BOLINGBROOK, Ill. – To help local residents invest soundly and stay clear of fraud, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, is highlighting Investor.gov, a set of investor education resources available from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“As more people use apps, smartphones, and the power of the internet to invest, including many investing for the first time, it is important to know that unbiased information is available to help understand investing, evaluate choices and protect against fraud,” Avelar said. “At Investor.gov, people can learn the ABCs of investing, understand common terms, access financial calculators and more in order to make themselves more informed as an investor.”

With the rise of mobile investing apps, nearly one-third of people ages 18 to 34 use at least one investing app on their phone according to Bankrate, Avelar is highlighting Investor.gov to help educate and protect consumers. Investor.gov is operated by the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and acts as an educational resource to help investors make more informed decisions and avoid fraud. At Investor.gov, people can learn about how to get started saving and investing, setting goals and understanding risk. A variety of financial calculators and tools are available to verify that an investment professional or investment firm is registered with the SEC. Investor.gov also provides information on types of investment fraud and how to avoid being defrauded as well as resources for victims of investment fraud.

“No one can guarantee a return from investments, but by being better informed and educated, consumers can invest with confidence and build an investment plan that works for their needs,” Avelar added. “I highly recommend that anyone using an investment app, or just investing at all, utilizes Investor.gov to learn more about investing and protect themselves from fraud.”

JOLIET, Ill. – Will County-area legislators, including state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, will sponsor their third annual Veteran Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 9.

“It is our privilege to honor the service of veterans and their families,” said Walsh. “We will once again welcome veterans and their families to a free breakfast at the Stone City VFW Post 2199, which provides a wonderful breakfast and celebration atmosphere.”

“Almost 300 veterans and family members attend our event each year,” Walsh added. “It is always great to talk with them and hear their stories from being in the armed forces, as well as to learn about how their commitment to community service and country continued after their military service. So many of our veterans are leaders in their communities. We look forward to greeting old and new friends at the Veteran Appreciation Breakfast.”

“I applaud Rep. Walsh for again taking the lead in organizing this Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, a celebration of the patriotism of our veterans and the gratitude of us legislators,” added state Sen. Pat McGuire.

Veterans and their families are invited to the free event, Saturday, Nov. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stone City VFW Post 2199, 124 Stone City Circle in Joliet. For reservations, call or e-mail Walsh’s district office at 815-730-8600, statereplarrywalshjr@gmail.com.

Who:               State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., State Sen. Pat McGuire, State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, State Rep. Natalie Manley and State Rep. John Connor

What:              Veteran Appreciation Breakfast

Free for Veterans and their Families

When:              Saturday, Nov. 9

8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where:            Stone City VFW Post 2199

124 Stone City Dr., Joliet

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is working to expand vocational jobs training opportunities in Illinois with his support of a law creating the Training in Building Trades Program, which awards grants to community organizations that offer jobs training classes.

“College isn’t the right choice for every child” Connor said. “Vocational training helps kids not cut out for college and leads to practical, sustainable careers that this law will reinforce.  Illinois families deserve reliable jobs that pay them enough to be comfortable, not bare-boned work that leaves them trapped in a cycle of bills.”

Continuing his efforts to boost economic opportunity and practical, good-paying jobs, Connor passed House Bill 2304, which creates the Training in Building Trades Program in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for people between 18 and 35 to learn trade skills, especially in construction, electrical trades or plumbing. Connor’s bill is also required to give grants to at least three organizations in five geographic areas in Illinois: Central, Northeastern, Southern, Western and Metro-East. The bill received robust bipartisan support and is now law.

“Companies in Illinois are finding that there aren’t enough skilled workers with the necessary vocational training to fill jobs already available in the state.  This law is just one of many I have passed so we can grow a thriving economy for our communities, and I plan on many more,” Connor said. “We are going to build up a state with decent salaries, accessible jobs training and affordable college, and where the middle class doesn’t shoulder a skyrocketing property tax burden. It’s time for a stronger Illinois, and the future is looking brighter every day as a result.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Big insurance companies will have to cover diagnostic mammograms under a new law supported by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, which combats big insurance companies’ efforts to deny patients coverage for critical procedures.

“We want health insurance to make us healthier, not abandon us when we face our our most frightening battle, the battle for our survival against conditions like cancer.  Big insurance companies are endangering countless women who may not be able to afford critical procedures,” Connor said. “Diagnostic mammograms save lives and drastically improve womens’ odds in the fight against breast cancer.  Mammograms more than pay for themselves in the cost savings accomplished by early detection.  But big insurance doesn’t want to pay for them.  It is beyond reprehensible that they are willing to endanger so many lives just for the sake of a better bottom line.”

Connor voted to pass Senate Bill 162, which requires insurance companies to cover diagnostic mammograms, which are typically done to follow up and collect more information after a preventative screening indicated signs of breast cancer. Currently, regularly-scheduled preventative mammograms must be covered, but physician-requested diagnostic mammograms are not, and patients are forced to share the cost of the procedure. Connor’s legislation received strong bipartisan support and was recently signed into law.

In 2016, the CDC reported 17.3 million mammograms. In about 12% of cases, women were called back for another, more thorough diagnostic mammogram—which is currently not covered by many health insurance providers. Estimates indicate that doctors regularly requesting a second mammogram has lowered cancer mortality by about 40%.

“I’ve pledged to build a stronger Illinois, and that means ensuring that what someone earns doesn’t determine whether they get the treatment they need,” Connor said. “Big insurance companies want to be penny wise and pound foolish as they ransom women’s health care needs. I want to say loud and clear that they’re wrong.”

JOLIET, Ill. – This week 400 Illinois National Guardsmen and women from the 1^st battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment will begin their prepping for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. State Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, is urging local residents to help provide those solders with a free way to call home by donating gently-used mobile phones through Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. at his district office located at 121 Springfield Ave. in Joliet.

“This is the largest deployment of Illinois National Guard members in a decade and we need to do everything we can to help support them,” Walsh said. “The least we can do is support those who serve in our armed forces and their families.”

The National Guard unit Walsh is referring to are members of the 1st Battalion of the 178th Infantry Regiment (1-178 IN), of which some are stationed at the Joliet Armory. Walsh is asking residents to consider donating gently used cell phones valued at $5 or more, which can help get a solider two-and-a-half hours of free time to talk with loved ones back home. To date Cell Phone for Soldiers’ “Minutes That Matter Program” has provided over 300 million minutes of talk time to our troops serving around the world.

“These soldiers are interrupting their own lives, leaving their families for a year, to support counter-terrorism efforts and help keep us safe,” Walsh said. “I encourage everyone to donate leftover cell phones to give these local men and women opportunities to talk to loved one while they’re away.”

Soldiers from 1-178 IN are currently undergoing additional training prior to deploying in Fort Bliss, Texas. For more information on this event or similar drives for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, please contact Walsh’s constituent office by phone at 815-730-8600 or email statereplarrywalshjr@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing his advocacy for sexual assault survivors, state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, backed legislation that will take steps to ensure perpetrators of sexual assault face justice for their crimes by allowing survivors with warrants for their arrest for non-violent offenses to seek medical treatment and report incidents of assault to law enforcement without fear of prosecution.

“Survivors of sexual assault should never feel like they cannot come forward,” Connor said. “If we arrest someone who has gone through this terrible tragedy, it not only demonstrates a fundamental lack of compassion, it encourages survivors not to report their attack. Assaulters will remain on the streets and have a chance to repeat their behavior. We can’t let that happen.”

Connor helped pass House Bill 92, which protects sexual assault victims with arrest warrants for non-violent crimes by ensuring that they will not be taken into custody if they report the assault to law enforcement or medical professionals. Instead, law enforcement is required only to issue the victim a notice to appear in court. This exemption does not apply to victims who have a warrant for a violent crime or forcible felony.

“HB 92 is a crucial step forward for victims reporting sexual assault,” said Carrie Ward, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “Victims should not face the potential of being arrested as a result of reporting rape. This victim-centered legislation will help propel Illinois forward in its efforts to prosecute rapists and secure justice for rape survivors.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the legislative session for the 101st General Assembly comes to a close, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, reflects on legislation passed by the General Assembly to help people in her district.  

“My job in Springfield is to make tough decisions that are going to benefit our community and the state as a whole. After years of feeling like we were just taking on water, this year we finally passed significant reforms that will help build a stronger middle class across the state,” said Manley.  “We passed a realistic, balanced budget that will absolutely control spending while paying down the enormous backlog of unpaid bills racked up by the previous administration.  This progress will allow for greater investments toward health care, education and services for our most vulnerable citizens.”

Manley’s focus this legislative session was to provide financial relief to middle class families. She was able to accomplish this by raising the minimum wage, taking steps to seriously overhaul the state’s property tax system eliminating double taxation on residents who live in Illinois and work out of state, working to close the wage gap for women and minorities, and passing a balanced budget that will address the backlog of unpaid bills that the failed Rauner administration’s left us to deal with. Manley also voted for the Fair Tax amendment which will provide tax relief to 99% of taxpayers in the 98th District if it’s enacted.

Manley also sponsored and passed legislation recommended by her very active legislative advisory committees. House Bill 3503, suggested by her Retirees Legislative Advisory committee will help make hearing aids more affordable by requiring insurance companies to help cover the cost. House Bill 2188, advocated by her Women’s Legislative Advisory Committee, to change the school physical form to include questions that will provide doctors with the opportunity to educate parents about the mental health of their children.

“While lawmakers passed legislation to address many issues facing our state, I am incredibly proud to have led efforts to pass legislation that came from members here in our community,” continued Manley. “Their expertise and input helped me to be a strong advocate for our local families while in Springfield.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently backed legislation that will ensure that restaurant employees and other workers who earn tips will now be able to keep what they’ve earned without the intervention of their employers. Currently, businesses can withhold some or all gratuity payments from credit and debit card transactions.

 “In the course of my daily work as state Representative, I am often on the go and eat many of my meals in restaurants. When I tip, I want the servers to know that they did a good job and that I appreciate their efforts,” continued Manley. “Closing loopholes that businesses might use to take advantage of workers is commonsense.  People who work in the service industry are already operating at a deficit because they are paid well below minimum wage and so income from tips matters to them.”

Manley backed House Bill 3405, which provides that gratuities from customers to employees are the property of the employees and may not be retained by an employer, as current law allows businesses to withhold some or all gratuity payments from credit and debit card transactions.

“Most hardworking wait staff know that typically great service earns great tips, so they really strive to give the best service possible.  Tip income is often based upon performance, so they should be able to reap the rewards of their hard work,” continued Manley. “We need to enact policies that protect workers and put the money they’ve earned in their pocket where it belongs.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, introduced House Bill 3301, which
would eliminate the office of township clerk in each Township of Will County that resides
within the 98th Illinois House Legislative District, eliminating duplicative services and saving
taxpayer dollars.

“Saving taxpayer dollars has always been a top priority of mine and it should be a top priority for
anyone who is serious about fixing the many problems that keep Illinois from realizing its full
potential,” said Manley. “When we discover that redundancies and/or duplicative services exist,
at any level of government, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye and ignore the facts just
because it’s easier.”

Illinois has nearly 7,000 units of local government, nearly 1,800 more units of government that
the next competitive state. Currently, Illinois taxpayers are responsible for multiple layers of
government that duplicate services and force local governments to borrow and spend more,
ultimately costing taxpayers more money. Manley’s House Bill 3301, centralizes services and
focuses on efficiencies. The measure would only impact the Township Clerks office in the six
Townships in Will County within the 98th District, and would serve as a pilot program and a
model to potentially be implemented throughout the rest of the state.

“My commitment to gather and examine all the necessary data to make an informed decision as
it pertains to township government, both the cost and the benefit to the taxpayers in my district,
remains strong,” continued Manley. “I continue to invite all those who may not agree with me to
the table for further discussion. However, in order to have a productive conversation, we need to
be dealing with facts, not fear. Critics of this bill need to bring forth actual data that proves
keeping the status quo and business as usual is the best for the taxpayers.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to save local taxpayers money and to promote good government practices, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring legislation to eliminate the office of the township clerk as a pilot program in certain Will County townships.

“I have spent my time as state Representative listening to the people that I represent, and working to find solutions for their concerns.  The most common concern that local residents share with me is about their skyrocketing property taxes,” said Manley.  “I have listened to both my constituents, who overwhelmingly support this bill, and the critics of this bill and have noted their suggestions on how to improve it. Concerns about rising property taxes are shared by homeowners across the state, which is why my legislation is being backed with wide bipartisan support.”

Manley’s House Bill 3301 recently passed out of the Illinois House Counties and Townships Committee with bipartisan support now is on the House floor for full consideration. Manley’s proposal will serve as a pilot program and a model to potentially be implemented throughout the rest of the state by eliminating the position of township clerk in the six townships in Will County within Manley’s district. Manley’s legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of legislators.

“Elected officials have a duty to taxpayers to continually examine past practices and find new solutions to do things better, which will ultimately save taxpayers money,” said state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield.  “I am proud to join in the bipartisan fight for this legislation, to save homeowners money on their property tax bill, and to implement a more efficient system in local government.”