment will host a drop off for

• household chemicals and paint, computers,
• cell phones, fax machines, scanners, and keyboards
• old or unused prescription & non-prescription medications
• old gas can and/or gas-powered lawn mower

Call the Department of Environment at 312 744-7606 for more information.