Macomb, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) was honored with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise Award for his outstanding legislative record of supporting pro-job and pro-business policies in the General Assembly.  Over the past five General Assemblies Rep. Myers has averaged an over 90% pro-business voting record.

“The national recession combined with Illinois’ terrible budget situation has created an unstable, unreliable economic environment throughout the state,” said Rep. Myers.  “If we are going to return Illinois to national economic leader we must create a positive business environment where the private sector is not hampered with higher taxes and additional regulations.  It is imperative that we put in place policies that encourage growth and investment here in Illinois, and capitalize on the immense talent within our state.”

The Chamber’s ratings are based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation of the 96th General Assembly. The votes in the Senate and House are selected based on their impact on the business community and, to a lesser extent, the gap between opposing views on the issue. The votes are weighted accordingly.

“The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize legislators that have made special contributions in the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans,” said Todd Maisch, the Chamber’s Vice President for Government Affairs.  “Legislators with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85% or better over the previous three General Assemblies have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit and qualify for the award.”

The budget discussion and fiscal matters rightfully dominated the attention of the legislature this year.  However, there were a number of other very important issues on the agenda.  Some of those measures were addressed, while others were stalled.  Below are a few of those proposals and what they intended to accomplish.

Unfunded Future Mandates

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) and Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) took a tour of one of central Illinois’ greatest and newest natural assets this week; both came away impressed with the Fulton County development.

Emiquon Preserve is a premier Illinois wetland created on 7100 acres between Peoria and Havana, through the Nature Conservancy’s Illinois River Program. Started in 2007, the wetland restoration opened for fishing in 2009 with 1.7 million fish of 30 different species. Features under construction include boardwalks, a canoe launch, boat launch, hiking trails, and observation decks, making Emiquon an ideal site for eco-tourism.

“It was very interesting to see how successfully the Conservancy is preserving the natural biodiversity of the site and, at the same time, creating recreation and education opportunities for the region,” Senator Sullivan said. “Emiquon is attracting sportsmen and nature enthusiasts and the entire region stands to benefit from this economic development.”

“This site showcases some of the best natural assets Illinois has to offer,” said Rep. Myers.  “Our natural resources and park tourism are so important to the Illinois economy it is imperative that we ensure sites such as Emiquon are properly maintained and promoted.  I believe Emiquon Preserve will become a premier location for outdoor enthusiasts not only from Illinois, but also tourists throughout the nation.” Continue reading »

Macomb, IL… On Monday, the United States Supreme Court issued a significant ruling paving the way for the repeal of Chicago’s nearly three decade old gun ban which prevents residents from owning handguns for their personal protection.  State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) called the decision a proper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution which ensures all the residents of Illinois, including Chicago, have the same basic, guaranteed freedoms that our founding fathers envisioned centuries ago.

In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Chicago’s 28 year old handgun ban is unconstitutional and violates law-abiding citizens 2^nd Amendment right “to keep and bear arms.”  Two years ago the Supreme Court issued a similar opinion striking down Washington D.C.’s controversial handgun ban.  The most recent decision paves the way for appeals to be filed in order to repeal Chicago and other citywide handgun bans.

“This was a great day for the people of Chicago who for nearly thirty years have been denied their constitutional right to keep a handgun at their residence to defend themselves and their family,” said Rep. Myers.  “Chicago’s handgun ban created an unlevel playing field where criminals armed themselves, while ordinary residents who followed the law were left vulnerable.  For years, Chicago Alderman have been afforded the right to own a handgun, now every Chicago resident will be allowed that same level of personal protection if they choose.”

Last year there were a couple of new laws that redefined certain “non-highway” vehicles, basically creating a set of standards and regulations which would allow towns to authorize the use of such vehicles on local streets.  However, as an unintended consequence the number of new regulations hampered farmers who use such vehicles to travel to and from their homes to their fields on township and county roads.  As a result if a farmer wanted to use an ATV or other similar vehicle to run down the road to the field, they had to meet very similar legal standards that are expected when operating a car or truck.

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The Illinois House and Senate adjourned Thursday, May 28^th leaving Springfield without addressing the worst fiscal disaster in state history.  With the state teetering on the brink of insolvency, the Democrat majority refused the call to restore fiscal stability and stop the overspending of the past eight years that has left a deficit which is nearly the worst in the nation.

 The budget that passed with only democrat votes grants Governor Quinn extraordinary leeway to manage state funds and relies on gimmicks, selling one time state assets and borrowing.  The spending plan totaling $26.1 billion would allow the Governor to borrow from special state funds to the tune of $1 billion, sell tobacco settlement proceeds to capture $1.2 billion, and extend the period by four months in which the state would be able to put off paying $6 billion in overdue bills from the current fiscal year.

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Springfield, IL… With the state facing an estimated $13 billion dollar budget deficit, Illinois Democrats passed a $26.1 billion spending plan that gives the Governor extraordinary power to borrow, spend and cut as he so chooses.  State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) referred to the budget as “full of one time gimmicks that do nothing to cure the eight years of fiscal mismanagement that have created the worst deficit in state history.”

“All year long we have asked to discuss the budget and tried to offer some responsible fiscal solutions in a bi-partisan manner,” said Rep. Myers.  “But all the ideas we suggested were dismissed without discussion from the majority party.  We provided a list of substantial cuts that would preserve core government functions and reduce waste and inefficiencies.  Those were not addressed.  We introduced a number of reforms to ensure future spending remained in line with revenues.  Those were not addressed.  The only budget we were presented with was full of one time gimmicks that do nothing to put on state on a path to fiscal stability.” Continue reading »

Springfield, IL…With the state facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit and Illinois Universities waiting for $735 million in late state payments, legislators approved a measure that would allow higher education institutions to borrow money in order to make payroll and cover other expenses.  State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) referred to the plan as “far from ideal,” but said “at this point there are not a whole lot of other options available to avoid drastic consequences.”

Senate Bill 642 establishes a borrowing cap of 100% of total payroll for a university, as well as other payable vouchers which the state has failed to provide funds for. The State Comptroller would be required to certify a borrowing cap prior to any actual borrowing and universities would not be able to borrow more than 75% of the amount certified by the Comptroller.

State Universities would be required to submit an Emergency Short Term Cash Management Plan within fifteen days after borrowing any funds detailing how the money would be spent, the exact amount borrowed, and the terms of repayment.  Universities wanting to enter into a short-term borrowing agreement must do so within 90 days after this legislation is signed into law.  All lines of credit taken out by Illinois Universities under this plan must be paid in full within one year or within ten days after a university receives the money owed to them by the state. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL…State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) called the recent passage of legislation which will create the Illinois Sunshine Commission a “step forward toward reigning in uncontrolled spending on unnecessary and ineffective state programs.”

House Bill 4836, co-sponsored by State Representative Myers, would create the Illinois Sunshine Commission with the goal of conducting a thorough review of the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of state government programs.  The newly installed commission would consist of four legislators and four members of the public to make formal recommendations to the General Assembly.  Legislators would then be required to approve or reject the commission’s recommendations within sixty session days.

The Sunshine Commission would have three options when evaluating specific programs, including: the elimination of obsolete or ineffective programs; consolidation of duplicative programs; and suggestions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a program. Continue reading »

Macomb, IL…The Illinois Department of Transportation recently released its five year plan outlining road improvements and bridge repairs for the 94^th legislative district, which Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) called “the largest and most substantial road improvement program” he has ever seen for the area.

“We are going to see a large amount of road work over the course of the next couple of years, but this coming construction season is scheduled to produce 40 new projects addressing safety concerns and infrastructure improvements to our roadways and bridges,” said Rep. Myers.

Rep. Myers credited the recently passed “Illinois Jobs Now” capital construction program for the increase in infrastructure repairs.  “The road improvements along with the increased economic viability for the area and the jobs this work will bring is certainly overdue,” Rep. Myers said citing the nearly decade lapse since the previous statewide capital construction program.  “There are a number of projects scheduled for U.S. 34 including additional lanes, resurfacing and bridge replacements.  We are also going to see the Macomb bypass begin to take shape at U.S. 67 and IL 336.”

Some of the projects scheduled to begin in FY11 include:

• Four miles of widening, resurfacing and culvert extensions on U.S. 24.
• Engineering, utility adjustments and land acquisition for preparation on U.S. 34 updates.
• Bridge replacement on U.S. 67 at Cedar Creek four miles north of Monmouth.
• IL. 9 bridge replacement at La Harpe Creek one mile west of McDonough County line.
• Over three miles of resurfacing on IL. 9 from the McDonough County line to the east county line of La Harpe.
• Bridge replacement on IL. 61 at the Lamonie River.
• Over 8 miles of resurfacing at IL. 61 and IL. 94.

• Bridge Rehabilitation at CH. 17 and FAS 447 at the Spoon River in Ellisville.