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Rockford lawmaker files bill prohibiting ex-legislators from immediately becoming lobbyists

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ROCKFORD (WREX) — A Rockford lawmaker filed a bill to prohibit ex-legislators from immediately becoming corporate lobbyists after leaving office.

Rep. Dave Vella, (D) of the 68th District in Rockford, recently filed House Bill 2389.

In previous General Assemblies, legislators could resign part way through their elected term to start lobbying their former colleagues of behalf of private companies.

Vella’s legislation would put a five-year ban on elected officials registering as lobbyists after leaving office.

Rep. Dave Vella says the legislation is “in an effort to help restore faith in government.”

“For too long we have seen a revolving door of legislators leaving office, often part way through their term, only to immediately become a lobbyist,” said Vella. “This revolving door in Springfield has allowed for too many crooked deals with elected officials no longer acting in the best interest of the public and only the best interest of themselves.”

House Bill 2389 is one of several bills on ethics reform that Vella is sponsoring.

Vella says he is working to restore faith in government by removing automatic pay raises and exit bonuses for politicians (House Bill 178 and House Bill 3104).

He also says he is fighting to end taxpayer funded pensions for legislators (House Bill 2428) and has personally refused a pension for being a legislator.   

“We have politicians abusing their elected office to get lobbying jobs and leaving office before the end of their term. This leads to politicians still influencing legislation without having to being held accountable by voters,” said Vella. “Our elected officials need to be focused on helping the communities they represent, not focused on finding a bigger paycheck.” 

The post Rockford lawmaker files bill prohibiting ex-legislators from immediately becoming lobbyists appeared first on WEEK.

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via WEEK https://week.com

March 9, 2021 at 10:10AM

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Illinois Representative pushes for ban on outdoor balloon releases

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- The Energy and Environment Committee approved a bill today that could stop people from endangering animals with plastic from balloons.

House bill 418 could make it illegal to knowingly release a large amount of balloons outside. That would include organized releases for celebrations, funerals or other gatherings. If caught, you could be charged a $500 fine.

Some committee members had concerns about how strict the rules would be. One lawmaker asked if people could be held responsible for accidentally letting go of balloons outside.

“If you’re walking, lets say in your scenario, and you have 20 balloons and the wind catches it and they take them out of your hand, that’s not a knowing release, that’s an accidental release,” said Representative Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake).

Rep. Yingling also said he doesn’t intend to hold children responsible for accidentally letting go of a balloon. He said he plans to add an amendment to clarify the difference between a knowing release and an accidental one.

Across the aisle

Meanwhile, some lawmakers were concerned with the amount of the fine, suggesting it’s a high price to pay. Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said charging the fine without Illinoisans being aware of the new law could be financially damaging.

“I think we do need to take a look at the penalties on this and how it’s defined and everything,” said Butler. “Certainly a $500 fine is, I would say that’s a penalty enhancement, and I know how we feel about penalty enhancements.”

Even so, Yingling pointed out the negative effects balloon releases have on our environment. He said the main goal of the bill is to help eliminate environmental waste.

“Obviously there’s significant ecological impact and there’s also significant infrastructure impact when these balloons land,” said Yingling. “Not only are they dangerous for our habitat, they also complicate our storm sewer systems and our water systems.”

Yingling stressed the proposal would not apply to balloons used by higher education or government groups. The state would still allow meteorological balloons as well.

The post Illinois Representative pushes for ban on outdoor balloon releases appeared first on WEEK.

Feeds,News,City: Peoria,Central

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March 8, 2021 at 07:53PM

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Illinois struggles to pay its pensions, but these lawmakers signed up for them anyway

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Pension reform is a favorite campaign refrain of candidates across party lines. But when it comes up signing up for their own state retirement benefits, few Illinois lawmakers say no. … Click to Continue »

Region: Metro East,Feeds,News,City: Belleville

via Metro East Breaking News, Sports & Crime | https://www.bnd.com/

March 7, 2021 at 06:05AM

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Suburban Democrats view Kelly’s party chair victory as a win for suburbs

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Suburban Democrats are viewing U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly’s narrow election over Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris to lead the Democratic Party of Illinois as a win for the suburbs and for the future of the organization.

Kelly, who represents the 2nd Congressional District and lives in Matteson, was selected Wednesday to replace former Illinois House Speaker and Party Chair Michael Madigan. Another suburban contender, state Sen. Christina Castro of Elgin, dropped out of the running shortly before the vote and backed Kelly.

Suburban lawmakers are ecstatic over the result.

"I was very happy to see congresswoman Kelly in there," said Rep. Kathleen Willis, a Democrat from Addison. She said she and Kelly "do a lot of anti-gun violence issues together. I know her from that platform. I am very excited to see her there."

Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego said she also was "very excited" to see Kelly win the election. Kifowit has been a very vocal opponent of Madigan in the last year and was the first to challenge him for the role of speaker in October. She said Kelly’s selection means the Democratic Party is "turning a corner."

"Congresswoman Kelly has the skills and knowledge of the state and the ability to lead the party into the future," Kifowit said. "I am really excited about her collaborative spirit. We are a big tent as a party and we are bigger than just one person, so her willingness to work together and be collaborative, I think, is very refreshing."

State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, had supported Castro and initially worried that Kelly might be too D.C.-focused and Harris would be too Chicago-centric. However, after Castro withdrew, Crespo said Kelly was the right choice.

"I appreciate the fact she understands the suburban experience, unlike Alderwoman Harris," Crespo said. "I think very highly of (Kelly)."

Crespo still harbors concerns that Kelly might not be grounded enough in Illinois, given her responsibilities in Washington, but said he hopes she will "surround herself with the right people" to maintain a strong presence in the state.

Kifowit and Willis, however, believe Kelly’s Illinois district represents a diverse section of the state.

"She does have urban, suburban and rural areas and I think we definitely need to embrace and support every inch of the state of Illinois and she has that knowledge base," Kifowit said.

"The more we can move the central point (of the party) out of the city of Chicago, the more inclusive we can be to bring everybody to the table and not just the city of Chicago folks," Willis said.

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March 6, 2021 at 10:28AM

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State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit addresses the ongoing issues with IDES: ‘Individuals should not have to go through what they are going through in order to get the benefits that were awarded to them by Congress’

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Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) joins Anna to talk about the ongoing frustration her constituents are experiencing dealing with IDES.

Feeds,News,Region: Chicago,City: Chicago

via WGN Radio 720 – Chicago’s Very Own https://wgnradio.com

March 5, 2021 at 05:12PM

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New bill would expand who can be a DCFS investigator

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A new bill is aiming to expand who can be an investigator for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Right now, child welfare investigators usually have social work backgrounds. HB 125 in the Illinois legislature would broaden that. Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, says people with criminal justice backgrounds are just as qualified to be investigators. These are the people that go into homes and assess a child’s situation if their safety is in question.

via WRSP

March 4, 2021 at 09:25PM

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Rep. Vella files bill to end legislator pensions

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Paul Palmieri wearing a suit and tie: State Representative Dave Vella

© Provided by Rockford WIFR-LD
State Representative Dave Vella

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – State Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) filed House Bill 2428, which would prohibit future legislators from receiving a taxpayer funded pension when they leave office.

The state representative made the announcement on Wednesday morning. This is one of Vella’s first pieces of legislation, this follows his own decision to refuse a pension for being a legislator.

“We need to make sure we are not wasting resources to fund unnecessary perks for politicians,” Vella said. “As our state continues to face financial problems, we should not be adding new financial burdens by promising to pay for the retirements of career politicians.”

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The state currently pays for pensions of former legislators and each year new General Assembly members are added to the General Assembly Retirement System for payments. Vella is also sponsoring legislation to stop pay raises and exit bonuses for politicians — House Bill 178 and House Bill 3104 — in an effort to put an end to legislators becoming lobbyists, with House Bill 2389.

“We need to break the cycle of huge pensions for politicians and stop the abuse of Illinois taxpayers,” Vella said. “Our legislators are meant to be public servants working on behalf of all Illinoisans, but too many have decided to use public office and taxpayer dollars to cushion their own retirement.”

Copyright 2021 WIFR. All rights reserved.

via MSN

March 3, 2021 at 05:14PM

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Legislation Aims To End Bobcat Hunting In Illinois

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Since 2016, it has been legal to hunt or trap bobcats in Illinois during hunting season (Nov. 10-Feb. 15), even though they were on the threatened species list until 1999. Now some state lawmakers and the Illinois Bobcat Foundation want to protect them from harm. Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Ill.) introduced House Bill 1827 in February. It would make it unlawful for any person to hunt or trap bobcats in this state. Jennifer Kuroda is the president of the Illinois Bobcat Foundation. She supports the bill. "Legislators don’t want to hear about how many signatures you have on one of those [online] petitions," she said. "They want to hear from you. They want to hear from their constituents, and they want to know what you think about this." Bobcats have been spotted in 99 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Kuroda says unless they are cornered or rabid, they won’t hurt you. "It’s just like any other wildlife that’s out there, right? Just enjoy that you have an opportunity to be in the presence of a bobcat.

Region: Northern,Feeds,Region: DeKalb,Local,City: DeKalb

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March 1, 2021 at 06:11AM

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Stuart: Create a sense of belonging in the classroom

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Stuart: Create a sense of belonging in the classroom

State Rep. Katie Stuart Guest Columnist

Updated

Stuart: Create a sense of belonging in the classroom

No matter how old you are, I bet you can think back to your days as a student and likely remember moments when you either felt affirmed and valued by your teachers, or perhaps misunderstood or disregarded. We all know that teachers and the school culture can have a profound and lasting effect on us. Good teachers understand the massive and sustained impact — positive or negative — they can have on students’ lives. They know the importance of being cognizant of the inherent biases that exist in our culture. They understand that those biases have shaped their own worldview, and they work to counteract the negative effects such could bring to their teaching. Good teachers understand that a student’s background and lived experiences will influence how they experience the school setting. However, in order to have this across the board, we must provide all educators with the tools they need to form true connections with students whose backgrounds and experiences may be very different from their own.

This brings me to the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, which were developed by a diverse group of educators from across the state and unanimously approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.

As a former teacher and university instructor, I was involved in training teachers during their student teaching experience. These standards will ensure we equip all our future educators with the best practices that veteran educators already use every day. They will put valuable tools at the forefront of the coursework and field experience of our teacher preparation programs.

These standards are consistent with those set long ago by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, focusing on reflection, interacting with communities, and student learning. Many teachers across the country, and across Illinois, pursue National Board Certification to develop their craft. Administrators recognize National Board Certified teachers as not only having met rigorous standards but also for their dedication to the continual improvement of their teaching practice. For all these reasons, National Board Certified teachers are regarded as leaders and mentors in their buildings.

Yet, critics will have you believe that Illinois is pushing a new idea and using divisive rhetoric to detract from what they are – preparation for the reality of what they will see in the classroom, beginning on day one. Our student population is increasingly diverse, and it is important that teachers in all corners of the state are able to create classroom and school environments that give every student a sense of belonging. These standards encourage the embracing of multiple viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives; promote inclusiveness; and encourage critical thinking. This will ultimately foster classroom and school environments that are more, not less, inclusive of all students, regardless of one’s upbringings, religious background or any other aspect of who you are.

via The Edwardsville Intelligencer

February 25, 2021 at 09:21PM

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