Illinois Briefs - 8/24/11

Governor Quinn Puts Vet Pen To Work

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn put his veto pen to work yesterday.  He amended Senate Bill 170, which establishes a locally owned account that provides loans to deaf and hard of hearing students who want to attend college.  Quinn says he'll approve the measure if lawmakers ensure the money is used for its intended purpose and any interest accrued goes into the account.

Governor Sends Bill Back To Lawmakers

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn amendatory vetoed Senate Bill 90 yesterday.  The bill removes the requirement that Secretary of State driver facilities have deputy registrars and be permanent places for voter registration.  Quinn's suggests lawmakers establish a Veterans' Advocate as an official of local government to coordinate veteran services, act as a liaison between units of government and veterans, and promote measures by which local governments and agencies may assist the veteran population in the areas of job creation, education, housing, health care and other issues.

Jacksonville Republican Wants Help For Business Climate

(Jacksonville, IL)  --  Jacksonville Republican State Representative Jim Watson sat in on a meeting between a pair of Illinois House and Senate Revenue Committees yesterday.  He says he hopes action will be taken to change regulations so the Illinois business climate will be stimulated.  Watson says it's one thing to have a hearing but a totally different thing to implement change that will have a positive impact on business in the state.  Watson has long called for more business friendly laws at the state level.  He says there are only a handful of states with a higher workman's comp rate than Illinois and addressing that would be one step in the right direction.

LaHood and Moffitt To Host Senior Fair

(Galesburg, IL)  --  State Senator Darin LaHood and State Representative Don Moffitt are teaming up to help seniors.  The duo will host a senior fair in Galesburg tomorrow from 8 a.m until noon.  Seniors can come out and get free screenings for cholesterol, body mass index, fibromyalgia, blood typing, glaucoma, and hearing.   They can also take advantage of a free massage and Yoga demonstrations.  The fair will be held at the McAteer Center in Galesburg.

Illinois' Unemployment Rate Tops National Rate

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois' unemployment rate is now higher than the national rate.  The state lost nearly 25-thousand jobs in July.  Add that to June and you have more than 32-thousand people who became unemployed in the two-month period.  That puts Illinois ahead of California and Ohio  --  two states known for high jobless rates.  Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president at the Illinois Policy Institute, says it can be blamed partly on the recent state income tax hike.  She says, quote, "The policies currently in place  --  higher taxes, more spending, and unreformed liabilities  --  are clearly not working for those who are struggling to make ends meet."

Twelve-Hundred Jobs Coming To Chicago's South Side

(Chicago, IL)  --  Development on Chicago's South side is expected to put 12-hundred people to work.  Governor Quinn approved a construction job near the Ford Motor Company, which is expected to relieve rail and vehicle traffic.  Much of the funding for the 146-million-dollar project will come from the Illinois Jobs Now capital program.

Quinn Signs Three Laws To Protect Servicemen

(Springfield, IL)  --  There are three new laws on the books, designed to protect veterans and support military families.  The first is aimed at children of active duty servicemen and women.  It requires both public and private schools to allow students to identify themselves as having parents serving in active duty.  This way schools can provide any necessary support and counseling the student may need.  Another measure encourages more first responders, including state troopers and members of the National Guard, to complete additional emergency medical training and become certified EMTs.  And the last bill ensures that additional tax and pension benefits are granted to Illinois service members who are absent from work because of active duty military service.