Happy New Year and welcome to 2021! I’m sure you agree that 2020 was a year we will never forget.
Our lives are forever changed because of COVID-19. Some of us have lost loved ones and others have experienced significant difficulty tied to the economic fallout that resulted from the pandemic and Executive Orders issued by Governor JB Pritzker. Many have struggled to receive unemployment benefits owed to them and others have found themselves victims of identity fraud due to shortcomings within the state’s Department of Employment Security. Still others have watched their small businesses go under.
But with this new year upon us, I am pushing for better decision-making in 2021; decision-making that includes input from legislators, and finds balance between people’s physical health, people’s mental health, and the health of our state’s economy. As I push an agenda of balance and decisions that include legislative input, I wish you and your family a safe, happy, prosperous, and BETTER 2021!
Legislators to Return to Springfield for Lame Duck Session on Jan 8
After months of House Republicans demanding the legislature convene to help with managing the State of Illinois’ response to the pandemic, a bit of good news came on that front earlier this week.
House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Chief of Staff emailed legislators on December 30 to inform us that the Illinois House will return to Springfield on January 8th through January 12th and will meet at the Bank of Springfield Center just like we did in May for the final days of the 101st General Assembly.
The failures of the administration in running critical functions of the government has gone on unabated for months. Illinois’ Department of Employment Security has mismanaged its response to the pandemic so badly, that legislators have been demanding hearings for months. The delays, fraud, and the fact that people can’t even get through to talk to someone about any of these things is inexcusable.
Other areas of state government, including the processing FOID cards and Concealed Carry Licenses (some people are experiencing delays of nearly a year) has been an unmitigated disaster. Legislative oversight hearings are needed to identify issues and make processes work better and faster for our citizens.
102nd General Assembly Inauguration Set for January 13 in Springfield
The 118 members of the Illinois House of Representatives and 59 State Senators will take the oath of office in Springfield on Wednesday, January 13. It remains the honor of my lifetime to serve you in the House of Representatives.
In this new 102nd General Assembly, I will continue to vote for measures that promote fiscal responsibility and economic growth, and will continue fighting against legislation that I believe hurts taxpayers or is damaging to our state. I will also be a loud voice that promotes oversight of the governor and his administration as we continue to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and political fallout.
Through this newsletter, I will continue to bring you the news you need to know from Springfield and beyond. I truly appreciate your continued readership and your comments, concerns, and suggestions. Please keep them coming!