http://www.senatorrezin.comSue Rezinen-USCopyright © 2011 Sue Rezin | Illinois State Senator | 38th District | All Rights Reservedadmin@change.meThe Illinois Senate considered several contentious bills this week, including a measure to reduce the healthcare subsidy for retired state employees, according to Sen. Rezin. Plus more news. Fri, 11 May 2012 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=56http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=56Following the Dec. 13 passage of a targeted job creation and retention package, many Illinois lawmakers are now calling for a more thorough review and possibly a rollback of state tax hikes that were passed just under a year ago. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=23http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=23State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said the Senate concurred with House amendments Dec. 13 on revised cemetery legislation that will make several changes to the previously approved Cemetery Oversight Act. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=25http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=25Looking for a job? The Workforce Services Division of Will County can help. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=26http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=26More than 200 new laws, covering everything from local library boards to murder, went into effect on January 1.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=27http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=27State Sen. Sue Rezin says one year after the historic tax increase was passed, Illinois still faces massive budget problems. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=28http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=28This week, Senate Republicans an end to their participation in the legislative scholarship program, the Comptroller issued a quarterly report, Gov. Quinn announced plans to close two state facilities, and more pension abuses are revealed.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=29http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=29Sen. Rezin was recently recognized for her support of the Mutual Aid box Alarm System Division 25.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=30http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=30With Governor Quinn set to deliver the annual State of the State Address on Feb. 1, Sen. Rezin previews what she hopes the Governor will say. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=31http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=31Sen. Rezin reacts to Governor Quinn's State of the State address, says the speech was big on ideas but short on details. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=32http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=32Gov. Quinn delivers the State of the State address, glosses over the real issues, Medicaid expansion is proposed, and moreTue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=33http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=33Sen. Rezin joined other legislators in wearing red on Feb. 8 to recognize February as American Heart Month. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=34http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=34This week in the Senate, Caterpillar announces it will not expand in Illinois, Mayor Emanuel proposes a statewide handgun registry, and more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=35http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=35Sen. Rezin shares a letter passed on to her from Rep. Roth and written by Rep. Hays concerning Medicaid expansion that is being proposed by Chicago. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=36http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=36State Sen. Sue Rezin says two school districts in the 38th District will benefit from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=37http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=37This week in the Senate, many GOP lawmakers anticipate what Governor Quinn will say in the budget address on Feb. 22Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=38http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=38Sen. Sue Rezin said she had hoped Gov. Quinn would deliver a challenging, austere budget plan during his budget address on Feb. 22. Instead, she says he missed the mark by failing to address Illinois’ dire financial situation and instead proposed a budget that will increase spending from last year.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=39http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=39Illinois’ fiscal challenges have been well-documented in recent months, leading many lawmakers to question Gov. Quinn’s Feb. 22 budget address, which increases state spending by almost $550 million, expands state programs, and offers no suggestion on how to pay down Illinois’ tremendous bill backlog or roll back the Democrats’ 2011 income tax hike.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=40http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=40Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is now accepting applications for his summer internshipTue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=41http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=41House and Senate lawmakers reach an agreement on a revenue estimate, express sympathies for Southern Illinois residents impacted by the deadly tornado system, and moreTue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=42http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=42Senate lawmakers come to a consensus on a revenue number, hundreds of bills pass through legislative committees, Senate lawmakers voluntarily reduce legislative pay, and more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=43http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=43Would you like to help the LaSalle Veterans' Home? They have compiled a list of items that they would appreciated in order to provide the best possible care to the veterans they serve. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=44http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=44This week, Enterprise Zone hearings begin, Sen. Rezin tours Illinois Valley Community Hospital, speaks to groups, and LaSalle Veterans' Home releases wish list for 2012. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=45http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=45Senate lawmakers approved almost 100 Senate bills that will now proceed to the House for consideration, while a number of Senate Subcommittees met to consider a variety of bills. Also during the week, Senate legislators convened for a presentation outlining federal Medicaid requirements and offering ideas on how other states approach Medicaid. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=46http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=46Senate lawmakers worked to move bills through the legislative process before a March 30 deadline, advancing hundreds of measures addressing issues that range from criminal justice and procurement matters, to state financial reporting and veterans’ assistance. Plus more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=47http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=47Lawmakers returned to their respective districts this week to catch up on local issues, two legislative bodies used the opportunity to hold statewide hearings on enterprise zones and Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed facility closures, Sen. Rezin visited four different hospitals in the 38th Senate District, and more.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=48http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=48During the week, legislators caught up on work in their district offices, and the bipartisan Special Senate Committee on Enterprise Zone Extensions wrapped up a series of statewide hearings in Peoria on April 9. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=49http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=49This week, lawmakers returned to Springfield to kick off the seven week stretch to the scheduled end of the Spring 2012 legislative session, and Gov. Quinn announced plans for pension and Medicaid reform, plus more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=50http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=50Legislation extending the state's popular Enterprise Zone economic development tool won unanimous support in the Senate, capping off a busy week that also included a scathing audit of the administration's management of the state's workers' compensation program and a Comptroller's report that Illinois is more than $9 billion behind in paying its bills. Plus more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=51http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=51Following the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) hearing on May 1, 2012 regarding the closure of several state facilities, including the Dwight Correctional Center and Illinois Youth Center in Joliet, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued a statement.Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=52http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=52State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) welcomed Max Colby and his mother, Mindy, to the State Capitol Thursday, May 3. Max, a Utica resident, was in town to participate in the Illinois History Expo. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=53http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=53Sen. Rezin will host a TeleForum on Wed., May 9 with State Rep. Roth, while it was a busy week in Springfield considering House bills, voting to eliminate the Legislative Scholarship Program, and more. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=54http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=54Sen. Rezin will be hosting a TeleForum with State Rep. Pam Roth (R-Morris) on Wednesday, May 9 at 6:55 p.m. Click to read more information on how to participate. Tue, 08 May 2012 18:20:56 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=55http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=55According to a report released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of employed in Illinois has continued to drop, increasing the state’s unemployment rate to 9.5 percent. Illinois’ unemployment now exceeds the national average. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=11http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=11FOID Requests (HB 1716/PA 97-0579): Allows public bodies to respond to a “recurrent requester” within a reasonable amount of time, similar to what is currently required for a commercial request. A “recurrent requester” has done one of the following in the previous 12 months: submitted 50 FOIA requests in the year; submitted 10 FOIA requests in a 30-day period; submitted 5 FOIA requests in a 7-day period. Exemptions are included for requests made by news media and non-profit, scientific or academic organizations.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=10http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=10In an August 27 Forbes article Columnist Avik Roy highlighted the role the Obama Administration is playing in attempting to block commonsense portions of Illinois’ Medicaid reform package that passed the General Assembly in January. The issue is over a statement from Obama’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that rejects reforms that very simply require that Medicaid applicants provide some nominal proof of eligibility.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=9http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=9In an August 27 Forbes article Columnist Avik Roy highlighted the role the Obama Administration is playing in attempting to block commonsense portions of Illinois’ Medicaid reform package that passed the General Assembly in January. The issue is over a statement from Obama’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that rejects reforms that very simply require that Medicaid applicants provide some nominal proof of eligibility.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=4http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=4This week President Obama proposed a federal payroll tax cut and reminded Illinois residents that they never saw the first payroll tax cut that went into effect across the nation in January.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=3http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=3In an attempt to set the stage for the legislature's annual fall veto session beginning in October, Governor Quinn announced plans to close seven state facilities and lay off more than 1,900 state employees.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=2http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=2Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=8http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=8Members of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Study Committee met on Sept. 15 in Springfield to hear testimony from insurance industry representatives and consumer and healthcare advocates. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=7http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=7On September 12, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn vetoed Senate Bill 1652, a plan to modernize Illinois’ electric utility system that opponents say allows for excessive and burdensome cost increases for consumers. Opponents also argue that it gives Commonwealth Edison and Ameren too much autonomy when it comes to state oversight of utility regulation and rate increases.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=6http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=6On Friday, September 16, Senator LaHood was on hand as the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center broke ground the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center (JTSEC). Simulation training is the future of medical education, and this groundbreaking new facility is a tremendous step forward for the Peoria medical community.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=5http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=5Early this week, further evidence of the rough shape of Illinois business climate surfaced. A recently released survey completed by more than 300 business executives painted a grim portrait of how companies perceive Illinois’ business climate. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=14http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=14The same day Illinois made headlines for it’s poor business climate, Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross and fellow House Republicans unveiled a plan they say will attract and keep good jobs in Illinois.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=13http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=13 Work continued this week on the design and implementation of federally-mandated health benefits exchanges and concerns over the cost to the State of Illinois were raised. A special joint Senate and House committee met Sept. 21 in Chicago, to continue hearings on the impact of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). One purpose was to review a consultant’s report, released days earlier, which showed health insurance exchanges required by the new federal law could cost Illinois up to $89 million annually. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=12http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=12Illinois residents continue to respond to a proposal by Governor Pat Quinn that would shutter seven state mental health, developmentally disabled, and correctional facilities. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=17http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=17In January, Illinois taxpayers were sold the idea that a tax increase was the way to solve the state’s financial problems. However, in spite of the tax increase the Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) deficit still exceeds the FY11 deficit. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=16http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=16On Monday, October 3, Senator LaHood got a tour of several schools in the Illinois Valley Central School District from District Superintendant Nick Polyak. The Chillicothe Independent was on hand as Senator LaHood took questions from a class of third grade students at South School. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=18http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=18 House Bill 3827, filed this week, will help to provide greater accountability for the City of Chicago and Cook County pension boards. The bill will also require pension boards statewide to refer any suspected fraud to the local authorities.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=21http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=21Though state revenues grow, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) cautions ‘clouds on the horizon’ in a monthly briefing issued this week.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=20http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=20The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) held its first public hearing this week on the Governor’s plan to close seven state facilities and lay off more than 1,900 state employees. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=19http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=19State Senator Darin LaHood recently met with representatives from the City of Galesburg and ADM officials to discuss the closure of ADM’s soybean processing plant in Galesburg and opportunities for the site once the facility is closed.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=22http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=22The citizens of Chester and Murphysboro were out in full force October 12 to support Chester Mental Health Center and Illinois Youth Center at Murphysboro. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMThttp://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=24http://www.senatorrezin.comhttp://senatorrezin.com/Home.aspx?nid=24