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Illinois State Rep. Dan Beiser to step down effective immediately

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State Rep. Beiser, right, at Banker for a Day event in 2015. (Credit: Office of the Illinois State Representative District 111)State Rep. Beiser, right, at Banker for a Day event in 2015. (Credit: Office of the Illinois State Representative District 111)
ALTON, Ill. (KMOV.com) –

Illinois State Representative Dan Beiser released a statement on Sunday announcing he would step down effective immediately.

“Serving our Metro East community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Beiser said in the statement released Sunday afternoon. “I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people to help improve our communities and I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together.”

Beiser announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election. Beiser says the decision is based around his family.

“In the interest of spending more time with my wife, Teri, my children and grandchildren, I have decided to step down effective today, December 17.”

Copyright 2017 KMOV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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Maurice West Announces Candidacy for 67th District

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Representative Litesa Wallace will not seek re-election in the house as she runs for lieutenant governor with Daniel Biss. A Rockford man is throwing his name into the ring to take her seat.

Maurice West announced his candidacy for the 67th district representative’s seat today.   Litesa Wallace will have to vacate her seat in the house no matter the outcome of the election.

West’s reason for running is to bring Rockford closer together.

“I’m tired of , I don’t know about you but I’m tired of I-90 Rockford and downtown Rockford. We are simply Rockford. And the district serves Rockford and a little bit of Loves Park.” 

West said in an interview today.

West moved to Rockford when he was five and went to school in RPS 205. He has been involved in local politics in the community since he finished college. 
 

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New tax credit for teachers

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New tax credit for teachersCopyright 2017 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Soon, teachers and principals won’t have to dig deep into their pockets to pay for school supplies anymore. A new tax credit will give teachers $250 in state money to help offset some classroom costs.

The federal government allows teachers to write off $250 already, but this additional money will allow them to use up to $500 per school year to deduct classroom needs.

Teachers will now have more resources than ever before to put into their classrooms. It’s not just thanks to lawmakers passing a new school funding formula.

A bill sponsored by former teacher herself, Representative Sue Scherer (D) will put an additional $250 into the hands of educators.

“It’s very useful to great recognition of what teachers do, how much money they spend for materials and supplies and basic needed that some other students have in the classroom.”

The federal government already allows teachers to write off $250 on their taxes. Now, the state will match that and give them another $250, providing some financial relief.

“I know, when I was teaching, I spent upwards of about $2,000 a year for supplies, for clothing, for food, whatever my students needed to be successful.”

It also helps parents who might not be able to afford their child’s entire school supply list.

“I think it’s going to make a big difference. I don’t think it’s going to cover everything still, but I think it’ll make a huge difference.”

In order to get the credit, they’ll have to work at least 900 hours a school year. Parents say it’s a big step towards helping low-income districts get support every classroom deserves.

“I find, when you get to the middle year, teachers are struggling. They don’t have supplies. They don’t even have cleaning supplies to keep the desks clean.”

This new credit went into effect this school year. It was part of the budget which passed in July. So, while many teachers don’t know about it, hopefully the word gets out to help them offset some out-of-pocket costs.

The State Board of Education says students taking the PARCC Test are improving their scores. Districts made the change three years ago and school officials say now they can see trends in areas they need to improve and utilize more resources to increase scores.

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Ammons won’t run for Davis’ seat

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Photo by: Holly Hart

Holly Hart/The News-Gazette State Representative Carol Ammons hosts a “listening session” at the Champaign Public Library, while exploring a bid for U.S. 13th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis. Sunday, June 4, 2017.

URBANA — Saying it was “one of the hardest decisions of my life,” State Representative Carol Ammons has decided not to run for Congress.

“With my deepest appreciation for your support and encouragement, I have decided not to run for the 13th Congressional District in 2018,” Ammons posted on her Facebook page on Monday night.

Ammons, D-Urbana, had been considering challenging incumbent Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, for the past two months and held several “listening sessions” throughout the district during that time.

“Across the 13th Congressional District, from Champaign-Urbana to Edwardsville, I heard you say that the issues and policies impacting your lives on a day-to-day basis, the ones pushing you into survival mode, crushing your families and dampening your children’s dreams, are primarily state issues,” Ammons said. “What I heard at the listening sessions, loudest and clearest, is that right now I am needed most in state government, fighting for Champaign-Urbana and all of Illinois in 2018.”

Ammons, a two-term state representative and former Urbana City Council and Champaign County Board member, said she intends to continue to serve in state government.

“Although many have asked me to run for Congress, many more have asked me to remain a voice in Springfield,” she said. “Right now, Springfield is where I need to be and I promise to continue to be your voice when you’re not there to speak for yourselves.”

Ammons said that, just because she is not pursuing a Congressional seat, she will continue her criticism of Davis.

“Make no mistake — I will still be using my voice to hold Congressman Davis accountable in the coming election,” Ammons said. “He voted to take health coverage away from more than 50,000 of his constituents and has refused to honor his constituent’s requests for town halls.”

During an appearance at the Champaign Public Library in June, Ammons had expressed concerns over raising enough money to challenge Davis.

“What prevents me from declaring tomorrow is the big dollar sign we’ve got to raise,” Ammons said. “If we can’t raise enough money to outspend Americans For Prosperity, which is supporting Rodney Davis and giving him the money, it makes it difficult for me to be competitive.”

The 13th Congressional District extends from Champaign-Urbana on the northeast to Collinsville and Edwardsville on the southwest. It includes all of Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield and parts of Bloomington-Normal.

Ammons did not immedately return calls from The News-Gazette for comment.

Ammons’ husband, Aaron Ammons, serves on the Urbana City Council.

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Ammons won’t run for Davis’ seat

http://ift.tt/2eJBMuM

335716_0605_loca_1_carol_ammons_ev.jpg

Photo by: Holly Hart

Holly Hart/The News-Gazette State Representative Carol Ammons hosts a “listening session” at the Champaign Public Library, while exploring a bid for U.S. 13th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis. Sunday, June 4, 2017.

URBANA — Saying it was “one of the hardest decisions of my life,” State Representative Carol Ammons has decided not to run for Congress.

“With my deepest appreciation for your support and encouragement, I have decided not to run for the 13th Congressional District in 2018,” Ammons posted on her Facebook page on Monday night.

Ammons, D-Urbana, had been considering challenging incumbent Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, for the past two months and held several “listening sessions” throughout the district during that time.

“Across the 13th Congressional District, from Champaign-Urbana to Edwardsville, I heard you say that the issues and policies impacting your lives on a day-to-day basis, the ones pushing you into survival mode, crushing your families and dampening your children’s dreams, are primarily state issues,” Ammons said. “What I heard at the listening sessions, loudest and clearest, is that right now I am needed most in state government, fighting for Champaign-Urbana and all of Illinois in 2018.”

Ammons, a two-term state representative and former Urbana City Council and Champaign County Board member, said she intends to continue to serve in state government.

“Although many have asked me to run for Congress, many more have asked me to remain a voice in Springfield,” she said. “Right now, Springfield is where I need to be and I promise to continue to be your voice when you’re not there to speak for yourselves.”

Ammons said that, just because she is not pursuing a Congressional seat, she will continue her criticism of Davis.

“Make no mistake — I will still be using my voice to hold Congressman Davis accountable in the coming election,” Ammons said. “He voted to take health coverage away from more than 50,000 of his constituents and has refused to honor his constituent’s requests for town halls.”

During an appearance at the Champaign Public Library in June, Ammons had expressed concerns over raising enough money to challenge Davis.

“What prevents me from declaring tomorrow is the big dollar sign we’ve got to raise,” Ammons said. “If we can’t raise enough money to outspend Americans For Prosperity, which is supporting Rodney Davis and giving him the money, it makes it difficult for me to be competitive.”

The 13th Congressional District extends from Champaign-Urbana on the northeast to Collinsville and Edwardsville on the southwest. It includes all of Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield and parts of Bloomington-Normal.

Ammons did not immedately return calls from The News-Gazette for comment.

Ammons’ husband, Aaron Ammons, serves on the Urbana City Council.

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Moeller, Castro Partner with Citizens Utility Board Partner for Free Utility Bill Analysis Clinic

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ELGIN, Ill. – To help families save money on their phone, gas, and electric bills, state Rep. Anna Moeller and State Sen. Cristina Castro, D – Elgin, are teaming with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) for a free utility bill clinic on Monday, Jan. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, located at 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin.

“Increasing utility bills, especially during the winter, places an added financial burden on many families already struggling to make ends meet,” Moeller said. “These seminars are very helpful in educating consumers about the services they need and how much they should be paying for them.”

CUB was created as a non-profit and non-partisan group by the General Assembly in 1983 with the purpose of representing the interests of residential utility customers in Illinois. Both Moeller and Castro are looking forward to this event and plan to host future utility bill clinics in the Elgin area to help show consumers how to cut cost on their gas, electric, and phone bills.

Space is limited and an RSVP is required. Consumers should bring a copy of their gas, electric and/or phone bill to go over with a CUB representative to learn how they may be able to save money.

“It can be very confusing and frustrating trying to understand all the different charges on an electric, gas or phone bill,” Castro said. “Fortunately, this free utility bill clinic can give residents cost-saving information in one convenient location.”

To RSVP, please call Rep. Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

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State Rep.-Elect Stuart invites residents to ‘Coffee with Katie’ in Edwardsville

http://ift.tt/2iEzuKA State Rep.-Elect Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) is inviting residents to her first “Coffee with Katie” community meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 14, at Sacred Grounds Café, 223 N. Main St., in Edwardsville, according to a press release.

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