Women’s Voices Illinois Blog

Agenda for Action puts Taxpayers over Politics

With the election less than three months away, Republican candidates running for the Illinois House of Representatives have announced an Agenda for Action to reform Illinois state government. Candidates from across the state have been promoting this new agenda in a series of town hall meetings over the past month.

The agenda has seven objectives ranging from returning fiscal responsibility to state government to protecting children from online predators, but here are some specific proposals from the agenda that I think Illinois taxpayers will appreciate the most:

- Creating REAL balanced budgets. The way the State currently operates, any expenses that the State can’t pay for out of the current year’s budget can be transferred to the next year to create the appearance of a balanced budget. This just pawns the responsibility for reducing the budget deficit onto future generations. The Agenda for Action includes measures to ban the transfer of unpaid obligations from one fiscal year to the next and require that proposed budgets be available for public scrutiny before legislators vote on them.

- Cracking down on “Pay to Play” politics in Illinois. The Agenda for Action calls for enacting the Nation’s toughest Anti-Corruption Laws by banning government officials from soliciting contributions from contractors conducting business with the State and increasing public disclosure requirements for consultants and advisors to State boards and commissions.

- Making Higher Education More Affordable. Education is key to ensuring Illinois children can compete in a global economy. The Agenda for Action seeks to reduce tuition rates and increase financial aid opportunities at state universities. It also calls for placing a greater priority on accepting qualified in-state students for admission.

What I like about the Agenda for Action is that this isn’t Republicans complaining about what’s wrong in Springfield — instead they are offering some real, constructive solutions to the problems facing our State.

As the Daily Herald reflected in an editorial following one of the town hall meetings:

“Illinois House Republicans are saying the right things on what the state must do to honor its commitments to the public to be ethically and fiscally responsible in managing tax dollars and providing services.”

But in order for them to do the right things – voters need to elect them in November. Here are some local women candidates who participated in the town halls to show their support for the Agenda for Action: Peggy Brothman of Hoffman Estates, Anita Forte-Scott of Schaumburg, Kay Hatcher of Yorkville, Rep. Rosemary Mulligan of Des Plaines, Christine Prochno of Elk Grove Village, and Darlene Senger of Naperville.

If you agree with what’s on the agenda and you live in district of one of these candidates, I encourage you to contact them to see how you can support their campaign efforts. And, as always, please voice in and let us know what you think of the Agenda for Action.

Posted by April Green

1 comment August 25th, 2008

Three Bills Illinois Moms Should Know About

Every year, thousands of pieces of legislation come before the Illinois General Assembly. It is no easy task to sift through all the bills and determine which might impact your family. That’s why I have identified three bills from this legislative session that every Illinois mom should know about: SB 2091, SB 1900 and HB 2769.

All three bills await a final vote before they can be sent to the governor for his signature. Hopefully, legislators will have the opportunity to cast their votes for these pieces of legislation when they return to Springfield for the fall veto session.

#1. Protecting Children from Teacher Misconduct
According to an investigation conducted by the Small Newspaper Group last January, Illinois is ranked 49th in suspending and revoking teacher’s certificates for misconduct. DCFS has received 3,871 credible complaints on this issue but not one resulted in a suspension or revocation of a teaching certificate.

Senate Bill 2091 strengthens the state’s procedures for suspending and revoking teaching certificates when an educator has grossly failed to perform their duties or has committed a crime that places students in jeopardy. The State Teacher Certification Board will become the final decision-maker on suspensions and revocations of teaching certificates. The bill also requires the State’s Attorney to notify the State Superintendent of Schools if there is reasonable cause to believe an educator has committed an act of abuse or neglect.

#2. Insurance Coverage for Children with Autism
Senate Bill 1900, would require Illinois health insurance companies to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder. Currently, insurance providers are not required to provide the important coverage. This legislation requires insurers to provide extended autism coverage for children up to age 21, with a maximum of $36,000 per year. Insurance coverage would include the following care: psychiatric, psychological, therapeutic, pharmacy, and other treatments and programs related to autism.

The bill does not limit the amount of visits to an autism care provider. Insurers would also be required to consider autism the same as any other physical illness, charging the same co-payments or deductibles.

#3. Sex Offender Registration Reform
House Bill 2769 makes changes under the Sex Offender Registration Act to be in compliance with the Federal Adam Walsh Act. It enhances the current registration system by providing a 3-tiered registration system that would require sex offenders (defined as sexually dangerous persons, sexually violent persons, or sexual predators) convicted of certain enumerated crimes to register for life. Other less serious crimes could result in a 15-year or 10-year, registration period.

Post your opinions on these bills or contact your state legislator and let them know what you think. Find your legislator.

2 comments June 9th, 2008