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Bristow Overrides Veto to Protect Local Jobs and Aviation Repair Industry in Illinois | RiverBender.com

SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, released the following statement after the Illinois House overrode the governor’s veto of House Bill 3902 on Tuesday, which would protect local jobs and industries in the region and keep Illinois businesses competitive in the field of aviation repair:

“Today, the Illinois House sent a strong, bipartisan message that we value good-paying jobs in our state and will do what it takes to protect them. With major concerns about people and businesses leaving Illinois, it is our responsibility to protect industries and jobs, including the more than 3,400 jobs in aviation repair across our state.

“I came to Springfield to put local jobs, people and families over politics, even if it means standing up to a governor of my own party. While some party leaders may not have wanted me to do this, I overrode the veto of the governor because he chose to misrepresent this issue and play politics with legislation that directly impacted hundreds of local jobs in the Metro East that people depend on to support their families.

“As state representative, I will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats in a bipartisan fashion to keep industries in our state competitive and to keep those high paying jobs here in our communities, supporting our local economy and families.”

Bristow sponsored House Bill 3902 which reinstates a tax credit that will allow aviation repair stations across the state to remain competitive and continue providing high paying jobs and economic growth in their communities. By overriding the governor’s veto of the bill, Illinois will once again join 36 other states with similar legislation and keep Illinois from losing businesses and jobs to neighboring states. The legislation will directly impact local businesses such as West Star Aviation in East Alton, which provides maintenance and repair services for private aircraft and employs more than 500 Metro East residents.

The legislation originally passed the Illinois House of Representative and Illinois Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support before being vetoed by the governor.

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February 4, 2020 at 03:36PM

February 4, 2020 0

Rep. Didech Proposes Self-Exclusion Program For Weed Dispensaries

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BUFFALO GROVE, IL — State Rep. Dan Didech recently introduced legislation aimed at helping people in Illinois dealing with addiction following the Jan. 1 legalization of recreational cannabis for adults over 21 years old. According to a news release sent to Patch, Didech, (D-Buffalo Grove), introduced House Bill 4134, which will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to create a list of people that wish to exclude themselves from entering or purchasing any (cannabis-related) product or service at a dispensary. The self-exclusion program for dispensaries is modeled after what’s now in place for casinos, according to the news release.

“With recreational cannabis now in effect, we must be proactive in order to prevent any unintended issues,” Didech said, in the release. “This legislation will not only allow people to take ownership of their lives but it will also make businesses more responsible and accountable.”

Under Didech’s proposal, IDPH would establish procedures for Illinois residents to add or remove themselves from the list, in addition to requiring dispensaries to remove self-excluded individuals from targeted mailings and advertisements, the release said. Dispensaries that allow entry or service to self-excluded individuals on the list will face disciplinary actions from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), according to the news release.

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“While we must reject any outdated rhetoric that cannabis is some type of gateway drug, we must also ensure that people facing addiction have access to all type of services,” Didech said, in the release. “I look forward to working with all my colleagues to continue our work to support the responsible use of recreational cannabis.”

According to the news release, this legislation was modeled after the Illinois Gaming Board’s Statewide Riverboat Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (SEP) for Problem Gamblers that allows persons who have determined they are problem gamblers to self-exclude themselves from all Illinois casinos.

During the state’s first 31 days of legal adult-use cannabis, dispensaries sold more than 972,000 items, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or IDFPR.

Last month, the Buffalo Grove Village Board voted to allow PDI Medical to move out of its current space at 1623 Barclay Boulevard into a space at 830 to 840 N. Milwaukee Avenue, where it will open as a combined recreational and medical marijuana dispensary.

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February 4, 2020 at 10:17AM

February 4, 2020 0

State Rep. Bristow to Help Local Residents Find Property Tax Relief With Sen. Crowe

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WOOD RIVER – To help local resident find property tax relief, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, is hosting Property Tax Office Hours with Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, for residents of Wood River Township. The event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Wood River Township Assessor’s office, located at 49 S. 9th Street, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.

“One of the best ways people can find property tax relief is by ensuring they are taking advantage of current property tax exemptions. The best way to find out which exemptions you qualify for is by sitting down with your local township or county assessor,” said Bristow. “This event will allow folks to sit down one-on-one with property tax experts from the assessor’s office and ask questions about how to save on their property taxes.”

Bristow’s free property tax event will allow residents to engage one-on-one with members of the Wood River Township Assessor’s office to learn about exemptions and the property tax appeals process. Residents are encouraged to bring a copy of their most recent property tax bills and a valid state ID.

“I encourage homeowners that are concerned with the rising costs of their property taxes to come and ask questions,” continued Bristow. “With new state laws and proposals, it’s good to stay up to date about how you can save on your property taxes.”

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February 3, 2020 at 02:07PM

February 3, 2020 0

St. Rep. Yednock says infrastructure program will be good in a number of ways

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Ottawa Democratic St. Rep. Lance Yednock says not only will a statewide infrastructure program be valuable just as a public good, it’ll spur a lot of apprenticeships and new construction companies.

Yednock talked to WCMY about it after the governor’s State of the State Address last week.

On other issues, Yednock says everyone wants clean energy to protect the environment and for the jobs. He wants something done to help those who lose jobs because of the shift away from dirtier energy production such as coal mining. And he says working toward more state funding for schools will help relieve local property taxes.

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February 3, 2020 at 06:17AM

February 3, 2020 0

CUB, Bristow to host utility bill clinic in Godfrey

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The consumer watchdog group Citizens Utility Board and state Rep. Monica Bristow will host a clinic to help Godfrey residents potentially save hundreds of dollars a year on their utility bills. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their gas, electric and phone bills for free one-on-one consultations with CUB’s experts.

CUB’s utility bill clinic is:

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, February 14

Godfrey Village Hall

6810 Godfrey Road, Godfrey

Co-hosted by state Rep. Monica Bristow

Registration is required. To register, contact CUB at 1-800-669-5556 or email events@citizensutilityboard.org using the subject line "Godfrey 2/14.”

CUB will give consumers information on:

How to spot unnecessary charges on natural gas, electric and phone bills.

Energy efficiency programs and rebates that can help people cut their utility bills.

Programs like Peak Time Rewards and Power Smart Pricing that can save consumers money.

How to avoid scams from alternative electric suppliers.

“Our free utility bill clinics are open to anyone interested in saving their hard-earned money and shaving unnecessary spending off their utility bills,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said.

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January 31, 2020 at 05:25PM

January 31, 2020 0

Kifowit acknowledges disparities in property taxes, calling problem ‘epidemic’

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The disparities in property taxes across the state of Illinois is "epidemic," according to Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego).

"I think overall, the property tax discussion is one that should be had statewide," Kifowit said. "When you look at the disparities, it’s epidemic statewide."

Kifowit made the comment in response to the news that Oswego School District 308 had not been selected as a beneficiary of a property tax relief grant through the state’s Education Based Funding (EBF) formula for the second year in a row.

The EBF includes a provision for school districts with high tax rates, relative to other school districts to lower the property tax burden on its residents, with the state replacing a portion of taxes through the grant.

OSD 308 had previously applied for the grant in 2018, but had been turned down.

In a statement sent to the Oswego Ledger Wednesday morning, OSD 308 Director of Communications and Public Relations Theresa Komitas said, "Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is disappointed to not have been included in the 39 districts that were announced�by the Illinois State Board of Education as eligible for the 2020 Property Tax Relief Grant.

"Confidence was not high our district would be awarded the grant, given our ranking on the list. We support this grant along with other�measures being put in place by the state to support funding of public education in Illinois."

Kifowit acknowledged that the fund is not currently given the money that it needs to provide relief.

"The fund was established with good intent, but we need to work to do more," she said. Part of the difficulty, she acknowledged, came from prior imbalanced budgets at the state level.

Legislators, she confirmed, are looking at multiple avenues of easing property taxes, including the different areas that make up a homeowner’s property tax.

Kifowit, who serves on the Property Tax Relief Task Force formed during the 2019 session, previously confirmed that the task force’s School Funding Subcommittee made four suggestions for reducing the overall property tax including: closing the loophole allowing districts to engage in continual bonding after a bond issue has expired; allowing school districts to petition for increased state funding to lower their levy; mandating that school districts with "significant" cash reserves must either abate the excess reserves by lowering the levy or identify the purpose and use timeline for the funds; and instruct the Illinois State Board of Education to establish best practices for districts regarding debt and mandating long-term planning goals to assess a district’s finances.

The possibility of a petition, Kifowit said in a previous interview, would be a more widespread method of appealing to the state for districts than methods already in use like the Property Tax Relief Grant of the state’s education funding formula.

"This is a goal that I think we want to go forward, not having a selective grant process," Kifowit said. "If we could expand the grant program and make it more petition-based, then that would be a goal."

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January 30, 2020 at 09:40PM

January 30, 2020 0

Illinois lawmaker seeks to change state’s window tint restrictions

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An Illinois bill would allow drivers with certain medical conditions to tint all of their vehicle’s window surfaces.

Under existing law, it’s illegal to apply window tint to the driver side window or entire front windshield unless the primary operator of the vehicle has a condition such as albinism that makes sun exposure damaging to the skin. The law specifically prohibits issuing full surface window tint for “any condition, such as light sensitivity, for which protection from the direct rays of the sun can be adequately obtained by the use of sunglasses or other eye protective devices.”

State Rep. Maurice West’s legislation would allow for all window surfaces to be tinted if a driver has a medical condition, such light sensitivity due to brain trauma, that results in photophobia.

“They will get a special license plate that will tell our law enforcement that they are approved through the Secretary of State’s office,” he said.

If the measure is approved, the Rockford Democrat said it will benefit police as well because approaching a vehicle that they cannot see into presents a real danger.

“It makes life easier for our law enforcement because they will know why his windows are tinted,” he said.

West’s office said he plans to file an amendment to his bill to further specify the changes he wants to make to existing state law.

The window tint could be a useful backstop of protection to someone with photosensitivity beyond protective glasses, something West said could become a safety measure for others around them if a light-triggered migraine hits when they’re driving.

Michigan, Massachusetts, and North Carolina have window tinting exemptions for people with light sensitivity. West’s office said other states offer medical exemptions as well.

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January 30, 2020 at 10:43AM

January 30, 2020 0

St. Rep. Yednock’s amendment says collective bargaining is fundamentally necessary

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A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution would recognize collective bargaining as fundamentally necessary to protect workers. Ottawa Democratic St. Rep. Lance Yednock introduced it last week. It’s been referred to the House Rules Committee.

Yednock’s proposed amendment would need to be approved by voters to become part of the Illinois Bill of Rights. It would prohibit any law that would interfere with workers banding together to negotiate for pay, hours, benefits, and other things about their work. Yednock says it’s in response to Gov. Rauner’s positions against unions.

The bill number is HJRCA37.

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January 28, 2020 at 12:53PM

January 28, 2020 0

Bristow receives two awards for work on economy and jobs

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In recognition of her strong legislative record and efforts to fight for local businesses and economic development, state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) received both the Chamber Champion Award and the Catalyst Award from the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce.

“I am working to build a stronger Illinois, and that means building a stronger state and local economy where businesses, employers, and employees are all able to succeed,” Bristow said. “I am humbled to be honored by my longtime friends at the St. Louis Regional Chamber for my work for our regional economy that we share together in the Metro East.”

At the annual Chamber Champions Awards dinner, the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Bristow and other state, national, and local elected leaders from Illinois and Missouri for their work to help businesses and improve the regional economy. Bristow was named a Chamber Champion, and was one of two Illinois legislators to receive the Catalyst award for being a new member of the Illinois General Assembly dedicated to promoting businesses and economic growth. Bristow was the only legislator during the night to receive both awards. During the past year, Bristow has sponsored and supported numerous pieces of legislation to promote economic development in the Metro East and Illinois. These reforms included additional legislation supporting local businesses, tax credits rewarding innovation, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities. The St. Louis Regional Chamber represents the business community in the greater St. Louis area across 15 counties in both Illinois and Missouri.

“As the former president of the RiverBend Growth Association, I know the importance of chambers of commerce in promoting economic growth and advocating for their communities,” Bristow said. “During my time with the growth association, I worked to improve our local economy in the Metro East. I am now taking that experience to pass legislation to improve our local and state economy by attracting businesses and creating high-paying jobs.”

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