February 22, 2010
Honorable Governor Pat Quinn
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Governor Quinn,

We are writing with regard to the state’s FY10 appropriations to state public universities and community colleges.  Within this last month, and into the next month, the State of Illinois will receive, at minimum, $4 billion coming into state coffers via various sources (the pension borrowing initiative at $840 million, the Family Care lawsuit settlement at $400 million, additional federal funds at around $1.025 billion, and COGFA has indicated at least $1.5 billion will come in from March and April tax collections, to name a few). We are aware that in recent weeks efforts have been made to begin paying down the backlog of payments owed to human services providers and K-12 school districts in the state. We support these efforts and agree they must continue. However, with the large amount of funds coming in, we are asking that higher education be included in the efforts as well.

Therefore, we respectfully request a meeting with you to discuss the appropriations for these institutions, or, if more suitable to you, you may simply notify us and the institutions of your timeline (and dollar amounts) for payment of the public universities’ FY10 appropriations. We appreciate your assistance in this matter on behalf of the college students of Illinois. Continue reading »

Macomb, IL…In response to a controversial report issued by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, State Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) is sponsoring legislation that will ensure women in Illinois continue to have easy access to mammogram screenings at the age of 40.

“The recommendations issued by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force are quite confusing and in contradiction with the American Cancer Society’s statistics that early detection is the best way to prevent the most common cancer in women,” said Rep. Myers.  “This legislation will continue to recommend that women in their forties receive annual mammograms and ensure these vital services will be available throughout the state of Illinois for the foreseeable future.”

The recent finding by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force suggests that women have mammogram screenings every two years beginning at the age of 50.  However in stark contrast, the American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual breast cancer screenings starting at the age of 40.  The American Cancer Society backs up their recommendations with the fact that breast cancer, the leading cancer among women, has a 96% survival rate when detected at its earliest stages.

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Campaign Finance Proposal Lacks Real Reform

Last week, the House and Senate passed a campaign finance reform measure that does very little to reduce the influence of money in state politics and further strengthens the power of legislative leaders.

The legislation considered during the last week of veto session did contain a few positive aspects, such as timelier reporting of contributions and random audits of campaign accounts.  However, the potential negative consequences and the failure to address the central theme of reducing the influence of money in state politics far outweigh any possible benefits.  If reforming the campaign finance system is truly going to restore the publics’ trust in state government then the people of Illinois deserve a reform measure that treats everyone equally, not another proposal that carves out exemptions for powerful political bosses.

Senate Bill 1466, sponsored by Speaker Michael Madigan, includes campaign contribution caps for individuals, corporations, unions and political action committees, but does not limit contributions from a political party or caucus PAC to a candidate during the general election.  While SB 1466 limits party and caucus contributions to candidates during primary contests, it allows for unlimited contributions during a general election.  Political parties normally do not spend large sums of money during primary campaigns, but often dump millions of dollars during general elections to retain incumbent districts or gain additional seats.

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Springfield, IL…State Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) was disappointed by the recent action taken by the Illinois House on a campaign finance reform proposal that does very little to reduce the influence of money in state politics.

“Over the last several months, legislative leaders and reforms groups have been meeting regularly trying to craft a responsible proposal that reforms our broken campaign finance system,” said Rep. Myers.  “There was some very good progress made, but in the end the House Speaker and the democrat majority settled for another watered-down bill which does nothing to limit the extremely large contributions from legislative leaders and state parties.”

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Springfield, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) joined other House members in unanimously approving legislation that will restore funding for college students expecting 2010 spring semester MAP grants.  “The measure that was passed is far from ideal, but what it will do is provide a level of assurance to students who are counting on MAP grants to attend classes at the beginning of next year,” said Rep. Myers.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides grants for 140,000 of the states’ most at need students to help supplement the financial cost of attending college.  The average family income of those who depend on MAP grants to attend a higher education facility in the state of Illinois is below $24,000 per year.

“Many of these students count on MAP grants and a number of them likely would not have the opportunity to earn a college diploma without the financial assistance MAP provides,” Myers said.  “It was imperative that we approve funding for the MAP program as quickly as possible in order to give students time to financially plan for the spring semester and ensure students don’t make dramatic decisions that could negatively affect their future.” Continue reading »

Macomb, IL…State Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) joined a group of his colleagues this week in offering a proposal that would pump millions of dollars into the Monetary Award Program (MAP) Reserve Fund without raising taxes on Illinoisans.  The additional revenue would be used for the payment of 2010 MAP grants to eligible students for the spring collegiate semester.

House Bill 4622 would create a tax amnesty program for residents and corporations who owe back taxes dating from June 20, 2002 until the beginning of next year.  A window to pay delinquent taxes without having to pay late penalties or interest fees would be established from January 1^st through February 15, 2010.  All the revenue generated during the amnesty period would be used for the MAP program, which currently has no funds allocated for the 2010 spring semester.

“140,000 students receive financial assistance through MAP grants each year to attend college in Illinois,” said Rep. Myers.  “Many of these students count on MAP grants and planned their budgets well in advance anticipating the funds, only to recently be told the grant money is no longer available.

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Macomb, IL…If an individual is caught driving on a suspended or revoked license, when the subsequent suspension was the result of a reckless homicide conviction, the offender may have to forfeit their vehicle under a new law sponsored by Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) and signed by Governor Quinn.

House Bill 253 reinstates the “seizure and forfeiture” provision that was inadvertently removed from a law passed last year which increased penalties for driving on a revoked license when the underlying suspension was based upon a conviction of reckless homicide.  Because the forfeiture of a vehicle was eliminated, it did not allow prosecutors the legal authority to seize a vehicle from a defendant who continued to drive after their driving privileges were revoked due to a reckless driving conviction.

“We need to send a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated on Illinois’ roadways,” said Rep. Myers.  “The offender in these particular cases has already taken the life of an innocent victim and they obviously continue to ignore law enforcement by driving while suspended.  If they repeatedly break the laws and further endanger motorists, we will seize their vehicle and they may potentially end up in jail.”

Macomb, IL…State Representative Rich Myers (R-Macomb) was pleased to hear this week that Governor Pat Quinn put his final stamp of approval on legislation that will allow family members residing with soldiers deployed overseas to use the same absentee ballot process as members of the Armed Forces.

House Bill 1131, signed by Governor Quinn on Monday, will allow dependents residing with an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, who has been deployed overseas, to apply for an absentee voting ballot by fax or electronic transmission.  The ballots can then be returned by mail, a licensed delivery service (UPS, Fed Ex, ect…) or in person by a relative of the voter to the proper election authorities.

“With this new law in place it should make the election process much easier and less time consuming for military families stationed overseas,” said Rep. Myers.  “The last thing families’ accompanying their loved ones on active duty should worry about is their vote being disqualified or the hassle associated with the current voting procedure.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D – Rushville) and State Rep. Rich Myers (R – Macomb) sponsored legislation that will speed up and streamline drainage district projects by raising the cost threshold for the competitive bid process. Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law on Monday.

“The current maximum amount by which drainage districts are required to hold competitive bidding was established half a century ago, and obviously since that time costs have risen dramatically,” Rep. Myers said.  “The new law will bring the competitive bid threshold in line with modern day prices, thus speeding up the timeline which drainage projects can be completed.  This is extremely important for time sensitive projects in western Illinois drainage districts, particularly those located along the Mississippi River, which can be hampered by weather delays.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Sen. John Sullivan (D – Rushville) and state Rep. Rich Myers (R – Macomb) announced today that legislation supporting economic redevelopment efforts in downtown Macomb was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Senate Bill 242, sponsored by Sullivan and Myers, extends the city’s downtown tax increment financing (TIF) district for an additional 12 years. TIF districts allow municipalities to pool property tax revenues from local units of government to support development in economically disadvantaged areas.

“Macomb has made significant progress in re-developing the downtown area,” Sen. Sullivan said. “TIF districts are a valuable tool to attract businesses, create jobs and spur economic development. In these tough economic times, local communities need all available resources to encourage development.”

“TIF districts are often one of the best incentives to attract economic developments for cities, such as Macomb,” Rep. Myers said.  “With the difficult job market and rising unemployment rates it is imperative that we capitalize on every opportunity to bring in new businesses and good paying jobs for our region.”

Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead thanked Sullivan and Myers for their support of the city’s redevelopment efforts. “We’re so appreciative of all Senator Sullivan and Representative Myers’ work on the TIF extension in Macomb,” Wisslead said. ”We got all the taxing bodies together and they realize how important this is for the city and the downtown. With the Senator and Representative’s help, it sailed right through the House and Senate.”