DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, expressed outrage Thursday over the recent move by Governor Bruce Rauner’s Illinois Commerce Commission to approve a five percent rate increase on ComEd costumers. The decision comes shortly after the governor took the lead in negotiating a bailout for ComEd’s parent company Exelon to keep two financially struggling downstate nuclear power plants open.

“We’re already going to see our utility rates increase because of the governor’s two billion dollar taxpayer-funded bailout of Exelon, and now we’re going to see rates skyrocket even higher,” Moylan said. “The governor needs to focus on helping the working class rather than spending his time bailing out an already profitable company that will lead to the largest rate hike in United States history.”

On Tuesday, the governor-controlled Illinois Commerce Commission voted to increase rates on ComEd costumers in an effort to generate $127.5 million in revenue for the utility company. The increase will help ComEd pay for their efforts to modernize their electrical grid as part of the 2011 Smart Grid law. This rate hike came on the same day that Rauner approved a $2 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of ComEd’s parent company Exelon. The recently passed bailout bill commits ratepayers to a $2.35 billion subsidy of two nuclear power plants owned by Exelon. Moylan voted against that bill arguing it was a corporate bailout.

“The hard working families of my district shouldn’t be nickeled and dimed by large corporations,” Moylan said. “I am disappointed not only that the governor took the lead in negotiating a bailout for a profitable company, but also let down by the recent vote that his commerce commission made to saddle ratepayers with even higher utility bills.”

For more information, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent service office at 847-635-6821 or staterepmoylan@gmail.com.
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PEORIA, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, released the following statement after the passage of stop-gap budget bills:

“Today was an important day in Illinois because it shows that Democrats and Republicans can put aside their differences to do what is in the best interest for the people they serve. However, the work that was done today is not enough. We must do more and I am calling on the governor and legislative leaders to continue negotiations.

“The bill that was passed provides a 6 month budget for our colleges, universities and human service providers. The funding ensures that our public universities will open in the fall and provide funding for students were supposed to receive grants from the Monetary Assistance Program last year. Human service providers, which have been under great financial strain, will receive funding for the their programs, which include in-home care for seniors, domestic and sexual abuse counseling, services for children with disabilities and breast cancer screenings. Our seniors, children and most vulnerable citizens will be able to continue to receive the vital services they need.

“Additionally, the budget fully funds local schools for all of Fiscal Year 2017. As legislators continue to discuss a much needed update to our school funding formula, this budget increases funding for districts with the highest poverty. Schools in our communities all benefit from this budget.

“As I said, there is much more work to do to put a final, full year budget in place, create a more equitable school funding formula and pay human services providers for all of their work from the past fiscal year. I am committed to working with all my colleagues to find solutions that will put our communities and state back on the right track.”

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PEORIA, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, is calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign Senate Bill 2038, legislation that was approved by the House of Representatives to provide funding for human service providers.

“In the Peoria area, human services providers are the fifth largest employer,” Gordon-Booth said. “But, the number of employees they have is rapidly declining the longer this budget impasse continues. This funding will help not only our human service providers, but their clients as well.”

Senate Bill 2038, which Gordon-Booth supported, provides emergency funding to provide funding for home health care for seniors, breast and cervical cancer screenings, Meals on Wheels, mental health programs and support for victims of sexual assault. Funding for this bill was identified by Republican and Democratic legislators and does not add to the state’s deficit. The bill was crafted in a same way that emergency funding for higher education was passed and signed by the governor. The legislation was unanimously approved by Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly from across the state and received support from all Peoria area legislators.

“Every day the Heart of Illinois United Way hears from our social service provider partners about the struggles they are facing due to the budget impasse. Unfortunately, this has caused a reduction in vital programs and services in central Illinois. We appreciate the unanimous support of all Peoria-area legislators for SB2038 and join many others in urging the governor to sign this bill,” Michael Stephan, President of the Heart of Illinois United Way, said.

“The governor has had this bill for over a month and hasn’t taken any action,” Gordon-Booth said. “While I whole-heartedly agree with him that we need a long-term budget solution, we cannot allow this stalemate to jeopardize the services people rely on. This is hurting our constituents, businesses and economy and I encourage the governor to the right thing and sign the emergency budget bill immediately.”

To ask Gov. Rauner to sign Senate Bill 2038 and provide emergency funding for social services, please call 217-782-0244. For more information, please contact Gordon-Booth’s constituent services office at 309-681-1992 or email repjgordon@gmail.com.

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PEORIA, Ill. – To help encourage job creation and economic development in Peoria, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, passed legislation to protect enterprise developments zones throughout Peoria County.

“Democrats and Republicans agree that we need to do more to make Illinois more business-friendly,” Gordon-Booth said. “For years we have seen that tools and tax breaks offered by enterprise zones have helped businesses create jobs. This legislation makes it easier for communities to apply and continue participating in the program.”

Enterprise zones are created with the approval of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and provide a variety of incentives to businesses within an economically depressed area. There is an enterprise zone in the city of Peoria and another in rural Peoria County. Gordon-Booth’s Senate Bill 571 would make it easier for enterprise zones to reapply, by extending the date in which they can submit their application. The measure would also allow businesses in an existing enterprise zone to benefit from state incentives while their application is going through the official renewal process.

“The process to apply to be part of an enterprise zone is extensive and time consuming,” said Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. “The changes that Rep. Gordon-Booth made with this legislation will give Peoria more time to complete our application and get it approved to ensure that businesses in these areas continue to have the tools and resources they need to grow and create jobs in our community.”

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to keep public universities in Illinois open, state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, supported legislation Friday to appropriate $600 million in funding for state universities, community colleges, and the Monetary Award Program.

“Many public universities are warning they will be forced to close their doors this summer without funding from the state,” Walsh said. “This is a critical stopgap measure that will prevent the complete collapse of higher education in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 2059 releases $600 million in funding for universities and community colleges. The Walsh-backed measure also includes crucial dollars for the state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP), which helps low-income students attain a higher education. The releasing of these funds comes at a time when several public universities have warned they would have to close their doors without action from the state. Walsh has supported several measures to fund higher education and the MAP Grant program, but Governor Rauner has either opposed or vetoed these efforts. Senate Bill 2059 passed both chambers Friday and now goes to the governor for further consideration.

“The governor’s decision to wait until the eleventh hour to release limited funding has caused serious damage to our state’s credibility,” Walsh said. “We have much more work to do to ensure our universities survive this crisis created by Governor Rauner.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, issued the following statement following Comptroller Leslie Munger’s announcement that she would delay processing the paychecks of Illinois’ elected officials.

“I absolutely support the decision to delay processing the paychecks for elected officials. It’s past time that the comptroller realized the countless needs going unmet across the state.

“I think state officials should lead by example and that’s why I haven’t cashed my paycheck since this impasse began. I’ll continue to withhold my pay for the remainder of the 2016 fiscal year or until a budget compromise is reached. As the conversations begin to craft a solution for Fiscal Year 2017, I’ll continue to be open to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle both on the floor of the House and on the Appropriations General Services committee where I am a member to find a compromise.

“As long as school districts continue wondering when their next payment will arrive, seniors aren’t able to get the in-home meals they depend on and women across the state don’t have access to the breast and cervical cancer testing they need, it’s irresponsible to prioritize salaries for state leaders. I hope this move from the comptroller helps bring the sense of urgency to pass a budget that exists in the rest of Illinois to the Capitol building.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After listening to the governor’s budget address, state Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, issued the following statement urging the governor to follow through on his budgetary promises:

“The time for talk is over, and the time for action is now. For over a year this governor has talked about fixing Illinois, but since he took office things have only gotten worse, especially for those who rely on state assistance. Illinois needs a responsible state budget that provides for everyone, and I will continue fighting to make sure that our most vulnerable residents are provided for until a budget is passed.

“The governor and his friends do not understand what it is like to be new to the country or the misery of being unable to afford to heat their home, so he allows immigration welcoming centers and home heating assistance programs to remain unfunded. In Illinois, opportunities must be provided for everyone, not just the wealthy. These programs are not afterthoughts, but the governor treats them like they are.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Chris Welch, D-Hillside, issued the following statement in response to Governor Rauner’s budget address:

“As I talk to constituents in the 7th District every day, they tell me about the real ways the state’s months-long budget impasse is hurting them and their loved ones. Countless social service providers have been forced to cut back – some have laid off workers – while those who count on those critical services are left with nowhere to turn. If this continues for much longer, the consequences will get even more severe.

“While I appreciated the governor’s remarks and understand the need to make additional reforms that will help Illinois become more competitive and promote economic growth, this cannot be done on the backs of working men and women across our state.

“No other governor in recent history has held a budget, and the people of Illinois, hostage to his demands for the passage of an extreme agenda, which has very little legislative support. I truly hope Gov. Rauner takes President Obama’s remarks from last week seriously by deciding to compromise and negotiating with Democrats in good faith to craft a responsible budget.”

Welch represents the 7th District which includes all or portion of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, La Grange Park, Maywood, River Forest and Westchester. For more information, contact Welch’s constituent service office at 708-450-1000, e-mail repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com or visit www.emanuelchriswelch.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Dolton, issued the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s annual budget address:

“During his speech, Gov. Rauner emphasized the importance of making Illinois more competitive. I believe we cannot do that without a working class that can support their families and invest in local business. Critical services such as basic healthcare, cancer screening and access to higher education are being interrupted as a result of this budget crisis, and that does nothing but hurt our ability to grow our economy.

“Our middle-class families did not create Illinois’ budget problems, but Bruce Rauner and his big business allies continue to argue that they should make the sacrifice to restore financial stability. Thousands of students in our community utilize MAP grants to attend Chicago State University, Governor’s State University and other institutions, and are face with the possibility of not finishing school this semester. Our vulnerable citizens are being forced to choose between paying out of pocket for essential services and putting food on the table for their families. These are the effects of this governor’s insistence on advocating for his extreme reform agenda. It’s irresponsible and out of touch with the well-being of real people that live in my district.

“The governor has to understand that people are suffering from the budget impasse. I will continue to fight against any proposal that makes dangerous cuts to critical services and puts the most vulnerable members of our state at risk, and I will work with anyone who is serious about finding a compromise.”

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