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August 7, 2024 at 05:27PM
Aurora, Ill – Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has been elected Vice President of the Executive Board of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Women’s Legislative Network.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed as Vice President of the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network,” said Rep. Kifowit. “This role presents an incredible opportunity to work alongside talented women from across the country and to continue the important work of empowering women in legislative roles.”
Kifowit was formally elected at the Network’s board meeting during the “Building Balance: Women’s Unique Roles” Luncheon at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on August 5. She previously served on the board as the appointed Midwest Regional Director.
“My goal over the next year is to enhance the resources available to women legislators, facilitating their growth and success in public service,” added Kifowit. “I am committed to fostering a collaborative environment where we can share knowledge, develop our skills, and make meaningful progress on the issues that matter most to our communities.”
Illinois State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit has represented the 84th District since 2013 and is the only female Veteran in the Illinois General Assembly. She is the first Veteran to hold the role of NCSL Women’s Legislative Network Vice President. Kifowit served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Masters of Public Administration and working as a family financial advisor, Kifowit served for 9 years as a City of Aurora Alderman. Today, Representative Kifowit chairs the Illinois House Personnel & Pensions Committee and Property Tax Subcommittee on the Revenue Committee, and is an active advocate for Veterans both as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and directly in her community.
The Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL includes all women legislators by virtue of their election to office. It began when female legislators gathered at NCSL meetings in the late 1970s and was formally organized in 1985 at the Annual Meeting in Seattle. The mission of the Women’s Legislative Network is to promote the participation, empowerment, and leadership of women legislators. The network sponsors informational briefings, skill-building workshops, and hosts receptions or lunches at NCSL meetings for women legislators to interact and learn from one another.
Kifowit will be succeeding Vice President DeAnn Vaught, a fifth-term state representative in the Arkansas House. The term length for Executive Board officers and directors is one year.
For more information, please contact Representative Stephanie Kifowit’s district office at 630.583.1308 or email stephanie.kifowit@att.net.
Visit Rep Kifowit’s website
Springfield Office:
200-7S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8028
District Office:
1677 Montgomery Rd.
Ste. 116
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 585-1308
(630) 585-1357 FAX
Legis
via Illinois House Democratic Caucus https://ilhousedems.com
August 6, 2024 at 04:02PM
Following Governor J.B. Pritzker’s announcement of a quantum computing campus project coming to Chicago last week, 84th District Democratic State Representative Stephanie Kifowit shared her thoughts on the project and its impact on the entire state of Illinois.
Kifowit said the field of quantum computing is an idea that shows Illinois is thinking about the future and developing a sound strategy to show other sectors that Illinois is the place to be.
The quantum campus project is headed up by PsiQuantum, a company out of California. The company will put $1.1 billion into developing the former U.S. Steel Southworks site on the city’s southeast side, with the state contributing an estimated $700 million in funds for the campus. PsiQuantum will be the first tenant in the campus, which is expected to be constructed as soon as possible and bring over 150 jobs to start.
Kifowit said she appreciates the effort made by her colleagues in the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for moving this project along, and she hopes the campus will be the beginning of more quantum computing sites and other developments across the state.
via WSPY NEWS
August 2, 2024 at 07:51PM
Plainfield-Oswego Democratic State Representative Harry Benton is staying busy during the current legislative recess, including filing a bill regarding saving on prescription drug costs for consumers. House Bill 5865 was filed with the clerk of the General Assembly on Friday, July 19.
Benton said the goal of the bill is simple: to save consumers money on their prescriptions.
The proposed bill would amend the Illinois Insurance Code and mandate that, effective January 1, 2025, insurance policies covering prescription drugs must determine a covered individual’s cost sharing at the point of sale, using a price reduced by at least 100% of all rebates received. Any rebate amount exceeding the cost sharing must be used by the insurer to lower premiums. Insurers are permitted to further reduce the covered individual’s cost sharing beyond the stated amount at the point of sale.
Authorization would be given to the Department of Insurance to adopt rules to enforce these provisions. Benton said he is working on additional legislation during the break.
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July 25, 2024 at 10:14AM
LaToya Greenwood
As summer rolls on and the fall general election inches closer, former 114th state Rep. LaToya Greenwood has increased her campaign war chest over incumbent state Rep. Kevin Schmidt.
Meanwhile both she and Schmidt are spending the summer working to reach out to voters across the district.
Greenwood will need both money and strong voter interest. She had strong financial backing in 2022 and still lost.
Greenwood started the second quarter with $106,514 and finished with just $111,344, largely on the strength of a $15,000 contribution from SEIU HealthCare IL IN PAC. She received no individual donations in the quarter.
On July 12, she got a cash infusion from fellow Democratic state Rep. Jay Hoffman of the 113th District. Hoffman, who is running unopposed, transferred $48,500 from his campaign to Greenwood’s. Added to two other July transfers totaling $3,500, Greenwood has $160,000 on hand.
Schmidt received 11 individual contributions totaling $3,100, and transfers totaling $7,350 that accounted for most of his $12,890 take. He had $34,835 on hand June 30, plus $1,000 from the local GOP.
Greenwood’s 4-to-1 cash advantage in mid-July won’t protect her in November; she took in $343,000 in transferred funds alone in the fourth quarter of 2022, and still lost.
While both candidates can expect greater financial assistance from party leaders soon, they’re staying busy out in the district this summer, attending events and knocking on doors.
A post on Schmidt’s Facebook page notes that he has so far “knocked on more than 1,600 doors.”
Kevin Schmidt
According to the Illinois House Republican “The Caucus Blog,” over the remainder of the summer, Schmidt “is hosting a tire recycling event, property tax appeal seminar, two constituent coffees and a job fair. He will also be out and about at various community programs throughout the district.”
“The best way to know what residents need is to provide them with mechanisms to connect with him,” the article noted.
Greenwood is keeping a similar summer schedule, posting numerous photos of her with residents in their neighborhoods. On July 12, she appeared with state and local officials, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, at the opening of the new public safety center in the Emerson Park Transit Center in East St. Louis. The development stems from the Rebuild Illinois program, which she proudly banners she voted for when she was in the State House.
Greenwood has been aggressively intent in noting her accomplishments during her three terms in the State House. In a recent Facebook post publicizing a campaign meet and greet with State Sen. Christopher Belt in O’Fallon, Greenwood also made note of her current status as the State Central Committeewoman for the 13th Congressional District.
She’s also offered commentary and analysis of the 2025 Illinois Budget as it affects the 114th District both in services and job growth.
In response to heavy flash flooding in the Metro area July 16, Greenwood posted a formal-looking letter on her Facebook page, stating in part, “After speaking with City and County officials across our area I am confident that we have some of the best emergency response personnel in the country.”
“I’m proud to have voted to bring infrastructure money to the 114th District and I plan to continue advocating for improvements so that weather events don’t take such a toll on our communities.”
That approach hasn’t sat well with some Schmidt supporters. The most recent post on Schmidt’s campaign Facebook page states that “The Democrat who Kevin beat two years ago STILL pretends she is still in office. Unlike her, Kevin can be seen visiting, listening to, & fighting for his district.”
Yet, as if to underscore the cross tensions within the GOP on some issues, that same poster had earlier questioned why Schmidt voted yes on a bill that will allow noncitizens with permission to both work here legally and to carry a gun, to work in law enforcement.
He didn’t mention the fact that two Republican House members who are also police officers were among numerous other Republicans who voted yes on the bill.
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July 24, 2024 at 04:34PM
PEORIA, Ill. – With the presidential election roughly 100 days away, President Biden announced on Sunday that he was dropping out of the presidential race, endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the new Democratic nominee.
Now with enough Democratic delegates pledging to endorse Harris, she has become the party’s presumed nominee heading into the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
One of those delegates is Democratic State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria, who represents the Illinois’ 92nd District, but who also serves as Illinois Speaker Pro Tempore and Chief Budget Negotiator.
Gordon-Booth tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan Show”, it’s been a tough couple of weeks for her party since Biden’s poor showing in his recent debate with Former President Donald Trump.
Gordon-Booth says in a matter of a few days, she’s gone from being a Biden delegate to a Harris delegate.
“The reason why this works is because of the fact that…it’s a much smoother transition than if this was someone who was not a named entity as a part of the delegate process. So, let’s go back for a moment…three days ago, I was a Biden-Harris delegate…Joseph R. Biden/Kamala D. Harris,” Gordon-Booth says.
Gordon-Booth adds, “Now that President Biden has stepped aside, it is still technically the Harris ticket, President Biden has just removed himself from the presidential ticket. But, she was always a part of that.”
Gordon-Booth says technically there could have been a scenario where delegates went into the DNC next month in an open convention, meaning there could have been a fight over who would be the presidential nominee for the party. But, because Kamala Harris was already on the ticket, things will go smoothly.
Gordon-Booth says it’s very bittersweet what has happened.
“Because regardless of your politics, and if you don’t put any D or R in front of some of the things President Biden has done, they are very positive for the American people,” Gordon-Booth says.
Illinois’ ballots will not be finalized for the presidential election until August 29, and early voting starts on September 26.
via 1470 & 100.3 WMBD
July 23, 2024 at 06:02PM
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Illinois Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) meets with residents to reflect and improve the future of the 67th district.
On Wednesday, West held a town hall meeting for curious residents at the Rockford Police Department District 1, 1045 W State Street. West states his top priority is to be transparent to residents in the district.
“I wanted to be accountable to my community,” West said. “This week we are hosting town halls throughout the district to ensure everyone knows what I’ve been up to this past year.”
During the 67th District Legislative Update Tour seminars, Rockford residents who joined a session learned about district improvements and discussed the area’s future. The sessions update residents on legislative progress, funding for community priorities and actions taken to strengthen local communities.
“While I’m working for the community in Springfield during the legislative session, the needs of the 67th District are always top of mind,” West says. “I am bringing back the Legislative Update Tour because it is a fantastic opportunity to create dialogue and for residents to learn more about the progress we’ve made to strengthen our communities and our state. I encourage anyone who cares about the future of the Rockford area to join one of the sessions.”
West will hold another seminar in Loves Park at 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday, July 24.
Local organizations join together for Community Health Fair
Stateline health care organizations prep for community health fair
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July 18, 2024 at 10:27PM
Gregg Johnson is a Democrat who resides in East Moline and represents the 72nd House District. Johnson is a former Department of Corrections officer and supervisor and was the president of his local AFSCME chapter. He was elected to the House in 2022.
Revenue package, including tax increase on sportsbooks and child tax credit for low- and middle-income families: Yes
State-level regulations on carbon capture technology, including two-year pipeline moratorium: Yes
Banning step therapy, reining in prior authorization in health care industry: Yes
Prohibiting anti-union "captive-audience" meetings: Yes
House Bill 4954: The U.S Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration must certify four state mine rescue stations. Every coal-producing mine must maintain a mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team with someone in charge of training and recordkeeping and at least one member trained in the maintenance of the breathing apparatuses. (passed)
House Bill 4552: Would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to study the economic impact of requiring at least 25% of plants used in landscaping projects on state property or in projects financed with state funds to be species native to Illinois. (did not pass)
House Bill 4417: All public high schools and charter schools would be allowed to designate and annually observe a week known as “Workplace Readiness Week.” (passed)
Johnson said some of the successes from session include the state making its full required pension payment. On a local level, he was happy that the Illinois Quad-Cities were added to the River Edge Redevelopment Zone program, which offers tax breaks and incentives meant to spur the redevelopment of environmentally-challenged riverfront properties.
“Another big focus of mine has been trying to use the Mississippi River as a place to draw people in, and I think the River’s Edge tax credit is going to do quite a bit to bring businesses in as well.”
Johnson said he would have liked to see more attention paid on the economic side of downstate Illinois.
“I think we always feel like we’re fighting for our fair share of funding. We feel like sometimes Chicago and the suburbs of Chicago will get (more) funding than some of these areas, and I think that we can do better here. I think we could be treated a little bit more fairly on some of that development. We have the same needs that those other communities have, and I think we should make sure that when we go into budget session, we should be treated that way.”
State Rep. Gregg Johnson’s mother died in 1972 after being unable to obtain an abortion. The Rock Island Democrat shared her story Wednesday as the Illinois House debated abortion-related bills.
Marcy Mendenhall, CEO SAL Family and Community Services, speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Pat Alison, director of Skip-a-Long, Gov. JB Pritzker and Marcy Mendenhall, CEO SAL Family and Community Services, pose for a photo after a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Marcy Mendenhall, CEO SAL Family and Community Services, speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Jendaya Bailey, a parent of three students at Skip-a-Long, speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Pat Alison, director of Skip-a-Long, speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a news conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a news conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island. His “Smart Start Illinois” preschool plan would add 5,000 students this fall and grow over four years to 20,000 more.
Grace Hou, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference discussing the Smart Start program, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Skip-a-Long in Rock Island.
Governor JB Pritzker touted his Smart Start Illinois program he proposed in the fiscal year 2024 budget that invests $250 million into child care and early childhood education. He was joined with local officials and community members at the Skip-a-Long Development campus in Rock Island, IL.
Jendaya Bailey, a young mother of three daughters and former Skip-a-Long students, speaks to how the Rock Island facility helps her be a student and working mom. Her daughters are ages 4, 2, and 1.
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July 17, 2024 at 05:17PM
Democratic candidate for 79th District State Representative Billy Morgan was in town last night, meeting voters at Monicals in Bourbonnais. One of the items in his platform is the creation of new jobs in the area
Morgan said the Kankakee area has lost out to jobs that have moved to Joliet or other areas just outside of Kankakee County. Morgan also said, if elected, he’d work to lower costs for residents in the 79th District
Morgan faces incumbent Jackie Haas in the November election.
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July 17, 2024 at 05:34AM
Working for Illinois Caucus 