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Rep. Maurice West to host Mother’s Day lunch

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Thursday

May 9, 2019 at 12:55 PM May 9, 2019 at 12:55 PM

ROCKFORD — State Rep. Maurice West II, D-Rockford, will host a free Mother’s Day luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11 at Cliffbreakers Event and Conference Center, 700 W. Riverside Blvd.
 
The Mother’s Day Luncheon will feature former state Rep. Litesa Wallace as a keynote speaker, and food served will come from women-owned local businesses.

RSVP requested: 815-987-7433; contact@staterepwest.com.

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State

via State – Rockford Register Star http://bit.ly/2GcEZjd

May 9, 2019 at 01:06PM

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Son of former state representative appointed to replace Costello in Illinois House – Belleville News-Democrat

http://bit.ly/2vUvMVn

Son of former state representative appointed to replace Costello in Illinois house

Conservative Democratic state Reps. Jerry Costello II and Monica Bristow

With Democrats having a supermajority in the Illinois House, what does that mean for conservative Democrats Jerry Costello of Smithton and Monica Bristow of Godfrey? How much leverage do they have? How tough is it for them to push their views? By

With Democrats having a supermajority in the Illinois House, what does that mean for conservative Democrats Jerry Costello of Smithton and Monica Bristow of Godfrey? How much leverage do they have? How tough is it for them to push their views? By

A Steeleville man has been appointed to replace former state Rep. Jerry Costello II, and he has a familiar last name.

Nathan Reitz, the son of former state Rep. Dan Reitz, was appointed by the Democratic Party chairman in Perry, Randolph, Monroe and St. Clair Counties to finish Costello’s term. On Tuesday, Costello was named as the director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Resources.

“As a lifelong Southern Illinoisan, I know that our community deserves a representative who will continue fighting every day for Southern Illinois and our values,” Nathan Reitz said. “Having spent my career in the energy industry, I am determined to help grow our local economy and making the decisions that help create new jobs. As state representative, I will fight every day to protect our Second Amendment rights, provide tax relief and responsible budget making, and make sure that Southern Illinois always has a strong voice in Springfield. There is a lot to accomplish, and I look forward to working together with my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to make Southern Illinois and our state a better place to live and work in.”

Among the issues facing the general assembly, where Democrats have supermajorities in both chambers, is whether to support key parts of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s agenda. The first year governor has called for going to a progressive income tax system in the state and legalizing recreational marijuana to help bring additional revenue to the state.

Costello, the son of former Congressman Jerry Costello, opposed both measures.

The Illinois Republican Party was quick to criticize the appointment.

“The fix is in. One of the last votes Nathan Reitz’s father, former State Rep. Dan Reitz, took was Mike Madigan’s 2011 tax hike,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said. “Now, Pritzker and Madigan want one of the first votes of Nathan Reitz to be yet another tax hike on Illinois families and small businesses. Tax-hiking is the Reitz family business. Reitz must follow Jerry Costello’s lead and oppose the Pritzker-Madigan-backed graduated income tax. If Reitz supports the tax hike, voters and taxpayers will make Reitz’s tenure in the General Assembly a short one.”

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Feeds,News,State,Politics

via “Illinois Politics” – Google News http://bit.ly/2Sc9ojT

May 9, 2019 at 04:39PM

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New caucus as auditor whacks DCFS

http://bit.ly/2JlCV9c

We’ll never know how close State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) came to being another Semaj Crosby, A.J. Freund, or Ta’naja Barnes.

“I was exposed to opiates in the womb from my birth mother,” Moeller told a Statehouse news conference. “The state took me away and placed me in the care of my loving grandparents.”

Moeller is now a co-chair of the newly-formed Illinois House Child Welfare Reform Caucus. The bipartisan group of representatives hopes to finally get the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services turned around.

State Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), a lawmaker of more than thirty years’ tenure, says it’s only gotten worse over those years.

“We are the cause that a lot of families are split up,” she said. “We are the cause that a lot of families are on alcohol and drugs. We are the cause that a lot of families have to work three part-time jobs and then still come home and take care of their children.”

And a man who says he is a survivor of abuse, James McIntyre, said, “We left families alone. We left families stranded. We let that kid know that his voice does not matter.” McIntyre is co-founder of the Illinois chapter of the Foster Care Alumni Association of America.

McIntyre added that abuse and neglect crosses all racial, income, and religious lines.

The new caucus was announced the same day as an auditor general’s report which said calls to the DCFS hotline went to voicemail and were not returned for a week; and that caseworkers are overloaded to illegal levels.

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Region: Springfield,News,Region: Central,City: Springfield

via News – Newsradio 1240 & 93.5 FM WTAX https://wtax.com

May 7, 2019 at 07:05PM

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Pritzker names Costello II DNR Law Enforcement Director

http://bit.ly/2vIF6f1

Pritzker names Costello II DNR Law Enforcement Director

Posted: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 11:47 AM EDT Updated: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 11:49 AM EDT

SPRINGFIELD (WSIL) — State Rep. Jerry Costello II has resigned from his house seat to become the Director of Law Enforcement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. JB Pritzker appointed Costello to the role Tuesday. Costello II, (D-Smithton), represented Illinois’ 116th district since 2011 upon graduation from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and military service in Iraq under the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

“After serving his country in the battlefields of Iraq and the people of Southern Illinois in the statehouse, I’m thrilled Jerry Costello is continuing his public service by leading law enforcement at the Department of Natural Resources,” said Pritzker. “His wide-ranging experience brings much value to an important piece of state government.”

Costello II resigned from his house seat Tuesday. He also chaired the Agriculture and Conservation committee.

“It’s an honor to lead the dedicated group of men and women who keep Illinoisans safe while they enjoy our state’s natural resources,” said Costello II. “I’m excited to start this new chapter, and I thank Gov. Pritzker for the opportunity to serve.”

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Feeds,News,Region: Southern,Region: Carbondale

via WSIL – News http://bit.ly/2jOahgw

May 7, 2019 at 10:52AM

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Rep. Jerry Costello resigns from House, takes IDNR top cop job

http://bit.ly/2Vi4asF

* Other governors might have made Jerry wait until after the session so he could vote with the governor’s agenda. But Gov. Bruce Rauner did the same sort of thing by appointing legislators who didn’t love his policies to top agency jobs (pro-AFSCME folks like Raymond Poe) and then replacing them with people who would be more, um, amenable…

Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker appointed state Rep. Jerry Costello II to serve as the Director of Law Enforcement at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“After serving his country in the battlefields of Iraq and the people of Southern Illinois in the statehouse, I’m thrilled Jerry Costello is continuing his public service by leading law enforcement at the Department of Natural Resources,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “His wide-ranging experience brings much value to an important piece of state government.”

“It’s an honor to lead the dedicated group of men and women who keep Illinoisans safe while they enjoy our state’s natural resources,” said state Rep. Jerry Costello II. “I’m excited to start this new chapter, and I thank Gov. Pritzker for the opportunity to serve.”

Background

Jerry Costello II will serve as the Director of Law Enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Costello has represented the 116th district in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2011 and currently chairs the Agriculture and Conservation committee. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Costello decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Not long after signing up, he and his unit saw combat during Operation Desert Storm. Following his military service in Iraq, Costello returned to Illinois where he became a police officer and started a family. Initially a patrolman, he would rise through the ranks and become assistant chief of police. Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Costello lives in Smithton with his wife Lori and their three children.

Beginning his transition into the new role, Rep. Costello resigned from his House seat effective today.

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CF

via Capitol Fax.com http://capitolfax.com

May 7, 2019 at 10:41AM

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Bristow Honors Fallen Firefighter | Alton Daily News

http://bit.ly/2UWQI8C

This week on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives, state Rep. Monica Bristow of Alton, presented House Resolution 190 to honor the life of Godfrey Fire Captain Jake Ringering who lost his life in the line of duty on March 5th, while fighting a house fire.

Bristow hosted Captain Ringering’s wife and three children, along with other members of his family, firefighters from Godfrey and East Alton and other Riverbend area lawmakers.

Bristow offered these words to honor the late fire fighter:

“Jake was a dedicated member of our community, doing what he did best, which was protecting others and keeping us safe. He was a leader to so many and touched and saved countless lives in the process and showed us what bravery is,” said Bristow. “He was a devoted husband and father, to his wife, Alison, and children, Nora, Elaina, and Logan. He always put his family first, and was a loving son, brother, and brother-in-law who never met a stranger. We were joined by his wife and children, parents, many local firefighters, and countless friends and other family members, who helped us honor his life and his dedication to keeping our families safe. It is important that we all take a moment to remember, and to thank those that put their lives on the line every single day to protect the safety of all of us.”

(Photo:  Rep. Monica Bristow, Ringering family, Sen. Michelle Crowe)

 

(Copyright WBGZ Radio/ www.AltonDailyNews.com)

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via Alton Daily News

May 3, 2019 at 05:08PM

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Rep. Yednock acts to raise awareness of veteran suicide

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SPRINGFIELD — To bring attention to the recent epidemic of suicide among veterans, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring a resolution that supports veterans who may be facing mental illness. It also requests the state create a memorial for veterans who have been lost due to suicide.

“As the son of a United States Marine, I know that the physical and mental scars suffered abroad by our bravest citizens are often brought back home and can last forever,” Yednock said.

“That’s why we need to make it clear to our veterans that we support them in many ways, not just with words, but with action. As a state, we should both honor our fallen heroes and do everything we can to support future and current veterans who may face mental illness by providing the services and support that they deserve.”

Many veterans returning from active duty experience physical and psychological ailments. In 2016, the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times greater than non-veterans and accounted for 14 percent of all adult suicide deaths in the U.S, even though only 8 percent of the population has served in the military. In 2016, 162 veterans died by suicide in Illinois.

House Resolution 168 states support for veterans currently struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts and pays tribute to veterans who have lost their lives to suicide. HR 168 encourages the state of Illinois to create a memorial for veterans who have died of suicide to be included at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, where other war memorials commemorate Illinois’ veterans.

“It’s important to establish a memorial to honor our veterans who have been lost to suicide, because they are still very much casualties of war,” Yednock said.

“By having a physical memorial erected here in Illinois, we not only pay tribute to them, but future generations can learn about one of the many real world consequences of military intervention abroad. As state representative, I am committed to supporting our veterans and ensuring that they have available access to the quality services and care that they need.”

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via | Tonica News

May 3, 2019 at 06:55AM

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Bristow hosts prayer breakfast for religious leaders

http://bit.ly/2WiY6wA

State Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) hosted local pastors and faith leaders for a prayer breakfast on Friday to hear their thoughts and concerns on current state issues, and ways to strengthen local communities and improve the Riverbend region.

“The Metro East is incredibly fortunate to have so many churches, pastors and faith leaders who openly participate in our communities and provide much-needed support to local families,” Bristow said. “I truly appreciate our pastors and faith leaders taking the time to offer their prayers for our state and its leadership, and for sharing their thoughts with me on how we can put Illinois back on the right track. Their guidance is something that I value and carry with me as I continue to serve our residents. I also enjoyed hearing about all of the good work they are doing to help our friends and neighbors, and I look forward to working with them more in their efforts to make our region its best.”

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via AdVantageNEWS.com

April 29, 2019 at 08:59PM

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State Rep. Joyce Mason to host diaper drive

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GURNEE – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is hosting a diaper drive that will lead up to Mother’s Day, concluding on May 11.

All diapers collected will be donated to Twice As Nice Mother & Child, a nonprofit organization that distributes more than a quarter million diapers each year to families in need throughout Lake County.�

“Diapers are imperative to ensuring families have ample opportunity to succeed in life. Oftentimes, quality child care facilities will not accept a child into their program if that child will not be brought with his or her own supply of diapers,” Mason said in a news release. “This can lead to many already struggling parents being unable to find steady, secure employment because they are lacking viable child care options.”

Residents interested in participating in the drive can bring diapers to Mason’s office at 36100 Brookside Drive in Gurnee during regular business hours. To find an alternative time or location to donate, contact Mason’s constituent service office at 847-485-9986 or email info@repjoycemason.com.�

“I am a single mother myself. I understand that there are countless, complex issues facing families today, but being forced to choose between buying diapers or buying baby formula should not be one of them,” Mason said in the release. “Children deserve to grow up in healthy, nurturing environments, and parents deserve to have the ability to give that to them.”�

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Region: Lake County,Letters,Region: Suburbs,Opinion

via Lake County Journal http://bit.ly/2GxaodQ

April 24, 2019 at 03:40PM

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