School Supply Drive

Thursday July, 2010 4:29 pm | Uncategorized

Adopt a Student School Supply Drive!

State Senator Heather Steans, State Representative Harry Osterman, and Alderman Mary Ann Smith are partnering once again to collect school supplies for low-income children in the neighborhood.  The third annual “Adopt-a-student” is a partnership with Care for Real -  Edgewater’s food and clothing pantry, and other local non-profits to provide school supplies for children in Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Uptown.

Students need a wide variety of supplies, which differs at each school.  Donors will sign up to “adopt” a student and will receive the student’s grade, age, gender, and the school supply list for that particular student.  The bags, on average cost $75, but less expensive lists are available as well.  The drive ends on August 19.

To participate or for more information, e-mail jen@heathersteans.com or call 773-769-1717.

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2010 Legislation

Friday May, 2010 11:35 am | Environment, Legislation


Dear Neighbor,
 
In previous emails I provided an overview of the Care of Students with Diabetes Act and Nursing Home Reform legislation that I led in the Senate.  This update provides an overview of some of the other significant bills that were passed by the legislature and other bills that I spearheaded and got passed.

Significant bills:
 
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (or McPier, SB28).  This bill creates new Trustee oversight authority and names Jim Reilly as the Trustee.  The Trustee has the authority to enter into a private management contract to run McCormick Place, enter into a marketing agreement with the Chicago Conventions and Tourism Bureau, recommend whether or not to separate Navy Pier from McCormick Place, and enforce exhibitor rights.  A new 7-member interim board is also appointed for 18 months (3 members by Mayor, 3 by Governor, and 1 member selected by the 6 to serve as chair) and has the power to veto any action of the Trustee with a 5/7 vote.  A 9-member Board is appointed after 18 months and must hire a CEO.  The bill also establishes exhibitor rights to address concerns about costs and increases fees on taxi rides from airports to provide an operating subsidy.  The bill also permits McPier to enter into a licensing agreement for naming rights of buildings and facilities.  Click here to read the bill.

Telecommunications Deregulation (SB107).  Under this legislation, telephone carriers can opt to become “electing providers” and become subject to a new, lower form of regulation.  Telephone companies should have savings that can be invested in broadband and other technologies and create additional jobs.  The bill protects consumers by establishing “safe harbor” packages for low use customers and freezing their rates. Click here to read the bill.

Legislation that I introduced includes:
 
Mercury Thermostat Collection (SB3346)
Many thermostats contain mercury, a neurotoxin which poses an environmental and health threat if released into the environment.  This bill creates a collection program for out-of-service mercury thermostats. This program would require manufacturers to meet yearly goals for recycling thermostats containing mercury.  Click here to read the bill.

Craft Distillery License (SB3348) – This bill revises Illinois liquor licensing rules to allow small craft distillers such as Koval, a small business in Lincoln Square, to sell their spirits directly to the public in an on-site retail store.  This will allow craft distillers to offer tours, samples, and sales of their product on-site, increasing local tourism and promoting a locally made product.  Click here to read the bill.

ID Cards with Non-Existent Addresses (SB3169) – I worked with the North Side Community Justice Center, a community-based prosecution section of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office to pass this bill.  Gang members in the area had been using false paperwork to get ID cards with non-existent addresses on it (not just the wrong address, an address that did not exist). This bill prohibits holding a state-issued ID card with a non-existent address on it.  Click here to read the bill.
 
Pedestrian Safety (HB43) - This bill would require that drivers stop for pedestrians crossing unregulated crosswalks.  Current law only requires a vehicle to yield.  This standard is confusing and makes it difficult for law enforcement to penalize those that endanger pedestrians.  Click here to read the bill.

Bed Bug Task Force (HB6439) - This bill creates a statewide task force to address the spread of bed bugs in Illinois. Many units in our community have been infected by bed bugs, which are very difficult to eradicate.  This task force will look at what strategies and procedures the state should put in place to address the spread of bed bugs.  Click here to read the bill.

 
Please let me know if you have questions about any other legislation.  Two of the bills above came directly from a problems people in the district identified and we have been able to address them with these bill.  I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Best,

Heather A. Steans
State Senator

2011 Budget Update

Monday May, 2010 11:33 am | Budget

Dear Neighbor,
 
The Legislature left Springfield last week without passing a budget.  While I continue to argue for comprehensive solutions to our budget problems rather than half measures that delay and increase our budget crisis, I worry we will ultimately enact an irresponsible budget.  Below, I provide an overview of what happened in the Senate last week, what happened in the House, and my thoughts about reforms we must demand.
 
Senate
 
The Senate passed a series of budget bills.  With small majorities, the Senate reduced overall funding levels by 1.3% ($357.5 million), enabled the Governor to defer pension payments, and provided the Governor with Emergency Budget Authority to unilaterally make changes to the budget.
 
 I voted no on these measures for 3 core reasons.  First, the appropriations bill starves critical education and health services since we do not have the revenues to support the appropriation levels.  Second, delaying pension payments creates a massive unaddressed budget deficit; we are only kicking the problem down the road and increasing our future problem.  Finally, giving the Governor “emergency” budget authority and providing “lump sum” budgets rather than budgets for individual programs abdicates our Constitutional responsibility to democratically appropriate State spending.    Because the legislature does not want to make cuts, we are giving the Governor total authority to do so.
 
House
 
The House did not pass any budget related bills.  There was not support to borrow for the pension system payments (this requires a super majority vote to pass), make cuts equal to the pension fund payments that are due (about $3.7 billion), defer the pension payment, or increase revenues.  As a result, the Legislature will need to return to Springfield to pass a budget.  The one small hope in the inaction by the House is that there could be growing pressure for real reform.
 
Summary 
 
I do not (and will not) support a budget that is not credible and balanced.  In the budget to date the appropriation levels are not supported by sufficient revenues to fund them.  We would have to borrow dollars to meet the spending levels and/or defer payments to the pension systems.  I believe we must be taking steps now to address our budget deficit, not borrow and continue to increase our debt and delay (and grow) our problem.
 
Currently we have over $5 billion in unpaid bills and over $130 billion in unfunded liabilities.  These extreme circumstances demand that we reduce expenditures significantly and raise revenues.  Further, we must reform our budget process to ensure dollars are spent on critical priorities and that we enact fiscally responsible budgets going forward.  I will continue to push for these changes but fear difficult decisions may wait until after the election in November.  I welcome any thoughts or suggestions and encourage you to communicate with other legislators as well.  You can contact me at hsteans@senatedem.ilga.gov or 773-769-1717.
 
Best,
 
Heather A. Steans
State Senator
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