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97th District Representative Benton working on policy cleanup ahead of spring legislative session in January

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As the return to Springfield gets closer for lawmakers, Plainfield-Oswego Democratic State Representative Harry Benton is getting to work on looking into clarifying some existing policies. One policy item he is looking into is helping families of students with school attendance issues due to unexcused absences for dentist and orthodontist appointments.

Benton says many schools deem those appointments as unexcused, which leads to attendance issues for students that have necessary appointments. He says an issue like this is more about cleaning up the policy’s language. Benton says he enjoys working on policy and trying to make legislation as efficient as possible for everyone.

Region: W Suburbs

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December 23, 2024 at 06:11AM

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Legislation adjusting weight limits for vehicles with alternative fuel sources part of Benton’s busy spring legislative session work

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Plainfield-Oswego State Representative Harry Benton says the upcoming spring legislative session is going to be a busy time for lawmakers, as the new General Assembly begins introducing new legislation and continuing discussions on ongoing legislative topics. Benton says he is looking forward to being back in Springfield and putting together effective policy to help his constituents.

One piece of legislation Benton has been working on is House Bill 5882, which would amend the state’s vehicle code to increase the weight limit on vehicles that run on alternative fuels. He says one company in his district is looking at rolling out a hydrogen-powered vehicle as a transport between their facilities in Plainfield.

"Working with Diageo, that happens to be in my district, and they wanna put a quieter, nicer, better truck on the road just to go 1.8 miles. So they wanna go from their facility to their warehouse right down the street. So it’s gonna be quieter for all the residents when they run all the time And then, you know, the future once they start getting this range figured out, they wanna start putting these on the road. And it’s kind of a great concept because you don’t have that lag time. It gets traffic moving faster. I mean they’re ready to go."

Benton says he has other legislation currently in the works, but he also hopes to do some work on policy cleanup and clarification. The spring legislative session will begin in January following the swearing-in of the 104th General Assembly.

Local,Region: South Suburbs,Region: Joliet

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December 20, 2024 at 12:07PM

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State Rep. Dave Vella to host FOID, CCL application assistance clinic

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BELVIDERE, Ill (WREX) – State Representative Dave Vella is set to offer a free FOID and CCL application assistance clinic. 

The assistance clinic is completely free and open to residents in the Belvidere area and will be held at Sips & Sprinkles located at 211 W. Locust Street in Belvidere.

Individuals who are interested are welcome to stop in any time between 11 A.M. until 2 P.M. on Saturday, December 18. 

Food and drinks will be available for purchase for attendees. No appointments are needed. Standard Illinois State Police processing fees apply, $11 for FOID total and $151 total for CCL. 

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December 18, 2024 at 09:51AM

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Affordable housing, state budget deficit at issue as Northern Illinois lawmakers meet with Rockford-area leaders

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A panel of Illinois senators and representatives came to Rockford on Wednesday to take questions from Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and community leaders to learn about the State’s plans for 2025.

Discussions were held on issues like gaming revenue, property taxes, and school choice at the Northern Illinois Council of Governments’ luncheon.

The state budget was the main talking point for lawmakers, with Illinois projected to have a $3.2 billion deficit next year.

Legislators from both Republican and Democratic parties agreed that they would have to make some tough decisions.

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), said, "The taxpayers just can’t afford to pay any more.  So there’s just going to have to be some cuts.  And the state has never had a revenue problem. It’s always a problem.  So we’re looking forward to trying to help find those cuts that will be as harsh.  But there’s got to be some cuts."

Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) said, "It’s a complicated issue because you take money out somewhere else, it’s going to hurt somebody else.  You put it in the property taxes and then who pays for the schools? So finding that balance is going to be tough. But there is no panacea. There’s no silver bullet that’s going to fix everything."

Housing was also a legislative priority for community leaders. Rockford has seen an explosion in housing demand. State Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) said that demand, coupled with a housing shortage nationwide, has put housing on the front of mind for many legislators.

On Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, ordering legislators to examine ways to make housing more affordable for working-class residents.

The order creates an Illinois Director of Housing Solutions, who will oversee the exploration of "how Illinois can accelerate plans to expand the supply and access of housing for working families," according to the Governor’s Office.

"My priority next year is going to be housing," West said. "The city of Rockford received accolades for being the most affordable, which is great, and that causes people to want to come. But, we’ve got to make sure we’re taking care of our own, as well."

The new year will also bring a new presidential administration, headed by Donald Trump. The state government has had conflicts with Trump’s administration in the past, and Gov. JB Pritzker has preemptively taken action to stymie anticipated federal action on illegal immigration, "gender-affirming care," and other controversial issues.

"The good news is, even though there are issues that all of us on the panel strongly disagree with each other on, there is one thing we do regularly, is we meet regularly with the unified voice to make this area known," said Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley). "And do, there are a lot of things that we work together on, a lot of projects together, and with a strong enough voice, we’ve really been able to put Northern Illinois on the map."

The Northern Illinois Council of Governments formed three years ago and now has over 20 legislative members.

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December 11, 2024 at 04:18PM

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Exit Interview: Rep. Lance Yednock “Right Decision to Step Away”

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Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) never really imagined politics was a part of his plan. A longtime heavy machine operator and Business Agent for powerful union Local 150, Yednock said he was “plucked” to run against a scandal-plagued Republican lawmaker and unpopular Governor in Republican Bruce Rauner.

“I came into this late, for a pretty narrow reason,” Yednock said. “I didn’t want to be there forever. It really I felt like I needed to be a citizen legislator, and I wasn’t going to just continue to run.”

Yednock stepped aside this year, not seeking re-election to his LaSalle-Peru to DeKalb based district.

The moderate, along with a handful of other centrist Democrats, including Rep. Larry Walsh (D-Elwood), Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield), and Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) “ruffled some feathers” in the Democratic caucus this year, nearly holding up the Democratic budget package, including forcing multiple votes on a tax increase bill at 4:30 in the morning in May.

“I think that everybody’s intention is the right thing that we want to,” Yednock said. “We want to make sure the process is good. We want to make sure we’re spending money wisely, that we’re we’re trying to do the things that we can go back to our districts and say, ‘this is how we’re running government.’ I think we were always tiptoeing with that line. The Moderate caucus really wants to be just a financially responsible caucus saying, ‘if you have a good idea, we’re up for good ideas. But we also have to remember we got to pay for it.”

Yednock says Democrats, and House Speaker Chris Welch, have a tough job to manage a large, diverse caucus ranging from center-left moderates to far-left progressives.

“We are trying to figure out whether we’re a pretty far left or left of center party,” Yednock said. “The speaker’s job is to manage that and he’s taken over from probably a pretty conservative to moderate speaker for the last 50 years. He’s had some challenges, there’s no doubt about it. And I wouldn’t want his job for the world. Him navigating that is you know, one of is still going to be one of his biggest challenges, especially in light of the last election.”

Yednock admits moderates are starting to gain traction in Springfield, and he would have been more effective if he stayed another term or two.

“We stood up for some things this last year or two and had to become a caucus that people wanted to talk to and find out whether they had our support or not, mostly around financial issues, the budget, et cetera,” he said, “So that gives me pause to say I wish I would have been there another term or two to continue pushing on the things that we thought are important.”

He hasn’t flushed out future plans, but says he hopes to either return back to the Local 150 office or to begin operating heavy machinery again.

He’ll be replaced by Amy Murri-Briel, who goes by “Murri.” Briel, who previously worked in Yednock’s office, defeated Republican Liz Bishop by 595 votes, making her a likely target for the GOP in two years.

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December 4, 2024 at 11:13PM

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State Rep. Dave Vella invites community to participate in Cards For Seniors holiday card drive.

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ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) – State Representative Dave Vella is calling on the community to help bring holiday cheer by participating in his annual Cards For Seniors holiday card drive. 

Holiday cards can be brought to his office located at 4007 N. Mulford Road in Loves Park by December 18. Participants are welcomed to bring both hand made and store bought cards. The cards will then be taken to senior homes in the 68th District. 

Participants are encouraged to write messages inside the holiday cards they bring. State Rep. Dave Vella encourages artists to have fun when designing the cards. 

All holiday cards will be distributed to residents at senior homes by December 23. For more information please visit the official website at https://www.staterepdavevella.com/calendar/cards-4-seniors.

 

 

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December 4, 2024 at 08:49AM

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State Rep. Maurice West, Rockford IceHogs team up for annual Share the Warmth clothing drive

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ROCKFORD, Ill (WREX) – In an effort to bring warmth to the Stateline, State Representative Maurice West and the Rockford IceHogs are partnering for the 11th annual Share the Warmth clothing drive. 

Last year, the Share the Warmth clothing drive brought in nearly 800 items of clothing and were taken to the Rockford Rescue Mission, Carpenter’s Place and Shelter Care Ministries. 

Rockford Ice Hog fans can bring a warm clothing item with them to the upcoming game on Friday, November 29 to receive a free ticket to a future IceHogs game. Fans are encouraged to bring either new or gently used items like jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, snow pants, sweatshirts, socks, and underwear. 

Share the Warmth drop off bins can be found at each entry at the BMO Center on Black Friday and fans that donate will receive a card with a QR code where they can then redeem their free ticket. 

“The Share the Warmth donation drive is a testimony to Rockford’s unity and care for those in need,” said West. “Let’s make sure our neighbors are covered in warmth and kindness this winter, ensuring that no one in our community faces the cold alone. Thank you to the IceHogs for demonstrating your continued commitment to our community by partnering in this important work.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with State Representative West on Share the Warmth again this season,” said Dave Costello, the Rockford IceHogs Manager and Marketing and Community Relations. “Our fans always seem to rise to the occasion with their generosity for important initiatives like this and I am excited to see the impact we can make for people in need this holiday season.” 

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November 28, 2024 at 08:00PM

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Newly-Elected Murri Briel Discusses Her Plans as New State Rep in Springfield

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It took two weeks, but Democrat Murri Briel has been declared the winner of the 76th District State Representative race.

Briel currently serves as State Representative Lance Yedncok’s aide and chief of staff. She appeared on Rod Thorson’s morning show Thursday.

One topic was Briel’s view of the future of education in a district that not only includes Northern Illinois University, but also a number of community colleges. Briel said she’s concerned about the load that would be put on the state if the U.S. Department of Education is broken up or dissolved.

On healthcare, Briel spoke personally. During the campaign she had described not being able to return to the Illinois Valley because of her neurodivergent sons’ particular needs.

Briel says free-market competition is a beautiful thing, and she’d like to see more providers move into Starved Rock Country.

Of course, younger people are leaving, too. Briel said innovative employers will be key to keeping young talent from leaving the Illinois Valley in search of opportunities elsewhere.

Briel said she’s going to stay in Lance Yednock’s Ottawa office at 628 Columbus Street. She says that he showed her that constituent service is the majority of the job.

You can listen to Rod Thorson’s full interview with State Representative-Elect Briel here:

 

 

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November 21, 2024 at 12:37PM

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It’s official: Briel bests Bishop in state rep race for Yednock’s seat

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Barring an appeal of the results, Amy “Murri” Briel will succeed state Rep. Lance Yednock as the 76th District state representative.

Following Election Night on Nov. 5, Briel, an Ottawa Democrat, held a 505 vote lead against Liz Bishop, a La Salle Republican, with more than 1,600 mail-in ballots uncounted in La Salle, DeKalb and Bureau counties. The results were too close and Bishop said she wanted to wait until the final result before conceding.

Election results were certified and made official Tuesday, resulting in updates from county clerks in La Salle and DeKalb counties. Briel’s lead grew by 88 votes. Briel gained 407 votes in La Salle County and 31 in DeKalb County to Bishop’s 334 in La Salle County and 16 in DeKalb County. The Bureau County Clerk’s Office did not post an update Tuesday to its election results, but County Clerk Matthew Eggers said there were 200 to 300 votes left uncounted from Election Night, meaning Briel’s 593-vote lead would be insurmountable.

With La Salle and DeKalb counties official results, Briel has 23,897 votes to Bishop’s 23,304. Election Night results are unofficial until Nov. 19.

Yednock, D-Ottawa, opting not to run for reelection opened the door for a new face to represent the 76th District in Springfield. Briel and Bishop emerged as political opponents after the March primary. The 76th District was the only Illinois House district to have a contested primary for both parties.

The recently redrawn district comprises La Salle, DeKalb and Bureau counties. Yednock has served as the state representative in the district since 2019.

Region: Northern,Feeds,Local,Region: La Salle

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November 19, 2024 at 08:19PM

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