Saturday, Feb. 8

 

Parents and teachers, new website
helps explain terrorism to kids

[FEB. 8, 2003]  The Federal Emergency Management Agency has just posted a section titled "National Security Emergencies" on "FEMA for Kids." The new section helps explain terrorism, biological and chemical weapons and how to prepare for these threats. In light of the newly elevated threat level, this site is even more important. Go to http://www.fema.gov/kids/nse/.


Current state budget cut as
work begins on fiscal 2004 budget

Former President Ronald Reagan honored and
college financing and scholarships addressed

[FEB. 8, 2003]  Senate news from the office of Bill Brady --

Restoring order to the state's finances is the main order of business for Illinois State Republicans, who have reintroduced a proposal that will authorize the governor to cut the current budget by $1 billion.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus joined Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson in a Feb. 6 press conference at the state Capitol to offer Gov. Rod Blagojevich the authority to cut the fiscal 2003 state budget by 5 percent across the board. The caucus is also asking for a budget summit to begin working on the budget for fiscal 2004, which starts July 1, 2003.

Illinois' budget crisis has dominated the headlines for months. Millions of dollars were cut from state programs and agencies last year, and in the coming months there is little doubt those same difficult decisions will be faced again. The budget deficits at the state level seem to be getting worse every day. These problems stem from a rapid growth in the state spending that has far exceeded the state's revenues for more than a year.

The Senate Republican Caucus introduced Senate Bill 350 -- the Emergency Budget Act for fiscal 2003 -- on Feb. 6, giving the governor authority to cut 5 percent across the board from the budget he inherited when he took office last month.

The legislation is based on a proposal first offered by Senate Republicans in November 2001, which failed because of a lack of Democratic support. A January 2003 vote on the same legislation had the support of 12 Democrats, including Senate President Emil Jones Jr. but failed on a narrow vote in the House of Representatives.

 

Brady named to Senate committees

Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, has asked Sen. Bill Brady to serve on the Agriculture and Conservation Committee and the Insurance and Pensions Committee in the Senate

The Agriculture and Conservation Committee considers legislation that impacts farming, agriculture-related business and conservation issues.

Legislation affecting the insurance industry and pension systems is examined by the Insurance and Pensions Committee before being considered by the entire Senate.

The appointments this week come on the heels of Brady's appointment Jan. 17 as Republican spokesman for the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, which considers all legislation affecting the business and labor communities in Illinois.

The Senate's 17 standing committees analyze legislation dealing with specific subject areas, such as education, agriculture and transportation. The committees screen legislation introduced by all members, shaping what is presented to lawmakers and determining if it will be sent to the Senate for a vote. Usually only those bills approved by a committee may be considered by the entire Senate.

The kinds of issues considered in Sen. Brady's committees -- agriculture, insurance and business
-- are important to all citizens and will be especially challenging given the condition of the state budget.

Brady resolution honors former President Ronald Reagan

The Illinois Senate paid tribute to Ronald Reagan on the day before his 92nd birthday with the Feb. 5 adoption of a resolution that Brady co-sponsored.

 

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Senate Joint Resolution 2 recognizes Feb. 6 of each year as Ronald Reagan Day to honor the former president's birthday.

Ronald Reagan is an Illinois native, and it is said with pride that he was born and raised here. His efforts on behalf of democracy and freedom changed the course of world history. He also has the distinction of being our nation's longest-living president. The Illinois Senate wishes him a very happy 92 birthday.

Senate Joint Resolution 2, which passed with bipartisan support, praised Reagan as "a man of humble beginnings" who restored "accountability and common sense to government." It now moves to the House of Representative for further consideration.

College Illinois enrollment extends through March 31

Families wanting to invest in their children's future college education at today's prices have until March 31 to enroll "College Illinois!," the state's prepaid tuition program.

Different plans are available and can be purchased with a lump-sum payment or monthly installments over five or 10 years. The program allows the purchaser to pay for one community college semester up to four years at a public university.

Contract benefits also may be used at Illinois private colleges and out-of-state colleges, both private and public. Once a plan is purchased, anyone -- grandparents, relatives, family friends -- can make a payment on behalf of the beneficiary.

The program is completely tax-exempt in Illinois, and its designation as a 529 plan ensures that contract earnings are also exempt from federal income tax.

For information and applications, go to www.collegeillinois.com or call toll-free 1 (877) 877-3724.

Second semester intern

Jordan Ault of Pekin, a junior at Illinois Wesleyan University, will be working in Brady's office during the spring 2003 semester. Ault is majoring in political science, and his minor is in economics and human services management.

 

General Assembly scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for the General Assembly scholarship. Applicants must be permanent residents of the 44th Legislative District. Anyone interested in applying should send a letter requesting an application to Sen. Bill Brady, 2203 Eastland Drive, Suite. 3, Bloomington, IL 61704. Brady will be accepting applications until March 14.

Future dates

Saturday, Feb. 8 -- Illinois Heart and Lung Foundation Heart of Gold Gala

Tuesday, Feb. 11 -- Speech at Sunrise Rotary Club meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 12 -- Sangamon County Republican 99th Lincoln Day luncheon

Thursday, Feb. 13 -- Economic Development Council of the Bloomington/Normal Area breakfast

Friday, Feb. 14 -- WJBC program with R.C. McBride, 10-11 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 14 -- Logan County Lincoln Day dinner

Sen. Brady speaks on WJBC radio at 7 a.m. on the first Monday of the month.

[News release from Sen. Bill Brady]


Blagojevich signs bill to
assist military families

Executive order ensures full pay to state workers called up

[FEB. 8, 2003]  NORTH RIVERSIDE -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich participated Friday in the official send-off of members of two Illinois National Guard units who will be supporting U.S. military efforts overseas.

The governor also used the occasion to sign legislation that would provide much-needed relief to the families of Guard members and reservists who face increased financial burdens when a wage-earner is called up for duty. In addition, Blagojevich signed an executive order ensuring consistent pay for state workers who serve in such units.

Blagojevich reviewed members of the 933rd Military Police Unit and the 1244th Transportation Company prior to their deployment. Approximately 350 members of the units will be sent to the United States Central Command theater of operations, where they will provide support for Operation Enduring Freedom.

"On behalf of the people of Illinois, I wish each of you a successful and safe mission," the governor said.

"I also want to express to you the deep gratitude of people around this state," he said.

He called the men and women of the Illinois National Guard the living embodiment of the "citizen soldiers" envisioned by America's founding fathers.

Blagojevich also cited the "enormous contributions" made to this effort by the families of the Guard and Reserve members, as well as the challenges that they face.

"It is fitting that we use this occasion to recognize their role, too, and to honor their special service, and help ease some of the burdens they face," he added, as he prepared to sign into law the Illinois Military Families Relief Fund Act.

"This act recognizes that tremendous pressures are placed on the families of men and women who are sent to serve," he said.

The act establishes a trust fund allowing the families of Guard members and reservists to receive emergency financial grants and general financial support, helping make up the decline in household income that occurs when a wage-earner is called up to service.

 

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The fund will be financed through a voluntary checkoff on people's income tax forms, "giving all Illinois taxpayers the chance to play a direct and meaningful role in helping military families meet their financial needs."

Blagojevich praised the efforts of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who was instrumental in the passage of the bill. He also cited the work of Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, and Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, two of the sponsors of the bill, who were also scheduled to attend.

The ceremony was at the North Riverside armory.

The governor also congratulated several members of military families who led the efforts on the home front to help military families -- in particular, Brenda and Karlas Robinzine, Mary Beth and Will Beiersdorf, and Beth and Peter Kell. While the three men had been deployed to guard Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following Sept, 11, 2001, their wives worked with Quinn to encourage the General Assembly to pass the bill.

Blagojevich also cited the contributions made by employers across this state who enable workers to devote time to training for and service in the Guard and Reserves.

In addition to the legislation, Blagojevich also signed an executive order on Friday. The measure will ensure that all state employees who are members of the Guard and Reserves continue to receive the same level of pay and benefits when called up to serve.

"I am proud to be here today with you," the governor said to the Guard members as they prepared to deploy, adding: "I look forward to the day when we welcome you back to Illinois."

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]


Bomke supports bipartisan
cooperation on the budget

[FEB. 8, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, joined his Senate Republican colleagues Thursday in asking for bipartisan cooperation on addressing the budget crisis. The caucus offered Senate Bill 350, which gives the governor the tools he needs to correct the nearly $1 billion deficit for fiscal 2003. Senate Republicans also called for a budget summit to begin immediate talks on the fiscal 2004 budget. This is in addition to granting the governor's request to delay his budget message until April.

[News release from Sen. Larry Bomke]


[Pictured (right to left) are Sens. Kathleen L. "Kay" Wojcik, R-Schaumburg; Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville; Bomke; Brad Burzynski, R-Sycamore; Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin; and Frank Watson, R-Greenville.]

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