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Ammons disappointed by exclusion from Davis’ upcoming event at Parkland

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CHAMPAIGN — Much to her chagrin, Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons wasn’t invited to join Republican U.S. Rep Rodney Davis at Monday’s public Q&A at Parkland College.

Ammons said Friday that she didn’t find out about the second of Davis’ Open Government Night events until she read about in last Sunday’s News-Gazette, and was surprised she wasn’t asked to sit alongside the congressman in her own state House district.

If she has to “listen to the concerns of those who didn’t vote for me and who are not of the same political ideology,” Ammons said, “then he should do the same.”

Instead, Davis will be joined on-stage at Parkland’s Harold and Jean Miner Theatre by state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, whose selection the Urbana Democrat particularly objected to.

“Unfortunately, the representative that he’s bringing is also bringing an agenda with him that calls for the separation of people in the state based on geography, and I have an objection to that,” Ammons said, referring to Halbrook’s proposal to separate Chicago from downstate Illinois. “If there are concerns that need to be addressed about how we feel downstate, then we should have an intelligent dialogue. The separatist agenda (Halbrook) has been pushing speaks to Rodney’s credibility. He invited him as opposed to inviting the local representative.”

Davis’ spokeswoman, Ashley Phelps, said Ammons is welcome to attend — “or host her own event” — to hear from constituents.

“This is an event for Congressman Davis and Representative Halbrook, who also represents part of Champaign and half of the county, to hear from constituents,” Phelps said in a statement. “It’s also unfortunate that Representative Ammons is using taxpayer-funded letterhead for campaign purposes.”

When asked if she’ll attend the event, Ammons said she’ll send some staff members but could not plan her schedule accordingly due to conflicting appointments and the lack of notice.

The format of Monday’s event calls for Davis and Halbrook to alternate answering questions submitted by audience members. Scott Beatty of News-Gazette Media’s WDWS 1400-AM will serve as moderator and choose which questions he asks.

Neither Davis nor his representatives will see the questions ahead of time or have a hand in selecting them before they’re asked, event organizers reiterated during a Friday conference call with News-Gazette Media.

Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is free but space is limited — once the theater reaches its capacity of 302, no one else will be allowed in. Davis’ staff said the event will be simulcast online.

Once inside the theater, audience members will be given the option of filling out a card with a question for either elected official. At Davis’ first Open Government Night event, held July 29 at Richland Community College in Decatur, he and state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, took turns answering about 22 questions over the 90-minute program.

Ammons believes the crowd in Champaign won’t be quite as welcoming as the one in Decatur.

Just last week, she and Davis were part of the same panel at a Champaign County Housing Authority forum focused on local issues, such as skyrocketing rent prices and the lack of access for the working poor to affordable housing.

“I have concerns about access to housing that are different to his,” Ammons said. “It doesn’t mean we can’t have that discussion. I showed up and he showed up.

“Clearly, this is possible. He can hold whatever event he wants and develop it however he wants, but if this is about open government, then you need to invite other perspectives from the people that you represent.”

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via The News-Gazette

August 17, 2019 at 07:45AM

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Bristow measure to support hearing-impaired people in healthcare facilities

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Legislation passed by state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) that would require hospitals and other healthcare facilities to make efforts to have closed captioning on televisions activated to help individuals with hearing loss was signed into law last week.

“Many individuals who have hearing loss often face added challenges when trying to enjoy television while in a hospital or healthcare facility because the closed captioning feature is not always being activated, or being turned on and off,” Bristow said. “This legislation would require that facilities ensure that closed captioning is activated. This issue was brought to me by Angela Botz, Community Outreach Coordinator & ILS-Deaf Services and the IMPACT Center for Independent Living, and I want to thank her and everyone at IMPACT for their work and advocacy in removing barriers for people with disabilities and helping them live independent lives.”

House Bill 3468 requires televisions in hospitals and healthcare facilities to make reasonable efforts to have closed captioning activated at all times to better accommodate those who are hearing-impaired. This would apply to common areas used by the public, like a waiting or recreation room, and in patients’ rooms. Since most televisions already have closed captioning and there is no requirement to immediately replace ones without closed captioning, there are no additional costs for providers under this legislation.

“Our mission has been to improve the lives of people with disabilities and make the world more accessible and accepting,” said Cathy Contarino, executive director at IMPACT. “With this legislation we are ensuring that individuals who have hearing loss are still able to enjoy television while in healthcare centers and facilities in Illinois or while visiting a loved one, and we appreciate Rep. Bristow’s work in ensuring this legislation became law.”

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August 15, 2019 at 04:12PM

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Yednock launches local Opioid Advisory Council

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OTTAWA —�State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is announcing his first-ever Opioid Advisory Committee to bring together local advocates to offer solutions to the opioid crisis.

“This crisis is out of control, and I want to see Illinois lead the charge on cracking down on this epidemic,” Yednock said. “My first meeting of this advisory committee will bring together community leaders and other experts on opioid abuse to discuss how Illinois can adopt better policies to help people and prevent future substance abuse issues.”

Yednock is launching his first meeting of his Opioid Advisory Committee to bring together local experts and advocates to bring forward solutions to ending the opioid crisis. At the meeting, Yednock will highlight the legislation he supported like House Bill 2222, which would provide emergency first responders with real-time information on opioid overdoses, and House Resolution 58, which asks the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop and adopt new guidelines for the prescription of opioid prescription drugs.

Yednock will be holding additional meetings over the coming months, where area residents will be encouraged to attend those and future meetings. If you or someone you know is experiencing opioid use disorder, please call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP.

“I look forward to the discussions with the members of this new committee to propose creative solutions that can be adopted at the state and local levels,” Yednock said. “Something must be done to confront this crisis head-on, and while it may take time, people cannot wait any longer for action. I made a commitment to build a stronger Illinois, and tackling this major problem is one more way to accomplish that.”

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via | Tonica News

August 15, 2019 at 03:32PM

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State House Bill Profiles Fairview Heights’ History

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Illinois State Representative Jay Hoffman (left) was at the Tuesday, August 7 meeting of the Fairview Heights City Council to give Mayor Mark Kupsky, right, a copy of a resolution passed in the state house of representatives congratulating the city on its 50th
anniversary.

By Randy Pierce
tribune@heraldpubs.com

Illinois House of Representatives 2019 Bill 0460, passed earlier this summer, not only congratulates the City of Fairview Heights on the occasion of its 50th anniversary but also provides a comprehensive profile of the community’s history.
A copy of the bill was presented to Mayor Mark Kupsky by State Representative Jay Hoffman at the Tuesday, August 7 meeting of the city council. He was primary sponsor of the legislation and another representative from this area, Katie Stuart, whose district covers the very northerly area of Fairview Heights and a large part of Madison County, was the co-sponsor.
Upon giving it to Kupsky at the council meeting, Hoffman reflected a bit on his own history with the City of Fairview Heights, saying, “It’s been awhile since I’ve been to one of these meetings. There were times I was a cheap replacement for Bob Becker,” referring to the late long-time city attorney for who he worked in the same law firm prior to becoming an elected state official.
“The city has really grown and prospered for so many years,” Hoffman added before joking that he would not read the entire resolution because the current city attorney, Garrett Hoerner, who works for the same law office once headed up by Becker, threatened the state legislator if he did take the time to verbally share every word of it.
“The House of Representatives,” Hoffman continued, “acknowledges the great 50-year history of Fairview Heights and all who came before and to all who are serving now, we thank you for your service.”
The resolution, after the initial congratulatory statement, based on the fact that Fairview Heights was formally incorporated as a city in 1969, mentions how Germans and other immigrants from Europe established farms in this area which was then known as Ridge Prairie.
Those early pioneers, the legislation continues, included an Irishman named William Kinsella who built a two-story, hand-hewn log cabin in 1854 which still stands in Pleasant Ridge Park. The Kinsella heirs still reside in Fairview Heights.
One of the community’s main early “hubs,” Hoffman’s resolution goes on, was the intersection of what is now Bunkum Road and Lincoln Trail, once the location of a brickyard, a farmhouse that served as an inn and the original one-room Grant School. Still another center of activity cited was the tavern and trading post formerly operated by Henry Becherer, later known as the Ridge Prairie Saloon then, eventually, the Dandy Inn which closed in January of 2017 because of the retirement of its owner.
Also noted is that the first of seven coal mines in what later became Fairview Heights was opened in 1903 and that the name “Fairview” was initially used in an advertisement by a land developer after a streetcar (trolley) line was extended from St. Louis to here.
Raymond Fairbrother, per what Hoffman brought to give to the mayor, was a resident of East St. Louis who platted the very first residential subdivisions in “Fairview” in 1906 and promoted the development as a place “where life is worth living.”
Local residents in 1914 formed the Fairview Improvement Association and raised money to have sidewalks and roadways in this area then a mercantile store, owned first by a family named Shively then later the Gaidos, was opened in 1916.
More modernization came in 1924 when the East St. Louis Light and Power Company began delivering electricity. In 1933, the aforementioned association of local people bought a used fire truck which was followed by the organization of the volunteer fire department. It is common now for some to refer to the Fairview Heights Fire Department but none actually exists. The original name without the word “Heights” has been retained and is currently in use since its formation.
Then into the 1940s and 1950s, the house resolution says, more subdivisions, stores and restaurants were added. A most notable landmark, the St. Albert the Great Catholic Church which had an usual circular shape, was built in 1967 at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and North Illinois Street.
After enough people decided that it was time to officially incorporate as a city, a major turning point came in the late 1960s when a referendum was held for deciding what to specifically named the new community. Voters had to choose from three: Lincoln Heights, Ridge Prairie or Fairview Heights with the winner prevailing by a three-to-one margin.
Local resident Warren Baker Jr., Hoffman’s research pointed out, was appointed as the first temporary city clerk which led to him putting together the first election for the new city council which took place on December 16, 1969.
In that election, the late Everett Moody, who the park on Longacre Drive is named after, was chose as the first mayor of Fairview Heights. He served until 1979 and was followed by George Lanxon who stepped down in 1995 and was succeeded by Gail Mitchell. Then since 2015, Kupsky has held that office.
Others joining Moody on the first city council then included Clerk Les Klein and Alderman Charles Baricevic, the father of former St. Clair County Board Chairman and Illinois 20th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge John Baricevic.
Further outlined in Hoffman’s review of the history of Fairview Heights is the purchase of four police cars from the Oliver D. Joseph auto dealership in Belleville, the dedication of Lonagcre/Moody Park in 1976 and the 1977 purchase by the city of the former Pleasant View Tuberculosis Sanitorium so it could be converted into the city hall which still serves that purpose today at 10025 Bunkum Road.
A large retail discount department-like store called Venture, recognizable because of its logo featuring diagonal black stripes on a white background (or vice versa), opened for business in 1969 and proved to be so successful that the May Company which owned it began plans for St. Clair Square, long since the focal point for Fairview Heights, which opened as a two-level shopping mall in 1974.
The very next year found Interstate 64, paralleling U.S. Highway 50 (now called Lincoln Highway within Fairview Heights), providing better access to the mall for shoppers from throughout the region.
The boom in commercial growth that followed with more retail stores, places to eat of all types, banks and businesses, like Stonewolf Golf Club, the Four Points by Sheraton and its Fountains Conference Center plus a MetroLink station at the intersection of Illinois Route 161 and St. Clair Avenue all being added.
Additionally included in the resolution from Hoffman is how Fairview Heights “has evolved into a shopping mecca that attracts people from all over the region,” with the city issuing numerous licenses to stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses every year while not levying property tax because its government programs and services are funded through sales tax revenue.
As frequently brought forward by Kupsky when he is speaking about the city, Hoffman further stated that even though Fairview Heights has a population of 17,000 residents who live there, the number of people actually within its borders can swell to 50,000 or 60,000 during peak holiday shopping season and at other busy times, thusly requiring a police force of over 40 officers which is considerably more than municipalities with a similar amount of local citizens.
Before the resolution passed by the state house closes, it cites the various public events taking place in 2019 in connection with the 50th anniversary of Fairview Heights, the next of which will be a time capsule burial, city hall open house and gala ball at the Four Points by Sheraton Fountains Conference Center.
The House of Representatives of the 101st General Assembly of the State of Illinois includes a wish for the city to “have many more successful years.”

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via Herald Publications

August 15, 2019 at 03:08PM

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Rep. Moeller: New Curriculum Law Promotes Fairness, Compassion

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This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

Rep. Moeller: New Curriculum Law Promotes Fairness, Compassion

State Rep. Anna Moeller heralds a new state law requiring study in schools of LGBQT contributions and history.

Rep. Moeller: New Curriculum Law Promotes Fairness, Compassion

ELGIN — Gay and transgender youth and adults in Illinois will receive fairness and compassion from a new state law sponsored by Rep. Anna Moeller.

Moeller today announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed into law House Bill 264, requiring classroom instruction about the history and contributions of the LGBQT community in Illinois schools.

Read Rep. Moeller’s statement for more information on this important issue. For more on the legislation, click here:

"Today is an important and historic day for fairness and compassion in Illinois. I was proud to sponsor House Bill 246 and am delighted to see it become Illinois law.

"The new law’s goal is simple: to understand that people from different backgrounds deserve the same opportunity to learn and be recognized for their contributions in society as everyone else.

"Historically, gay and transgender people have been treated as second-class citizens: persecuted, discriminated against and forgotten. As our society has evolved to rectify these injustices, our school teaching should as well. I hope Illinois schools will embrace the opportunity to show that we all are equal and valuable through this commonsense update to their curriculum.

Illinois becomes the 5th state in the nation and first in the Midwest to adopt this change. I thank Gov. Pritzker for his leadership in signing and supporting this legislation, Sen. Heather Steans for her leadership in the Senate, my colleagues in the Legislature who voted for it, and the dedicated advocates – led by Equality Illinois, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and the Legacy Project – for their commitment to ending discrimination and helping cut through the uninformed and misguided arguments on House Bill 246.

"I look forward to continue working on legislation that recognizes we all matter, and we all deserve to be able to live happily and find our own path forward."

The views expressed in this post are the author’s own. Want to post on Patch?

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August 9, 2019 at 06:44PM

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Bristow tours Chestnut Health Systems in Granite City

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State Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) toured Chestnut Health Systems in Granite City last week to meet with staff and to learn more about the organization’s work surrounding mental health.  

“As a member of the House Mental Health Committee, I appreciated being able to learn more about Chestnut and their important work to help improve mental health,” Bristow said. “With rising accessibility problems to mental health services and the ongoing battle with the opioid crisis, organizations like Chestnut play a vital role, now more than ever, in improving the quality of life for people when they need help. As state representative, I have made mental health one of my top priorities, and I look forward to working with Chestnut more to ensure that our region has the proper resources and funding to provide these critical services.”

Chestnut Health Systems is a nonprofit organization serving the Metro East and other parts of the state providing a full range of behavioral health and human services. Chestnut also offers extensive care for those dealing with substance use addiction. As a member of the House Mental Health Committee, Bristow has worked in Springfield to improve mental health across the state, including sponsoring a variety of legislation to create greater access to mental health services. Bristow is also dedicated to working with law enforcement and community partners, such as Chestnut, to combat the opioid crisis and to better deal with all forms of behavioral health.

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July 25, 2019 at 09:59AM

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Stuart says SIU funding not fair

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Stuart says SIU funding not fair

EDWARDSVILLE – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, says more fair state funding is needed within the Southern Illinois University System.

“I am really disappointed with the results of the funding distribution study from AGB Consulting,” Stuart said. “The results were inconclusive and did little to solve the funding disparity that exists between the two SIU campuses.

“Instead of finding a fair funding formula, the firm passed responsibility back to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees,” she said. “I hope the board chooses to act responsibly and fund the Edwardsville campus fairly.”

Stuart said one of the reasons she ran for state representative was seeing firsthand the negative impacts of the defunding of SIUE.

“During my first term, I introduced legislation that would ensure that state funding for the SIU system would be split evenly between the Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses,” she said. “After this failed attempt to study the funding distribution between the two SIU campuses, I think it is clear now that the Illinois Board of Higher Education must conduct an unbiased study in order to reach a solution that is fair for SIUE, which I will continue to advocate for in Springfield.

“While we have seen growth and expansion here on the Edwardsville campus, we have not seen the funding from the SIU board to accompany the success of the campus,” Stuart said. “I have made fair funding for SIUE a priority each year when I go to Springfield, and I will continue to fight to ensure the Edwardsville campus gets their fair share of funding.”

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via Alton Telegraph

July 24, 2019 at 09:50PM

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Gordon-Booth To Be Honored by State Democratic Group

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State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria will be honored by a state Democratic organization for helping to build up the party from the grassroots.

She is one of three people receiving the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association’s Party Builder Award. 

The other two are U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Glenn Poshard, a former Democratic U.S. Representative from Southern Illinois who later served as president of Southern Illinois University. 

Gordon-Booth is the first African-American elected from Central Illinois to the statehouse. The IDCCA said she is being recognized for her work on criminal justice reform and recreational marijuana legalization. 

They will be honored at the IDCCA County Chair’s Brunch on August 14th in Springfield. 

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via | Peoria Public Radio

July 24, 2019 at 03:04PM

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Lieutenant governor helps break ground for new Alton park

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Downtown Alton is getting a new entrance to the city, and it’s designed to showcase Alton’s aspiration to be the healthiest and happiest city on the Mississippi River.

On Monday, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, state Rep. Monica Bristow, Alton Mayor Brant Walker, and about two dozen Alton residents and local business owners joined Jayne and John Simmons for the groundbreaking of a new community park next to the Jacoby Arts Center on Broadway.

“We are so pleased Lt. Governor Stratton, Representative Bristow, and Mayor Brant could join the community today for such an important event,” John Simmons said.

“Parks and green spaces are essential to healthy and happy communities, which is why we chose this park as one of the first development opportunities in the revitalization of downtown Alton,” Jayne Simmons said. “Spaces like these are great places for people to unwind, play, get exercise, take a break and spend time together.”  

Jayne Simmons said the working name for the space is Park Park — it’s a parking lot and it will soon be transformed into a community park.

“I am so proud of all that Alton is doing to improve the lives of its residents and people in neighboring communities,” Stratton said. “As we think about community development, public spaces are an important component of ensuring a high quality of life. I have learned so much about what Alton is doing and can’t wait to share what Alton is doing with communities across our state.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased about the plans to transform this high-profile space into a community park,” Walker said. “It’s incredible to know the ‘front door’ of downtown Alton will finally welcome residents and guests in a way that represents the spirit of our community.”

The design of Park Park includes places for children to play, open spaces to gather, beautiful trees, flowers and other plantings. The design will allow the Jacoby Arts Center to spill out into the park, which will provide a space for private parties, weddings, gallery openings and performances. Colorful park renderings were on display at the groundbreaking and provided an illustration of what Park Park could look like. 

Research shows that city parks and open spaces improve physical and mental health, strengthen communities, and make cities and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work. Open recreation and entertainment spaces like community parks can also attract tourists. Parks and open spaces can host festivals, concerts, family reunions and athletic events, bringing additional boosts to the local economy.

Stratton and her staff were in Alton on Monday for a “listening tour” in an event coordinated through Alton Main Street and Jayne and John Simmons. Stratton began her day on the sixth floor at the Simmons, Hanly and Conroy Law Firm, overlooking the landscape of downtown Alton. In a casual yet beautiful setting, Stratton listened intently to the opportunities, obstacles and aspirations of people who live and work in Alton.  

“We had great discussion today about the future of Alton and our aspirations to revitalize the downtown area,” John Simmons said. “Lt. Governor Stratton shared her support for these types of private-public partnerships and the importance of collaboration to fostering a thriving downstate Illinois.” 

The city of Alton donated part of the land used for the park, and Jayne and John Simmons purchased the remaining land in 2019 to ensure the space was open and spacious enough to create a dramatic entrance to downtown.  

The park is expected to be completed sometime next summer.

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July 23, 2019 at 06:54AM

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