VILLA PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, has been named the chairwoman of the Illinois House of Representative’s House Mental Health Committee.

“Mental health has become a critical national issue and touches everyone’s life in some way,” Conroy said. “I am thankful to have the opportunity to be a leader on this issue in Springfield and to work to progress statewide solutions that will help our community and all of Illinois.”

Conroy will serve as the vice chairwoman of the Committees on Construction Industry and Code Enforcement and Government Consolidation and Modernization. She will also serve as a member of the Secondary and Elementary Education: School Curriculum and Policies, Higher Education, and Police and First Responders Committees.

Continuing her efforts to raise awareness of mental health and work with the community to brainstorm new ways to improve mental health treatment and services, Conroy invites residents to share their thoughts and ideas at her Mental Health Community Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at her full-time constituent services office located at 28 S. Villa Ave. in Villa Park.

“For four years I have had a mental health advisory committee in my district,” Conroy said. “I have learned that everyone is touched by mental health issues in some way. This committee inspired me to raise the conversation to the state level and to do the difficult work to bring real change in Illinois. I invite anyone in our community interested in improving mental health care to join this advisory committee.”

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to improve Illinois colleges and universities, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, was recently appointed chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education.

“Our colleges, universities and their students are facing challenges like never before,” Welch said. “I’m honored to lead this committee and be a part of the process that will oversee important legislation to increase access to higher education and make it affordable. We must protect institutions and put polices in place that help our state grow economically and foster tomorrow’s leaders.”

Welch previously served as vice-chairman of the Higher Education Committee before being named chairman this year. Welch will also serve on the House Appropriations Committees for Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education. He will also serve on House Committees on Cities & Villages, Judiciary – Civil and Labor & Commerce.

“While all of the bills that will come through committees are important, we need to continue to focus on developing a long-term budget for the state that protects vital social services, public safety, schools and universities,” Welch said. “We need a new approach to funding Illinois schools at all levels. During the time without a state budget, students and families are looking at colleges outside Illinois due to the rising cost, and that’s not the message we want to keep sending. I am ready to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make college more affordable and accessible in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the new legislative session picks up in Springfield, state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, announced that she is the newly appointed chair of the House Committee on Fire and Emergency services.

“As the wife of a retired firefighter, I am honored and humbled to be named the new chairperson of the Illinois House Committee on Fire and Emergency services,” said Willis. “This committee presents an important opportunity to pass legislation and focus on issues that will not only protect firefighters and emergency personnel, but also the communities they serve.”

The Fire and Emergency Services Committee is a newly created body that will focus on debating and reviewing legislation related to the management, safety, and regulations of emergency services throughout the state of Illinois.  During a period when state and local finances are stretched thin, many local governments seek to cut costs by changing requirements for local emergency services. Willis, who is also a member of the Fire Services Caucus, stated that she believes the committee needs to be mindful of the financial realities facing many communities without sacrificing the safety and security of individuals who serve in the emergency services.

“Our communities need to know there are people on call when emergency strikes,” said Willis.  “I want to fight to make sure all communities have this certainty by working to give emergency services the resources they need to get the job done.”

Willis is serving her third term in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative of the 77th District, which includes O’Hare Airport and portions of Addison, Bellwood, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and Wood Dale.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, will continue to prioritize the needs of first responders as the newly appointed chairperson of the House Police & First Responders Committee, stand up for the needs of local priorities on a key budget committee, and work to eliminate wasteful spending on a new committee aimed to consolidate and modernize local units of government.

“I represent many hardworking first responders throughout my district, and now more than ever, their voices and their concerns need to be heard in Springfield. It is a distinct honor to represent those who are on the frontlines every day to keep our families safe,” said Hurley. “I look forward for the opportunity to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft policies that better protect the police and fire fighters who protect us.”

As chair of Police & First Responders committee, and vice chair of the Fire & Emergency Services Committee, Hurley will oversee legislation regarding law enforcement and emergency personnel that is introduced in the General Assembly. At a time when first responders face even greater risks in the line of duty, Hurley will work to make the voices of those that protect Illinois families heard.

Hurley will also serve on the Appropriations: General Services Committee where she will push to analyze state spending line-by-line, reduce the cost of state government and make sure local priorities are protected in the process. As a member of the Business Incentives for Local Communities Committee, Hurley will help guide discussion on legislation that aims to incentivize businesses to do business in Illinois.

With an understanding of the expense and redundancy of multiple layers of government, Hurley has also joined the newly formed Government Consolidation & Modernization Committee, where she will work toward consolidation of duplicative units of government, making it cheaper and more efficient. Hurley will also serve as the vice chair of Special Needs Services Committee, and will be a member of the Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee.

“I am hopeful that my committee assignments this year will give me the full range to be an active voice for those in my district, and I look forward to the productive conversations that will be forthcoming,” said Hurley. “Between the budget and protecting all first responders and those with special needs, my committee assignments reflect my priorities, and am ready to get to work.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is asking constituents for their ideas for new bill proposals for the new General Assembly.

“Making government more accessible is a top priority of mine,” said Welch. “We have the opportunity to work together to improve our community, and a great place to start is brainstorming concepts for new laws. Even if it is something that might seem small, such as putting a stop-sign in at an intersection, a lot of people might benefit. I go to Springfield to be your voice, so if you want the law changed, tell me.”

Submission of new bill proposals is one additional avenue that constituents can feel heard and address issues that are most concerning to them. w ideas for laws are welcomed and encouraged from residents throughout the district, and can be submitted to Welch’s office at either 708-450-1000 or repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com.

“I look forward to reviewing the new proposals from residents as they come to my office,” said Welch. “I always appreciate constituent feedback and involvement in the democratic process. I hope that anyone with a great idea comes forward and talks to me.”

Welch represents the 7th District which includes all or portion of Bellwood, Berkeley, Bellwood, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, La Grange Park, Maywood, River Forest and Westchester.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, issued the following statement on Wednesday following the inauguration ceremony for the 100th General Assembly:

“For far too long Illinois has gone without a state budget which has negatively impacted all Illinois residents, especially the most vulnerable who rely on state services to protect their quality of life.

“As a new General Assembly convenes, it is my sincere hope that we can put aside our differences in order to pass a fair and responsible budget as soon as possible. I urge Gov. Rauner to reconvene budget working groups and to return to the negotiation table to pass a budget.

“There remains a lot of work to do to improve the financial condition of Illinois. To that end, I will continue to work to pass a fair tax, which would restructure Illinois’ tax code from a flat tax into a progressive one, allowing the state to bring in additional revenue in order to pay old bills and vendors who provide critical services. However, I will reject any budget proposal that harms working class families, schools, veterans and the elderly, and public safety.

“My top priority as state Representative continues to be putting the needs and concerns of our community first and to fight in Springfield to ensure that local residents have access to the resources they need. I encourage local residents to contact my office if they need assistance with state programs or would like to provide feedback on legislative proposals.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As he begins a new term in office, state Rep. Jay Hoffman outlined his legislative priorities by emphasizing the need for legislators from both parties to work together to find solutions to the problems facing the state of Illinois, especially the budget impasse.

“The state budget should not be a political football that can be used in order to gain political power,” Hoffman said. “As elected officials, there are consequences for our actions, and for every day we continue without a balanced budget more damage is done to people and businesses in this state.”

Governor Bruce Rauner has not signed a full state budget into law since taking office two years ago, despite the passage of several budgets out of the legislature. In that time state colleges and universities, social service providers, healthcare providers and other organizations who depend on payments from the state have operated under the uncertain conditions of not knowing when or if they will be paid. Meanwhile, Rauner has allowed the state’s backlog of unpaid bills to grow from $4.5 billion to $13.5 billion which has done severe damage to the state’s credit rating, driving residents and businesses out of the state.

The budget impasse has eliminated childcare assistance funding for more than 70,000 children. It has also forced state colleges and universities to lay off more than 1,000 employees and cut programs, thus damaging local communities and diminishing the quality of education provided to students. Healthcare providers who administer breast-cancer screening programs, necessary care for the elderly and other essential services are also being forced to reduce or eliminate the services they provide.

“Working families and small businesses are two of the groups most negatively impacted by this impasse despite being two of the groups who depend most of the stability and support that the state can provide,” Hoffman said. “In order to do right by Illinois families and businesses we must come together and pass a responsible budget.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, took her oath of office on Wednesday in Springfield to begin the House of Representatives’ new legislative session, she released the following statement:

“I am humbled and grateful that the people of our district have entrusted me to continue being a voice on their behalf in Springfield. It is an honor and privilege to continue to be allowed this great opportunity. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle in order to bring fiscal responsibility to our state and bring jobs to the state of Illinois.

The challenges Illinois faces require full-time attention, and they require us to work together to bring new ideas to the table. It is my goal to remain open and accessible to all of my residents so I can return to Springfield and with the needs and concerns of my district in mind. I again pledge to those I represent that I will continue to work in their best interest and welcome any new ideas in order to better voice their concerns. While I work for our community in Springfield, I want my constituents to know that my office is always available to help those having trouble navigating our state government or residents who have questions about local or state issues. I am committed to ensuring the residents and their families receive the resources and support they deserve.

As our local, state, and federal government changes over the next couple of weeks there are many uncertainties. We need to work together as a united front against any practices which affect our communities and make our voices heard. I was elected to represent our community and to keep our state moving in the right direction, and I will do everything I can to work for a better tomorrow. There is still a lot of work to be done, and I look forward to working with the people I represent to help get Illinois back on track.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, issued the following statement after she was sworn in for the 100th General Assembly on Wednesday:

“I am excited to have the opportunity to continue serving the people of the 6th District in the Illinois General Assembly. It is a distinct honor that always leaves me humbled and grateful.

“My first term in office was unprecedented. We have now gone 18 months without a full budget. As a member who represents the some of the most poverty-stricken regions of the state, I am eager to see this time come to an end. Social services are crumbling, universities are going broke and businesses and families are moving out of Illinois in droves. This is not sustainable, and frankly, not acceptable. I’m urging the governor to return to the negotiating table in good-faith, and I am calling on both sides of the aisle to put petty politics aside to do the right thing for the people of Illinois.

“Throughout this General Assembly I plan on remaining open and accessible to the people of the 6th District. As always, I have an open-door policy to anyone that has any issues or concerns about our district or the State of Illinois. I look forward to tackling issues as they come forward, and being the best advocate for my district as I can.”

Sonya Harper represents the 6th District which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, McKinley Park, New City and West Englewood in the city of Chicago.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – First-term state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, took the oath of office on Wednesday, citing job creation, school funding and fiscal responsibility as issues that are on the top of her legislative agenda.

“The families in my district do not have the ability to ignore their bills and run their homes on an unbalanced budget. The state should not be any different,” Stuart said. “The status quo in Springfield isn’t working. I believe that if lawmakers don’t do their job, they shouldn’t be paid. I’m rejecting my own pay until a budget is in place, and will fight the politicians and special interests to protect our families.”

Stuart is a former high school and college math teacher, most recently teaching at SIUE. Now a full-time legislator, Stuart is rejecting her paycheck until a budget is in place and has declined enrollment in the legislative pension system because she believes that lawmakers should lead by example during the budget impasse.

Stuart emphasizes the role of public service in her position as state Representative. She plans to regularly walk door-to-door, hold office hours, visit local businesses, host citizen advisory committees and organize a variety of other events in order to remain accessible to the residents of the 112th District.

“The job of a state representative is to serve the residents of their district, not to line their own pockets,” Stuart said. “When I am not in Springfield fighting for fair school funding, job creation initiatives and fiscal responsibility, I’ll be out in the community, going door-to-door, hosting citizen advisory committee meetings, bringing state services and resources to every corner of my district, and meeting with residents and business owners.”

The 112th District includes all or parts of Collinsville, Edwardsville, Caseyville, Granite City, Glen Carbon, Maryville, O’Fallon and Fairview Heights.