Rep. Cross presents SB1764 on the House Floor. (May 22, 2013)

SPRINGFIELD – House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) passed Senate Bill 1764 out of the Illinois House today.  This legislation would allow for felony charges when a hired driver transports passengers while under the influence of alcohol. 

This legislation emerged after limousine driver, Richard Madison, was charged with misdemeanor DUI and reckless conduct after transporting Oswego East High School students to their prom in Glen Ellyn earlier this month. Although Madison’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit, he was not charged with a felony. 

“We think the authorities should have the option to charge a driver with a felony in cases like this,” said Cross.  “In their wildest imagination, those Oswego parents and kids would not have thought that this driver on prom night would be drunk, we hope this bill serves as a deterrent.” 

While DUI is a Class A misdemeanor, current Illinois law allows for a DUI felony charge if a school bus driver is caught transporting passengers are under the age of 18 while under the influence of alcohol. 

This legislation would give States’ Attorneys the ability to charge a for-hire driver with a Class 4 felony if he/she is guilty of driving passengers while under the influence of alcohol.  This crime would be punishable by 1-3 years in prison or up to 2 ½ years of probation. In addition, a school bus driver who is guilty of driving under the influence will be guilty of felony aggravated DUI, regardless of the age of the passengers.

Rep. Cross worked with Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) and DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin to craft this legislation. 

In addition, SB 1764 also permits for enhanced criminal penalties for repeat violations of driving on a suspended or revoked license.  Current judicial interpretation does not permit the compounding of license revocations; SB 1764 would clarify the law to provide that, for penalty purposes, a driver’s license or permit may be subject to multiple suspensions or revocations

State Representative Kay Hatcher (R-Yorkville) presents “Property Taxes in Kendall County, Understanding the Assessment Process.”

Budget

• New budget concerns raised, as audit shows that less than half of money deposited by taxpayers in state Road Fund actually spent directly on road construction and repairs.  Observers say that “fund shifts” have become a key element of Springfield budget-making over the past ten years, with many factors (including political clout) helping to move money from place to place and from fund to fund.  A recent audit released by the nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General shows that less than half of the money allocated, mostly from motor fuel tax revenues, to the state Road Fund was actually used for building and rebuilding roads.  Some of the monies were allocated to servicing the bonds used to implement prior construction projects.  Other monies were appropriated by the General Assembly to non-road-related purposes.  Non-road-related purposes support the Office of the Secretary of State for earmarked state office worker salaries.  In addition, much of the Road Fund money was spent for road purposes not related to construction, such as the State Police for highway patrol purposes, snow removal, and highway sign upgrades.  The audit findings were released on Tuesday, May 14. 

Chicago

• McCormick Place, DePaul University announce plans to build a medium-sized sports arena on Chicago’s Near South Side.  The $195 million plan, which would include construction of a $173 million multipurpose arena, would be used for home games played by the DePaul Blue Demons basketball team.  When in use as a stadium, the arena would have a capacity of 10,000 spectators.  The coliseum could also be held for mass meetings and large-group events.  The proposed site, adjacent to Chicago’s McCormick Place, is in a neighborhood also tagged by political observers for other possible future developments, such as McCormick Place hotel space or a proposed land-based Chicago casino.  $125 million of the cost of building the arena and associated construction and renovation activities would be derived from a projected surplus in Chicago hotel-motel tax revenues ($70 million) and extending the life of a local TIF district ($55 million), with other necessary revenues coming from additional sources (including luxury box charges and a projected arena-name sponsorship).

DUI

• House Republicans Tom Cross, Dennis Reboletti and Kay Hatcher call for stricter DUI law for hired drivers.  The demand that Illinois tighten its aggravated DUI law followed an incident in which a driver, hired to transport Oswego teenagers to a Chicago-area prom celebration, was seen driving recklessly and charged with possessing a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit.  Aggravated DUI is a Class 4 felony for which a person, if convicted, can be sentenced to serve 1-3 years in state prison.  Driver Richard Madison’s conduct did not meet any of the legal tests existing under current law for Class 4 felony aggravated DUI, and he was charged with a misdemeanor.  Had the driver been operating a school bus that was transporting the same juveniles, he could have been charged with a felony.  Changes in Illinois state law could be enacted to close the existing legal gap between school-bus-felony DUI and hired-driver DUI.  The incident occurred on Saturday, May 11.  HB 3630 (Cross), which would make it a DUI factor in aggravation to transport passengers of any age in a school bus or vehicle-for-hire, was introduced on Tuesday, May 14. 

DuPage County

• County legislation to streamline, consolidate county offices.   SB 494 gives the DuPage County Board Chairman, Dan Cronin, the power to dissolve outdated or moribund county appointive agencies by simple ordinance.  Many local agencies within DuPage County and other counties maintain the legal responsibility to fight against fires and mosquitoes, to light and improve local streets, roads, and highways, and to carry out other tasks, even after much or all of the real duties of these local authorities has been moved elsewhere.  While this bill will apply only to DuPage County, lesson learned from this county could be applied to Illinois’ 101 other counties.  A bipartisan House vote of 108-6-0, on Tuesday, May 14, sent SB 494 to the Governor for final action.

Economy

• Illinois loses 2,000 more jobs in April 2013.  The further drop came on top of a weak job-creation performance that has made Illinois a laggard in recovery from the 2008-13 economic downturn.  While the Illinois unemployment rate dipped from 9.5 percent in March to 9.3 percent in April, an Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) spokesperson told the press that this downturn, in the context of decreasing Illinois jobs, could be explained in the context of an increasing number of discouraged workers dropping out of the labor force altogether.   The new joblessness figures were released late Thursday, May 16.  

Energy

• New “fracking” bill discussed.   After consultations between key elements of the energy production industry, environmental advocates, and state and local leaders, new legislation to put a legal foundation under the act of drilling into Illinois shale for oil and gas was publicly discussed for the first time on Wednesday, May 15.  HB 2615, as amended, will create incentives for oil and gas producers and their contractors to hire Illinois-based firms as subcontractors and hire Illinois labor.  The amended language contains prevailing-wage clauses requested by organized labor.  An amended description of the “fracking” process could impose slightly tighter regulatory burdens on production firms and their subcontractors based on the quantities of water used in the drilling and production process.  Advocates will push to have the amended bill enacted by the General Assembly before the scheduled adjournment date on May 31.  

Flooding

• Federal disaster aid approved for 11 hard-hit Illinois counties.  The Department of Homeland Security approved federal participation in the flood disaster declaration made for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, and Will Counties.  The disaster declaration, which includes access to grants for temporary housing and home repairs, loans for property losses, and other programs, covers all seven of the Chicago area’s largest counties in terms of population.  Efforts continue to win similar approval for federal help to be provided to 35 additional affected counties throughout Downstate Illinois.  The federal approval was received on Friday, May 10.

Guns

• Senate Democrats move language that would allow Chicago to sharply discourage concealed carry.  Senate Amendment #1 to HB 183, which was approved by the Senate Executive Committee on Thursday, May 16, would require persons who wish to carry a concealed firearm in Chicago to obtain an “endorsement” from the Chicago chief of police (an appointee of the Chicago mayor’s office).  The amendment creates an application fee and series of qualifications that concealed-carry applicants would have to meet both within and without Chicago.  Concealed-carry advocates did not agree with, or endorse, this week’s Senate language.  The language appeared to reflect continued gun-control support from key Chicago leaders, such as the Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Taxes

• General Assembly reaffirms 2012 intent, approves bill to complete a legal increase in taxes on little cigars by $1.00 a pack.  Little cigars are a tobacco product in which rolls of tobacco are wrapped like cigars but smoked like cigarettes.  The supporters of this bill asserted that it would close loopholes in existing laws and complete the process of bringing the tax on little cigars up to equality with state taxes on cigarettes.  The tax rates on both cigarettes and little cigars were increased in May 2012; the cigarette tax hike went into effect almost immediately, but the tax hike on little cigars was delayed because of litigation aimed at the original legal language passed in 2012.  Enacting new legal language in 2013 will settle this litigation and enable the tax on little cigars to be imposed and collected.  Money from the little cigar tax hike is allocated to Illinois health care.  The little cigar tax bill, SB 338, was approved by the House on Tuesday, May 14.  The House’s approval cleared the way for this measure to be sent to the Governor for final action.

State Representative TOM CROSS is seeking businesses to sign up to participate in a FREE JOBS FAIR coming up on THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST in Plainfield.  Please download the attached flyer to sign up! 

Click here to download the flyer

Plainfield — Illinois House Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) invites all citizens of the 97th District to attend his traveling office hours in Shorewood on Friday, May 24, 2013.

“This is a good opportunity for residents to have a chance to meet with our staff and discuss issues of concern regarding state government,” said Cross. “We are always happy to hear the opinions of our constituents.”

The purpose of traveling office hours is to provide access and services to constituents at a convenient location and time.

The traveling office hours will be held on Friday, May 24, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Troy Township Community Center located at 25448 Seil Rd. in Shorewood. A member of Rep. Cross’ district office staff will be available to meet with residents.

For more information, please contact Rep. Cross’ district office at 815/254-0000.

Springfield, IL – Today the Illinois Senate passed legislation that will provide for funding and support for diabetes research through the creation of a Diabetes Awareness license plate. 

House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) sponsored the legislation in the House which will provide funding for diabetes research in Illinois.  The legislation will deposit proceeds for the issuance of each license plate into the Diabetes Research Check Off fund. “A major component of this legislation will help fund research efforts for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and will hopefully lead to a cure,” said Cross.  “We also hope when individuals see the license plates on the road they will be encouraged to be screened themselves.” 

House Bill 1815was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).  

“I’ve long advocated for increased education and awareness of diabetes, a serious condition that affects citizens across all racial and social barriers. I am happy to have joined forces with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to carry solid bipartisan legislation that’s going to provide much needed funding to support Diabetes Awareness,” added Hunter.    

If signed into law by the governor, this bill would charge Diabetes Awareness license plate applicants a $40 fee for original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee. Of this fee, $25 would be deposited into the Diabetes Research Check Off Fund.  Money in the Diabetes Check Off Fund is made available through Illinois Department of Public Health grants.  The grants are dispersed to public or private entities, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association, in Illinois for the purpose of funding diabetes research.  

Experts say the sooner diabetes is diagnosed and properly treated, your chances decrease of being diagnosed with the potentially deadly side effects such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke.

Recent reports indicate that starting in 2010, personnel of federal IRS, including high-ranking and supervisory personnel, singled out American individuals and groups based on their apparent political leanings. These groups have been denied or delayed recognition of their nonprofit standing based upon how these groups use certain identification words favored by political conservatives, including “Tea Party”, “patriot”, and “9/12”.

“This is an outrageous violation of the trust that the American people have put in the federal government,” says McSweeney. “Any politically-motivated targeting of Americans by the IRS is intolerable and I expect a full investigation.”

Continue Reading at Chicago Tribune………..

“In a large, rural district we pay into the road fund every year with knowledge of the importance of good roads and safe bridges,” Halbrook said. “Now we learn that those dollars have taken a detour to pay for other purposes. It is irresponsible and it is wrong.”

The Auditor General’s report found that one-fourth of payments from the Road Fund in each of the last two years went not to road construction, but to salaries, insurance and other “non-direct” costs. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation predicts that one-third of roads under its jurisdiction will be below what it considers “acceptable” condition by the end of this decade.

“Too many of these games have been played over the past decade,” Halbrook said. “This budgetary sleight of hand has gotten the state into deep financial distress and it has to stop.”

In the past decade, taxpayers contributed $25 billion to the Road Fund with their gasoline taxes and license plate fees. The Auditor General found significant diversions in each of those years. The full report can be found at http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/.

As I’ve commented in the past, a prayer by an invited “person of faith” always is the first order of business as we begin session. I cherish this tradition. Many of their words are very inspirational.

Often the prayer is traditional. You can always recognize when great effort has gone into finding the right words in planning the prayer. Occasionally the prayer is very different. On May 8, 2013 Pastor Stephen Swanson of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Villa Park, Illinois, the guest of a bright young legislator, Representative Deborah Conroy (D-Downers Grove), delivered the following message:

It was a warm spring day, we lowered the top on our old convertible for a drive on the hilly roads that follow the Ohio River from Cairo to Metropolis. We came down a steep decline to a narrow bridge that crossed a small river and had to stop. On the bridge was a skunk that had gotten its head stuck in a chocolate syrup can and was now running back and forth from one side of the bridge to the other.

What to do. We could turn around and drive back the way we came, accelerate and hope not to hit the skunk as we crossed the bridge or get out of the car, walk up to the skunk and remove the chocolate syrup can…at the risk of being misunderstood.

You have been elected to a holy calling, to write laws that resist evil and provide order for the common good of all people of Illinois.

Let us pray. O God, bless each of these legislators with wisdom and courage to fulfill their call, a call to write laws that “recover sight to the blind, bring liberty to the oppressed and good news to the poor”…even at the risk of being misunderstood. Amen

I’ve saved excerpts of prayers delivered that I’ve found memorable. Who delivered them? lost in the fog of time. One brief excerpt that has stayed with me is “you can deliver a better sermon with your life than with you lips”.

The following is attributed to being found in the pocket of a dead confederate soldier at Gettysburg:  “I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.”

I will go to my grave giving thanks for the privilege of serving as an Illinois State Representative. When my day comes to leave this hallowed chamber, as much as the people, I will miss the prayer.