RED BUD, Ill. – To encourage local students to get involved with their education as the state continues to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is sharing an opportunity for high school students to work with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by serving on its Student Advisory Council.

“The Student Advisory Council gives students an opportunity to have a seat at the table and have a say on policies that could impact their education,” said Reitz. “ISBE is working to ensure our students receive the best education possible even as our schools navigate the COVID-19 health crisis, so serving on the Student Advisory Council is a great way for students to give their perspectives.”

Reitz is encouraging local teens to apply to serve on ISBE’s Student Advisory Council, which meets from September through March of each school year to learn about and provide feedback on state education policy. Any Illinois high school student entering their sophomore, junior or senior year this fall may apply. For more information or to apply, visit www.isbe.net/studentvoices.

“It is important to have voices from Southern Illinois on the Student Advisory Council to represent our values, so I encourage any student interested in becoming a teacher or pursuing a future in education to apply,” continued Reitz.  “This is a great opportunity for students to work with their peers from across the state to develop solutions to problems facing our schools, which is especially important as we face the COVID-19 crisis.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently met with members of the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), as hundreds of gun owners visited the Capitol for Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD).

“One of the first pieces of legislation I passed in Springfield was a bipartisan measure to cut burdensome red tape on gun owners who are following the law,” said Reitz. “I will continue standing up for Southern Illinois and our traditions by protecting our constitutional rights and supporting responsible gun owners in Illinois.”

Reitz recently passed a new law that extends the life of renewed concealed carry licenses, and reduces restrictions on military members and police officers, who have already received extensive training on handling a firearm. Reitz is also inviting local residents to his upcoming Gun Rights Update with the ISRA at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex on Dec. 14.

For more information, or to RSVP to the Gun Rights Update, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

STEELEVILLE, Ill. – In an ongoing effort to promote public safety, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is holding a shred and prescription drug take back day on Sat., Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Perry County Market Place at 412 South Main Street in Pinckneyville.

“Shred days are an opportunity for everyone in the community to dispose of unwanted documents safely, so that they do not become victims of identity theft,” Reitz said. “Not only will this help people clear out clutter, old papers often have personal or financial information that could leave folks vulnerable to identity theft if they fall into the wrong hands.

For shredding, there is a per-person limit of two boxes, and all bindings and staples must be removed from any paper. The Pinckneyville Police Department will be on hand to accept expired and unused prescription drugs as well to be safely disposed of. Both events are free and open to the public.

“You will also have the chance to get rid of old and expired prescription drugs without the risk of them falling into the wrong hands,” Reitz said. “Securely disposing of prescription drugs will get rid of the risk of someone else finding them and taking them, a common way people end up sustaining opioid addictions and other dependencies.”

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. – To highlight National Principals Month and to learn more about the needs of local schools, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently participated in the “Principal for a Day” program at Pinckneyville Community High School.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with Pinckneyville teachers and students,” said Reitz “And to see the great work Principal Tony Wilson has done despite difficulties and uncertainty with the state’s budget.”

October is National Principals Month, and is a time to honor and celebrate the hard work of principals to ensure schools succeed. Throughout the month of October, Reitz will be visiting schools throughout Southern Illinois to participate in the “Principal for a Day” program and continue discussing the needs of local schools, teachers and students. 

“Schools in Southern Illinois were hit hardest during the state’s budget impasse,” continued Reitz. “So I will continue fighting to make sure our schools and teachers receive the resources they need and that our children receive the quality education they deserve.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – Continuing his efforts to be a strong voice for Southern Illinois industry, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, was recently appointed to the Illinois Coal Development Board.

“As a lifelong Southern Illinoisan, and with my experience as a Plant Supervisor at the Baldwin Power Plant, I understand how vital coal is to our local economy and workforce.” said Reitz. “We rely upon coal to power our homes and businesses. Many families also rely upon coal for their livelihoods, as there are many proud miners in our region, and power plants across Southern Illinois that employ hundreds of workers.”

The Illinois Coal Development Board is an advisory board for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), a state agency that works to provide economic opportunities for Illinois businesses, entrepreneurs and residents. As a member of the Coal Development Board, Reitz will be an advocate for Southern Illinois coal as DCEO explores programs to expand and boost the state’s economy and business market.

“While Chicago politicians actively work to shift our state economy away from coal, as a member of the Coal Development Board I will be a strong voice for Southern Illinois and continue standing up for the coal industry,” said Reitz. “I will fight to protect and grow the coal industry, helping our region’s economy flourish and putting Southern Illinoisans to work for generations to come.”

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

STEELEVILLE, Ill. – As part of his continued efforts to promote sportsman’s organizations at local schools across Southern Illinois, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, presented a grant to the Steeleville High School trap shooting team on behalf of the Illinois Sportsman’s Caucus.

“Team competition like this teaches lasting lessons that will help our kids succeed throughout their lives,” said Reitz. “Grants like these from the Illinois Sportsman’s Caucus will continue to build up our local programs for youth sportsmen and hunters and create more opportunities for kids to learn about target shooting, hunting and many of the traditions that local hunters pass down to their children and families.”

As a member of the statewide caucus, Reitz choose the Steeleville High School trap shooting team to receive one of ten donations that will be distributed from the Illinois Sportsman’s Caucus to school teams across the state.

​VALMEYER, Ill. – To discuss the impact that the pork industry has on the state economy and learn more about local pork, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, recently toured Brinkman Farms in Valmeyer to meet with local pork producers.

“Agriculture has a huge impact on the state, national and global economy, and Illinois’ pork industry is a large contributor, generating billions of dollars in economic activity and creating thousands of jobs,” said Reitz. “Many Southern Illinoisans rely on farming for their livelihood, so I will continue advocating for agriculture and fighting to be a strong voice for our local industry.”

According to the Illinois Pork Producers, there are over 2,000 farms in Illinois that raise pigs, 97% of which are family-owned and operated. Illinois ranks 4th in the United States for pork production. While in Springfield, Reitz serves on the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee and has been an outspoken advocate for Illinois farmers.

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

MARISSA, Ill. – To help support local high school sportsmen programs like bass fishing and trap shooting, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is partnering with the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to provide scholarships to Southern Illinois high schools, and recently presented a check to the Marissa High School Trap Shooting Team.

“Programs that support outdoor sports and activities like hunting and fishing support Southern Illinois traditions,” said Reitz. “The funding provided by the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus helps to make sure these teams are able to travel to meets, buy equipment, and ensures the programs are available to students for years to come.”

Reitz chose the Marissa Trap Shooting Team as one organization of ten within Southern Illinois to receive a scholarship from the Illinois Sportsmen’s Caucus. In the coming weeks, Reitz will be visiting sportsmen’s teams throughout the region to present scholarships.

For more information, contact Rep. Reitz’s constituent service office by calling 618-282-7284 or by emailing RepNReitz@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is helping provide tax relief for job creators with his backing of a new law expanding a current tax credit to include manufacturing and production machinery and equipment.

“Hard-working business owners deserve relief from taxes and the constant government red tape placed on them and that remains one of my top priorities,” Reitz said. “We need to build a stronger Illinois, and we have to start by giving more support to our businesses and job creators. This tax relief will do that while also help lowering the cost of goods manufactured in Illinois.”

Reitz is backing Senate Bill 689, which expands the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit, a tax credit to pay for production-related property and machinery that manufacturers need to run their businesses. This bill builds up numerous other tax credits and jobs programs to bring a thriving economy back to underserved areas of Illinois. The law passed with strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“When manufacturers can afford the tools they need to sell their goods at reasonable prices, the entire community benefits,” Reitz said. “This bill will help create sustainable jobs, make local goods more affordable and keep foreign corporations from hurting our businesses. Illinoisans deserve an economy that works for them, and I will continue to work to make sure they get it.”

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is backing a new law which will create an internship program for training new correctional officers as well as grow job opportunities for veterans entering the profession.

“Our correctional facilities need high quality workers to staff them, and our veterans need good jobs to help them build a new life once they have returned from duty,” Reitz said. “We are helping build skills for guards at our prisons and jails, including the correctional facility at Menard, as well as creating employment opportunities for the brave men and women who most deserve them.”

Reitz backed Senate Bill 2148, which establishes the Correctional Officer Intern Program to train new recruits to be correctional officers. The legislation also requires correctional officer and law enforcement training programs to give preference to people who have served in the U.S. military. It received strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“The veterans who have risked their lives to serve our country should have plenty of prospects for good careers when they get home,” Reitz said. “A steady job is the foundation of a stable life, and that opportunity is the least we can give them.”