ELGIN, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, released the following statement following Gov. Rauner’s Budget Address:

“To no surprise, the governor’s address today was riddled with hypocrisy and shallow political talking points. He spoke of our duty to help the middle class by practicing fiscal discipline and responsibly managing the state’s finances. All the while, his mismanagement of state agencies has caused billions of dollars in bills to go unpaid and interest fees to pile up.

“Under his failed leadership, the two-year budget impasse severely hurt our schools, seniors, veterans and middle-class families. As if that was not enough, today he proposed a measure that would drive up property taxes and strip classrooms of vital funding.

“All of this goes to show that he refuses to take responsibility for his important role in moving the state forward. It is time the governor not only talks the talk, but walks the walk and leads by example. He must come to the table and work with both sides of the aisle in the legislature to do what needs to be done to ensure our state works for everyone, not just the wealthy and corporations. I encourage the governor to work with all of us in the House to pass a balanced budget that adequately funds our schools and works towards paying off our debts.”

ELGIN, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, has introduced bills that will provide additional protection for milkweed, a vital food source for Illinois’ population of threatened monarch butterflies, and also raise awareness of raise awareness of Illinois’ natural resources by designating milkweed as the official state wildflower.

“Milkweed is the only source of food for monarch butterfly caterpillars, and both milkweed and the monarch butterfly are being threatened by climate change, loss of habitat and toxic pesticides,” Moeller said. “These bills provide some important legal protection for milkweed, and also raise awareness of these threats to our natural resources. Making milkweed the state’s official wildflower will help residents recognize where it’s growing, better appreciate its role in sustaining a beautiful species of butterfly, and hopefully take steps to protect this delicate ecosystem.”

Moeller introduced House Bill 2568, which would name milkweed the Illinois State Wildflower. As the only plant that monarch caterpillars use for food, many conservation experts believe the decline in the plant is causing the population of these caterpillars to dwindle.

Moeller is also sponsoring legislation that would stop cities and towns from destroying milkweed. Currently, 18 municipalities classify milkweed as a noxious plant, and have the power to fine homeowners found growing it on their property. Working alongside the Illinois Environmental Council and the Sierra Club, Moeller has introduced House Bill 685, which would prohibit local governments from fining residents who have milkweed on their property.

“We must, as a community, come together to protect our environment and its inhabitants from extinction or eradication,” Moller said. “I am looking forward to a good discussion on the importance of the flower, and I hope my colleagues will join me in emphasizing the need to protect it in the years to come.”

ELGIN, Ill. – To help Kane County homeowners minimize their property tax bills, state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is hosting a Property Tax Homestead Exemption Seminar with the Kane County Assessment Office on Monday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Centre of Elgin, located at 100 Symphony Way in Elgin.

“Because property taxes can be confusing and frustrating, I’m committed to providing local residents with resources to better understand them,” Moeller said. “The aim of this workshop is to inform homeowners about the homestead exemptions they are eligible for so that they aren’t paying higher property tax bills than necessary.”

The Property Tax Homestead Exemption Seminar will be presented by Mark Armstrong, Kane County Supervisor of Assessments. He will explain several ways taxpayers can save money on their property tax bills including making sure all homestead exemptions are properly applied. Staff will be available on-site to check homestead exemptions and provide applications for those who qualify.

Since taking office, Moeller has fought to reduce the property tax burden on local homeowners. She has also hosted several successful property tax workshops in the Elgin area over the last several years.

“I’m excited for this workshop and I appreciate that the county provides this useful information to homeowners,” Moeller said. “I look forward to working with the Kane County Assessment Office again to help ensure that homeowners are only paying their fair share of property taxes.”

For more information, or to RSVP for the workshop, please call Rep. Moeller’s full-time constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, released the following statement in response to Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address:

“Our state cannot continue to operate without a budget as it has for the last two years. Illinois residents deserve a state government that can work together to pass a responsible budget that will protect the state’s social safety net, higher education institutions, and the many other critical services that so many people rely on.

“I urge the governor to restart bipartisan working groups, as they have had previous success in finding budget compromises, which is crucial to ending the budget impasse. The start of the 100th General Assembly is an opportunity for the governor, legislative leaders, and legislators on both sides of the aisle to come to the negotiating table in good faith to pass a responsible budget.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to address the state’s budget crisis and to improve Illinois’ business climate without placing more of a burden on hardworking, middle-class families.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Moeller’s full-time constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email staterepmoeller@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, was sworn into office on Wednesday to begin serving her second full term as the legislator for the 43rd Illinois House District in the 100th General Assembly and released the following statement:

“It is an honor to be trusted by the people of the 43rd district with the responsibility of being their voice in Springfield. Like many Illinoisans, I am frustrated by the gridlock that has plagued Springfield and will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a responsible budget and end the impasse.

“If Illinois continues to operate without a budget, the consequences will be dire. Seniors who rely on the Community Care Program would be forced into nursing homes – costing taxpayers more money, social service agencies that care for our most vulnerable will be forced to reduce staff and close their doors, and the opening of grade and high schools in the fall would be threatened. We cannot let this happen, as it would have a devastating impact on our state.

“That’s why I urge the governor to restart bipartisan working groups, because they have had success in the past in finding budget compromises. With a new General Assembly comes a new opportunity for the governor and Republican and Democratic legislators to find common ground to get a budget passed and ensure that the state gets back on the right track.

“While I’m not in Springfield, I look forward to continue local outreach to hear from as many constituents as possible through coffee shop visits, visits to local schools and businesses, walking door-to-door throughout the community, and hosting events from a Fox River Clean Up in April to a July Senior Fair.”

ELGIN, Ill. – In effort to raise awareness of January as Cervical Health Awareness Month, state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is encouraging women to take preventative measures to help reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women, and I urge the importance of getting cervical screenings and treatments to prevent life threatening conditions,” Moeller said. “It is crucial that women know the seriousness of cervical cancer but more importantly they know about the resources that are available to them.”

Cervical cancer is more likely to be curable in its early stages. Therefore it is encouraged by the American Cancer Society for women to be tested and to take certain precautions to protect themselves from developing the cancer. Cervical cancer develops out of HPV (human papillomavirus), which is currently undiagnosed in almost 80 million Americans. Through regular health screenings and the HPV vaccine, risk of developing cervical cancer is very low. Amidst the ongoing budget crisis, Moeller supported funding for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program which offers screenings and treatment options for Illinoisans without insurance between the ages of 35 and 64 who qualify, regardless of income.

“I understand that with the ongoing budget crisis in Illinois funding cuts are being made to programs, but the health and well-being of residents should be a priority that is reflected in the budget,” Moeller said. “I will continue my support for funding of critical services like the breast and cervical cancer program that has help to save lives, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

For more information please visit www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/womens-health-services/ibccp or contact Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

ELGIN, Ill. – To create an account of the service of Illinois’ veterans and civilians during wartime, state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is encouraging local residents to participate in the Illinois Veterans’ History Project, a program created by Secretary of State Jesse White after Congress charged the Library of Congress with preserving stories of military service.

“The Illinois Veterans’ History Project gives service members and their loved ones the chance to put their memories into a permanent record,” Moeller said. “I encourage veterans and their family members to take part in this project so that we never forget the service of these brave men and women.”

To participate, veterans or their family members can complete an Illinois Patriots Information Form from the Secretary of State’s office. Forms are found at driver service facilities throughout Illinois or on their website https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/public/veteransproject.html. Those who participate will receive an Official Certificate of Appreciation for their participation.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, the project has nearly 6,000 digitized records accessible through the State Library’s Illinois Digital Archive and approximately 300 streamed interviews on the project’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/ilveteransproject.

“We must always remember and be thankful for the courageous efforts of the brave men and women who serve our country,” Moeller said. “As state Representative, I’m committed to protecting vital services for veterans and increasing veteran appreciation in Illinois. I encourage veterans and their families to participate in the Illinois Veteran History Project.”

For more information about the Illinois Veterans History Project, please contact Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

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ELGIN, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is calling on the governor to sign bipartisan legislation allowing prosecutors additional time to try criminals who commit financial crimes against seniors into law.

“We must do all we can to crack down on criminals who target innocent seniors and their financial assets,” Moeller said. “This is a reasonable, bipartisan measure that will help prosecutors go after criminals who prey on seniors.”

The Moeller-backed House Bill 5805 would extend the statute of limitations to seven years, up from three, for financial exploitation of an elderly person or those with disabilities. This type of exploitation is one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse of seniors and adults with disabilities. House Bill 5805 passed out of the General Assembly unanimously and now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law.

“I remain committed to giving prosecutors the tools and resources they need to protect seniors and our communities from these scammers,” Moeller said. “I urge the governor to act without delay to sign this measure into law.”

For more information, please contact Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

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ELGIN, Ill. – State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is urging the governor to sign legislation that will punish criminals who, for financial gain, pretend to be military veterans as soon as it crosses his desk.

“It is appalling that there are people willing to lie about serving in the military just to make money,” Moeller said. “We must fight back and punish these criminals who pretend to be honorable veterans and this measure is a step in that direction.”

Moeller is a sponsor and helped pass Senate Bill 2167, which enhances the offense of false presentation to include when someone receives money, property, or other benefits by falsely claiming to be an active-duty or veteran service member. While this offense does not currently exist, there are similar offenses in place to address people who misrepresent themselves as public officials for monetary gain. The measure is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and passed out of the General Assembly with strong bipartisan support.

“Lying about having a military record when, in fact, you don’t have one is a very serious matter,” Moeller said. “I urge the governor to sign this measure as soon as it comes to his desk in order to deter criminals from trying this in the future.”

For more information, please contact Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

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