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Legislator proposes letting residents elect Aurora library board

http://bit.ly/2Sa1oU2

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit thinks Aurora voters should decide if they want more direct control of the Aurora Public Library board.

The Aurora Democrat has proposed a bill that would allow residents to have a referendum question on whether to elect the board, or continue having members appointed by the mayor.


“It just seems over time the library board has become less and less responsive to the taxpaying residents,” Kifowit said Monday.

But Mayor Richard Irvin said that since taking office in 2017 he has taken measures to move the library toward greater self-sufficiency, including managing its own payroll and insurance services.

And he called Kifowit’s bill “incomplete.”

It “doesn’t reflect what a true autonomous taxing body should be. Had she taken the time to speak with the city or the library, a comprehensive bill could have been drafted based on simple communication and clear intention,” Irvin said in a prepared statement.

Recent turmoil over a proposal to move the library’s West Branch to a different site is part of the reason Kifowit is sponsoring the bill.

Residents did not know about the plans “until the mayor let it slip” last fall, Kifowit said. Irvin mentioned the idea at 5th Ward alderman’s meeting.

“That’s not proper representative government,” Kifowit said.

The library board has nine members, who are appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the city council. Board President John Savage has been on the board since November 2010; his appointment expires June 30, 2020, as do thee other members’ appointments. Four appointments expire June 30; and the last on June 30, 2021.

The board develops the library’s budget and tax levy, but it’s the city council that has the final vote on both. It appears from state law that even if the board was elected, the city would still get to vote on the budget and levy.


State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia of Aurora has signed on as co-sponsor. Kifowit said she believes state Sen. Linda Holmes of Aurora will sponsor the bill in the Senate.

To get a referendum question on the ballot, residents would either have to collect signatures equivalent to 10 percent of the number of people who vote in a consolidated election or persuade the city council to put the question on the ballot.

The referendum could be held during a general-election primary. The next such primary is in March 2020.

If voters decide they want to elect board members, they would then vote for candidates in the 2021 consolidated election. They would choose one representative each from every city ward, and an at-large member, according to House Bill 910

In 2014, Kifowit enacted a law to allow residents of the Fox Valley Park District to elect its board. But last year, Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed her bill to elect members of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District board.





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Feeds,News,DuPage,Region: AH,Region: Suburbs,City: Arlington Heights

via DailyHerald.com > Top News http://bit.ly/174gVno

January 28, 2019 at 05:04PM

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Rep. Maurice West to host open house

http://bit.ly/2DC3bZG

Monday


Jan 28, 2019 at 9:29 AM
Jan 28, 2019 at 9:29 AM


ROCKFORD — State Rep. Maurice West II, D-Rockford, will hose an open house from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at his office at the E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi Center, Suite 304, 200 S. Wyman St.

Residents can meet West and learn about the constituent services offered by his staff. West’s office will typically be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

For information: 815-987-7433; assistance@staterepwest.com.

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Region: Northern,Feeds,News,Northern,Rockford,Region: Rockford,City: Rockford

via News – Rockford Register Star http://bit.ly/2EKPn15

January 28, 2019 at 09:47AM

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Aurora area women in Springfield focus on mentoring, leadership

https://trib.in/2FRHLu5

Linda Chapa LaVia has come a long way from that young mom considering a run for public office back in 2001, who tried to hide in the corner at a hoity-toity fundraiser featuring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

That’s the evening the long-time Illinois politician learned the Aurora woman was not only a small business owner and bilingual but also a United States Army veteran.

“Run, you will win,” Chapa LaVia recalls Durbin telling her point blank.

And she did — becoming the first female Latina outside Cook County to be elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

With Democrats now holding a super majority, “there’s nowhere else to point the blame,” she rightfully noted. “We need to proceed with caution because with greater power comes greater responsibility.”

As does leadership.

“When we leave,” Holmes said, “we need to make sure other women are prepared to step into that role.”

Chapa LaVia said when she called her mother to tell her that her peers overwhelmingly voted her in as assistant majority leader, “I was so excited that I was crying … but I’m not sure she understood it all. For her, it was just another first.”

“I hope I can live up to her expectations,” Chapa LaVia said. “My most important role is to help women see their full potential.”

dcrosby@tribpub.com

Twitter @dencrosby

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City: Aurora,Region: W Suburbs,Opinion

via Beacon News Opinion – Aurora Beacon-News https://trib.in/2D6gBgz

January 28, 2019 at 06:06AM

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Illinois House bill seeks more updates on closed nuclear facilities, including lakefront plant in Zion

https://trib.in/2sPPJv3

In what she describes as an effort to ensure protections for residents and the environment from residual radioactivity, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, has introduced legislation to require biannual reports on nuclear power plants going through decommissioning.

Mason, whose district includes the former nuclear reactor facility in Zion that is currently being decommissioned, is sponsoring a bill that would require the Illinois Commerce Commission to provide a biannual report to the Illinois General Assembly on the issue.

“As a state representative whose district contains a decommissioning nuclear power plant, it is especially important for me to take extra precautions for the safety of my constituents,” Mason said in a statement released Friday.

“The process of decommissioning nuclear power plants can be complex and complicated, and requiring biannual reports is one more way for us as legislators to make sure that our communities are protected,” Mason added.

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Feeds,News,Region: Chicago,City: Chicago,Opinion

via Home – Chicago Tribune https://trib.in/1LjWzdx

January 27, 2019 at 07:18AM

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Jehan Gordon-Booth Elected Deputy Majority Leader

http://bit.ly/2Hxpcge

State representative Jehan Gordan-Booth has a new job title. The Peoria democrat was recently elected Deputy Majority Leader for the Illinois House of Representatives.

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Feeds,News,Region: Peoria,City: Peoria,Region: Central

via http://bit.ly/22nyrPZ

January 25, 2019 at 07:27AM

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Scherer to chair education committee

http://bit.ly/2RFl02G

Scherer to chair education committee MGN

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, will draw on her experience from 34 years as a public school teacher and legislative efforts to expand access to quality education as the new chair of the House Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter School Committee.

“In order to provide a world-class education to our students, we need the best and brightest teachers to guide them and properly run schools to help them grow,” Scherer said. “This committee will be responsible for implementing policies that bring more qualified teachers to Illinois and help improve the way our schools function.”

Scherer previously served as vice-chair of the Elementary & Secondary Education: Licensing Administration & Oversight Committee. In her new role, Scherer will be responsible for heading the newly created committee to address education issues related to public school administration, licensing as well as charter school policies. Prior to serving in the General Assembly, Scherer was a public school teacher for more than 30 years in Central Illinois.

Throughout her tenure as a legislator, Scherer has worked to bring her experience in the classroom to the Statehouse. During her first term, Scherer championed legislation emphasizing the need for early childhood education by lowering the mandatory school attendance age. In her roles on various House education committees, Scherer also worked closely with Sen. Andy Manar on education funding reform.

“As a teacher, I saw firsthand how state policies impacted the way educators and administrators educate our children and operate our schools,” Scherer said. “I’m committed to working with members of this committee to support new laws that improve our schools here in Central Illinois and across the state.”

010-Inoreader Saves,02-Pol,09-ILSN,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,XHLSN 3

via ILLINOISHOMEPAGE

January 22, 2019 at 10:07PM

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State Sen. Connor ‘encouraged’ by gun dealer licensing law

http://bit.ly/2R8a095

John Connor, D-Lockport
John Connor, D-Lockport

State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, released a statement saying he was “encouraged” by a new law signed last week that aims to keep guns out of the wrong hands by mandating new state licensing for gun shops.

“For years, our state has required licenses for businesses that sell alcohol, car dealerships and other operations,” Connor said. “It makes sense that gun dealers also should follow common-sense safety standards.”

Connor said he sponsored and supported the bipartisan Senate Bill 337, also known as the Combating Illegal Gun Trafficking Act, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Thursday.

Under the new law, state police are empowered to certify gun dealers to better track sales. The law also mandates criminal background checks for gun shop employees, creates an annual training requirement for employees to understand background checks, requires video surveillance at locations that sell guns and grants greater authority for law enforcement.

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News,City: Joliet,Region: Joliet

via The Herald-News http://bit.ly/2CJDfuJ

January 22, 2019 at 09:53PM

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State Rep. Kifowit talks new Illinois laws with district residents

http://bit.ly/2sJKZac

State Rep. Kifowit talks new state laws with district residents

By Erika Wurst For Chronicle Media — January 22, 2019

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit explains one of the new Illinois laws for this year during an informational meeting at the Eola Road Aurora Library on Jan. 17. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

New year. New you. New laws. New rules.

Illinois lawmakers passed more than 250 bills in 2018 that become law this year, and it’s a lot of information to consume.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit D-Aurora sat down with her constituents at the Eola Road Aurora Library Jan. 17 to discuss what the new legislation means to Illinois residents, and to highlight some of the most pertinent changes that will affect their everyday lives.

Kifowit was joined by lobbyist Brianna Lantz, who warned residents not to get overwhelmed at the idea of having hundreds of new laws to abide by.

“People see that 250 number and think, “We don’t need that many laws in Illinois.’,” Lantz said. “But, one thing legislators are is precise.”

Many of the new laws are old laws that have been tweaked in minor ways for clarity. By changing even one or two words, a new law is born.

“It’s a little misleading,” Lantz said.

However, out of the more than 250 new laws, some are indeed fresh and worth noting. Kifowit took time to discuss the top 10 passed bills that she feels people should be aware of.

  1. Look Back for Safety (H.B. 4377) states that a child under the age of two must be in a rear-facing car seat unless the child is more than 40 pounds or 40 inches tall.
  2. Active Shooter Drills (S.B. 2350) is a new law that requires schools to hold at least one drill simulating an active shooter or other threat to the school building within the first 90 days of each school year. Law enforcement officers are to observe these drills. “We hope it never happens, but we want to be prepared,” Kifowit said.
  3. Employee Expense Reimbursement (S.B. 2999) was passed to protect workers, Kifowit explained. If your boss requires you to use your own computer or phone for work, he/she must now have a reimbursement policy in place.
  4. Carnival Worker Background Checks (S.B. 3240) was passed in response to 2014 tragedy where a young boy was killed by two brothers who were carnival employees. While the amusement ride company was required to perform background checks on employees that operate rides, it did not have to do so for other employees. “We want to make sure we can have fun without the fear of someone in our midst who wants to do us harm,” Kifowit said.

    State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit answers a question while discussing a new firearm restraining order law an informational meeting she held at the Eola Road Aurora Library on Jan. 17. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

  1. Helping Threatened Animals (S.B. 2270) allows local law enforcement officers to take temporary custody of a cat or dog they believe to be in a life-threatening situation due to “extreme heat or cold conditions.”
  2. Me Too Protections Expanded (S.B. 405) states that each bidder on a state contract must have a sexual harassment policy in place complying with the Human Rights Act.
  3. Social Media Stalking (S.B 3411) allows unwanted messages sent over social media applications to be consider stalking behavior under the Illinois Stalking Law. The new law also allows institutions like schools, churches, and businesses to file orders of protection, like in the case of a mass shooter.
  4. Blazing Pink (H.B.4231) is one for the hunters. The new law allows hunters to choose blazing orange or blazing pink apparel for visibility.
  5. Nursing Moms and Jury Duty (H.B. 05745) means nursing moms can be excluded from jury duty at their request to tend to their child.

“New moms have enough to deal with already,” Kifowit said of the law.

  1. Firearm Restraining Order (H.B.2354) gives police or family members of a firearm owner the ability to petition the court for an emergency or six-month restraining order to temporarily remove those weapons from the gun owner’s possession if that person is a proven danger.

“This is a good law in regards to domestic violence victims, and this is also a good public safety law,” Kifowit said.

All of the bills can be accessed on the Illinois General Assembly website at http://www.ilga.gov.

 

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Feeds,News,Region: Statewide,State

via Chronicle Media http://bit.ly/2nXDppq

January 22, 2019 at 09:46AM

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State Rep. Karina Villa opens district office in Batavia

http://bit.ly/2RXo9KC

BATAVIA- State Rep. Karina Villa (D- West Chicago) is inviting residents to learn more about the services her district office can provide in an open house from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the office, 106 W. Wilson St. Suite 13, her office announced in a news release.

“It is important to me that my neighbors know I am readily accessible to them, that I’m here to help them cut through red tape and navigate state services,” Villa said in the release. “Even if it’s just to voice their concern about a bill or relay their thoughts about the direction our state is headed, I want everyone to feel welcome in the office.”

Villa’s office grand opening will give residents the opportunity to personally meet her and share their thoughts about issues facing the state. Villa’s office staff is committed to helping members of the community with available resources from the state or answering specific questions they have, according to the release. �

In order to further help residents connect with services and share their thoughts, Villa will host regular satellite office hours throughout her district to be announced next month.

Villa represents the state’s 49th district, which includes parts of Batavia, St. Charles, Geneva and South Elgin. Her office will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and can be reached at staterepkarinavilla@gmail.com.

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Politics,Region: W Suburbs

via Kane County Chronicle http://bit.ly/2FmsccL

January 20, 2019 at 05:37AM

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