BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – Following through on her commitment to promote fiscal responsibility, state Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, opted out of the legislative pension system as one of her first official acts in office.

“Our state faces many fiscal challenges, which is why I made a commitment to fight for good government reform and work to reduce wasteful spending,” Pappas said. “Rejecting the legislative pension is one small step I’m taking to follow through on that promise and I look forward to supporting policies in the future that will improve Illinois’ fiscal health.”

As one of her fist official acts as state Representative, Pappas turned down the taxpayer-funded legislative pension benefit offered to all members of the General Assembly. Pappas supports eliminating the legislative pension system and will be working on legislation to reduce other taxpayer-funded perks for lawmakers.

“I came into this position to serve my constituents and to make a difference in our state, not to pad my own pockets,” Pappas said. “As a full-time legislator, I’m ready to get to work and do my part to cut wasteful spending, reduce the state’s debt and pass a balanced budget.”

For more information, please contact Pappas’ full-time constituent service office at 224-520-8838 or repdpappas@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to increase fiscal transparency in the governor’s office and state government, state Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, is calling on Gov. Rauner to sign the Truth in Hiring Act into law.

“When we talk about cutting waste and reducing unnecessary spending, that should apply to the governor’s office too,” Walsh said. “Under current law, the governor can hide political appointees on the public payroll by paying them through a different state agency. This practice not only masks the true size of the governor’s budget but also diverts money from being used to help Illinois residents.”

Walsh’s House Bill 5121 would prevent the current and future governors from “offshoring” salaries for governor’s office employees in budgets of other state agencies. Currently, 44 staffers are paid from Gov. Rauner’s office budget and an additional 58 staffers working for the governor are paid from the payrolls of human services agencies. According to Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office, last year $5 million in payroll was spent by other government agencies for the governor’s staff.

“If we are serious about getting Illinois back on sound financial footing, we deserve to know how much any governor’s office is really spending,” Walsh said. “This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it’s about bringing fiscal accountability to our state.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Looking to save taxpayer dollars and continue efforts at compromise, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently helped to pass a measure to allow for the consolidation of local governments.

“Illinois has over 7,000 taxing bodies across the state,” Manley said. “Many of these local units of government serve the same residents and perform very similar functions. By making it easier to consolidate, we can help ensure that tax revenue is not being wasted and reduce the tax burden on homeowners.”

Manley supported House Bill 171, which was negotiated between Democrats and Republicans, to address the governor’s demands before approving a budget. Under this legislation, the township boards of adjacent townships could authorize, via resolution, a voter referendum to consolidate adjacent townships into a single township; or dissolve a township and absorb it into two adjacent townships with which it shares a border. Additionally, the proposal allows a township board to abolish, via resolution, its road district if the roads total less than 15 miles in length and a voter referendum approves of the road district’s dissolution.

“The passage of this legislation shows that Democrats were willing and continue to be willing to work with the governor on non-budgetary items he considers important,” Manley said. “This proposal combines many of the ideas from the Senate’s grand bargain, Republican legislation and initiatives from Democrats in the House. Even with a budget now in place, we must continue to work together on issues that will be beneficial to the state and its residents.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, issued the following statement Wednesday after being sworn in for a new term in the Illinois House of Representatives:

“I am honored and humbled to continue representing my neighbors in the 56th District in Springfield. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle listen to their constituents and negotiate in good faith to end the ongoing budget impasse.

“Like the people I meet walking door-to-door and at community events, I am frustrated by the gridlock in Springfield and stand ready to work with my colleagues and the governor to pass a responsible budget that protects funding for vital state services and our most vulnerable residents. I urge the governor to return to the negotiating table and restart bipartisan working groups, which have found success in coming to previous budget compromises. Without a budget, colleges and universities are in danger of canceling programs, laying off more employees, and in some cases even closing. Thousands of seniors who rely on the Community Care Program would be forced out of their homes into nursing homes – costing taxpayers three times more money – and elementary and high schools once again risk not opening in the fall. We cannot let this happen.                                                                                                          

“I will continue to demand that the state spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently and live within its means, like every family must do. We must constantly look for ways to streamline the delivery of state services, ensure that they are cost effective and efficient, and cut wasteful spending.

“Average Illinoisans are taxed enough, including paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and taxpayers and homeowners need relief. Over the last two years, I voted numerous times to freeze property taxes, and I will continue to fight to cap rising property taxes, especially when home values fall. In addition, I oppose all efforts to raise taxes on middle-class families and small businesses. Illinois needs change but higher taxes on families who are already struggling is not the right answer.

“In the upcoming legislative session, I will continue to strongly support fully funding education and will oppose and speak out against any proposals to unfairly slash funding for locals schools. Taking millions of dollars out of local classrooms only does a disservice to students, parents, and teachers.

“As I continue to connect with the residents I represent, I know their calls for fiscal responsibility, strengthening our schools, and compromise is one that the politicians need to hear in Springfield. I also look forward to directly engaging with residents through citizen advisory committee meetings, walking door-to-door, and community events.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, issued the following statement after being sworn into the 100^th General Assembly on Wednesday:

“Today marks a new opportunity to address the challenges facing Illinois. Over the past two years, the most vulnerable members of our state have struggled. Resources they rely on have been threatened due to Gov. Rauner’s refusal to compromise.

“I am disappointed in Gov. Rauner’s recent decision to end bipartisan budget working groups. These working groups have previously helped us negotiate seven spending plans. These plans meant our schools, first responders, and critical care providers received the funding they needed to do their jobs. I am urging the governor and members across the aisle to join me in restarting these budget working groups.

“We can work together to pass a fair and responsible budget that preserves essential services, fully funds education, and puts hardworking families first. We can address this budget crisis immediately and create a stronger Illinois.”

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.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, issued the following statement after pledging to continue to serve her community as state representative during Wednesday’s inauguration of the 100th Illinois General Assembly:

“I remain focused on working with both sides to find solutions to the many problems facing Illinois. Passing a fair and responsible budget that meets the needs of our state must be the top priority of Gov. Rauner and the Legislature. Allowing the ongoing budget stalemate to continue will jeopardize the services our seniors, veterans, and most vulnerable residents rely on to survive.

“Gov. Rauner’s refusal to participate in open and transparent budget negotiations is a disappointment. With many of our state’s social service agencies on the brink of collapse, we must act now to prevent irreparable damage. I urge the governor to work with my fellow legislators to enact a balanced and responsible budget. Continuing this gridlock will result in thousands of seniors losing the care they need to live independently, force students out of college before they can obtain a degree, and leave victims of domestic violence without the care they need to escape their abusers.

“I believe budget negotiations should be focused on the issues most affecting residents, with the most prominent being true education funding reform to reduce the reliance on property taxes. I agree with the governor to give homeowners much needed relief.

“I look forward to meeting many residents of you over the next two years at my weekly coffee chats, monthly events, and when I walk door to door. The stories, issues and concerns I hear shape my views as state representative, and I look forward to continuing to bring our area’s voice to Springfield.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, issued the following statement after Wednesday’s inauguration of the 100th Illinois General Assembly:

“Over the past year, I have heard from thousands of residents who believe our state needs to pass a responsible budget, protect essential services and ensure that well-paying jobs are not shipped out of Illinois or overseas. They want lawmakers to put aside partisan rhetoric and work in the spirit of compromise to craft responsible solutions to the challenges we face.

“Our state’s budget crisis has needlessly hurt seniors, individuals in need of care, job training programs for the unemployed and underemployed, and students pursuing an education. We must address these concerns immediately, and it is my first priority in Springfield to work to pass legislation that ends the reckless uncertainty we have seen in recent years.

“I also view today as the start of an opportunity to not only solve the problems we face, but to proactively work toward building a stronger economy, safer neighborhoods and a better Illinois . Throughout the next two years, I will continue to walk door-to-door, host community meetings, like job fairs and resume writing workshops, and actively engage Quad City residents who deserve to have their voices heard.

“Their thoughts and ideas will shape the decisions I make, as well as the legislation I introduce. We have a lot of work to do, but I am excited about the potential results we can and should achieve by working together.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at rephalpin@gmail.com or at 815-661-0389.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, issued the following statement Wednesday after being sworn in to a new term in the Illinois House of Representatives:

“As Illinois faces serious challenges, I am honored by the opportunity to represent our communities in Springfield, and push for common-sense reforms that not only make Illinois a more competitive place, but also raising the standard of living for middle-class families in our area.

“First and foremost, we need serious action to enact a comprehensive balanced budget. As Illinois has staggered through 19 months of stopgap spending plans and court orders, countless social service providers have closed, and businesses and families are leaving in droves. This is no time for political posturing or extreme demands, it’s time for compromise. I’ve called on the governor to immediately resume bipartisan budget working groups, and stand ready to negotiate a full-year budget as soon as the governor and his allies are ready to return to the table.

“I believe we can all agree that Illinois also needs to take steps to improve the business climate, but I refuse to believe the only way to do so is by stripping away protections for workers injured through no fault of their own, silencing working families and cutting middle-class wages. Instead, we should focus on reforming the business tax code to reduce the burden on small and medium-sized employers. We should reinstate tax credits for businesses that create new jobs, hire engineers and other skilled workers. And we should invest in our middle-class families by expanding tax credits that help working families keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and investing in our local schools.

“My top priority as state representative will always be to put the needs and concerns of our community first. I will continue to be open and accessible to all constituents, and I encourage all local residents to reach out to my office for help with state programs or to give feedback on important legislative issues to help our state prosper.”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes portions of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.

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.