“I am very happy to serve on this task force and to work with members on both sides of the aisle to help bring more jobs to Illinois,” said Sullivan.  “By putting the best minds in the state together while working with business and labor leaders we can come up with a long-term strategy to bring Illinois out of this deep recession.”

Data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) shows that Lake County’s unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in November.  Lake’s percentage is right on with Illinois’ at 10.5 yet is above the national average of 9.4 percent.

“We have double digit unemployment here at home and something needs to get done,” said Sullivan.  “This task force is a step in the right direction to breaking Illinois’ economic drought.”

I would like to take a moment to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season. I am proud of the many parents, educators, community leaders, first responders, small business owners, and working families who make Lake County such a special place to live. We are truly a community rich in talent, determination, and vision for a brighter tomorrow. In spite of the many challenges posed by a difficult economy and a nation at war, I hope you share my optimism for our future. Together we can accomplish much for our families as we look forward to 2010.

In a turbulent year that began with the first-ever impeachment of an Illinois Governor and continued with contentious debates over the future of ethics and campaign finance reform as well as the critical need to reign in state spending, create jobs, and strengthen our economy – we have held strong together through some stormy seas. As we prepare to gather with family and friends to celebrate this holiday season, let us also welcome the coming of a new year filled with untapped opportunities to renew our vitality and strength as a community.

I hope you also join me in thanking our troops serving overseas for their selfless sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. Let’s keep them and their families foremost in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.

Warm Regards,

Ed Sullivan
State Representative
51st District

The hearing is the final in a series of eight regional meetings held throughout the state this fall by the Illinois State Board of Education’s Finance and Audit Committee to provide an update on the Board’s budget and priorities for FY 2011. The Board also plans to outline their three Strategic Plan Goals; that (1) Every student will demonstrate academic achievement and be prepared for success after high school, (2) Every student will be supported by highly prepared and effective teachers and school leaders, and (3) Every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.

The public is invited and welcome to attend the hearing on Wednesday, December 9 at Mundelein School District 75’s Lincoln School Multipurpose Room, located at 200 West Maple Avenue (Route 176). The hearing is scheduled for 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

“This regional budget hearing is a valuable way for local parents and interested community leaders to learn about the direction of education policy in Illinois heading into the new year,” Rep. Sullivan said. “I encourage all those interested in the status and future of education in our community to attend and participate in the dialogue. Together we can ensure the continued strength of our local schools.”

For questions, additional information, or to inquire about special accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to attend, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at the State Board of Education at 217-782-2221 or TTY/TDD at 217-782-1900.

The Senior Health Fair will feature over 30 community organizations on hand to provide information and resources regarding the various services available to seniors in the community. Representatives from each of the local health and community organizations will be present to talk with seniors and answer questions on a wide range of senior health and lifestyle issues.

Some of the free services available to seniors at the event include; flu shots, photo ID renewal, blood pressure screening, vision and hearing tests, body composition testing, and new copies of the “Rules of the Road” handbook for drivers from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

Admission to the Senior Health Fair is free and coffee and donuts will be provided. Seniors from throughout the 26th State Senate and 51^st Representative Districts are invited and encouraged to attend.

“We are eagerly looking forward to our second annual Senior Health Fair,” Rep. Sullivan said. “The local health and community organizations featured at this expo include many of our area’s leading advocates and experts on senior health and lifestyle issues. Our expo is an informative and worthwhile event for local seniors.”

For questions or additional information regarding Representative Sullivan’s Senior Health Fair, please contact Sullivan’s District Office by calling (847) 566-5115.

The new law, approved as House Bill 3716, was sponsored in the House by Rep. Sullivan and in the Senate by Sen. Michael Bond (D-Grayslake). The law allocates money for the establishment of new cyber gang units within the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group as well as the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

“This new law will empower local law enforcement agencies with the tools and funding they need to make a major effort to crack down on gang activity through use of the Internet,” Rep. Sullivan said. “This law is innovative, exceptional, and far-reaching in its ability to utilize modern technology in order to track and prevent gang activity. I thank the members of local law enforcement for their input during this process and commend my colleagues in both parties for their support in making this day possible.”

Under the law, the Cyber Gang Units will have the ability to investigate criminal activities of organized gangs that involve use of the Internet. The law also provides the peace officers in each Cyber Gang Unit the extra-jurisdictional authority to conduct investigations and make arrests anywhere in the State of Illinois regarding criminal activities of organized gangs that involve use of the Internet. The pilot program becomes effectively immediately and will remain active for three years, expiring on July 1, 2012.

For questions or more information, please contact Rep. Sullivan’s District Office by phone at (847) 566-5115 or via e-mail at ilhouse51@sbcglobal.net.

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“I welcome all residents of the 51^st District to stop by and say hello next time they are in the area,” Rep. Sullivan said. “Our phone number and e-mail address are remaining the same, but our new district office location affords better parking options for visitors and increased accessibility at a major intersection in Mundelein.”

Sullivan, a native of Mundelein, has served as State Representative since 2003. He is currently in his fourth term and serves as the Minority Spokesman on the Consumer Protection Committee in addition to his membership on the Labor, Mass Transit, Revenue & Finance, Public Utilities, and Telecommunications Committees.

The 51^st District includes all or portions of Mundelein, Libertyville, Lake Zurich, Kildeer, Deer Park, Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Round Lake Park, Barrington, Wauconda, Grayslake, Green Oaks, and Waukegan.

Rep. Sullivan’s District Office can be contacted by phone at (847) 566-5115 or via e-mail at ilhouse51@sbcglobal.net. Regular office hours are 9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday or by appointment.

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The site is the latest effort by House Republicans to incorporate public opinion and cultivate a broad range of feedback to help address the growing state budget crisis and fuel the need for budget and ethics reform.

“Nowhere is Illinois’ need for reform more urgent than on the issues of ethics, Medicaid, and pension reform,” said Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda). “Our economic stability as a state depends upon our ability to make long-overdue reforms in these three key areas.”

Stressing the need for fiscal discipline and keeping the state’s priorities in the right place, Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) said: “We should focus on a long-term plan to pay down our historic debt while meeting current obligations in the areas of education, public safety, and human services for those who depend on them most. ‘Re-inventing’ Illinois means changing the way we think about solving common problems by encouraging new ideas.”

Noting the urgency of current economic challenges, Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) said: “With unemployment at a 25-year high, we need to reach out and embrace the public’s demand for reform in our budget process and strengthen ethics in state government. Public input is an invaluable resource in moving forward with common goals in mind.”

“Government must begin to live within its means,” added Assistant Minority Leader JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch). “The people we represent can help us reform our broken budget process and bring real change to Springfield by utilizing this new website.”

To join the discussion on how to reform state government, please visit www.reinventillinois.com and register for a free login to begin submitting your ideas.

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The House voted down a plan advocated by Governor Quinn to raise the income tax rate by 50% on individuals (from 3 to 4.5%) while boosting the corporate income tax rate to the maximum allowed under the State Constitution (from 4.8 to 7.2%). Needing 60 votes for passage, the Quinn income tax plan failed by a margin of 42-74-2.

The Lake County Republican delegation to the Illinois House responded to the Democrat leadership’s hurried attempt to pass a budget mere hours before Sunday’s deadline and expressed resolve in their shared commitment not to raise taxes on working families.

“Today we acted on principle and stood up for the taxpayers of Illinois,” said Assistant Minority Leader JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch). “With thousands of people out of work and struggling to afford their families’ daily needs, an income tax hike is the wrong policy to solve our budget crisis during this time of economic hardship.”

Echoing those sentiments, State Rep. Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake), noted how the income tax plan failed to address the needs of families and the challenge of creating new jobs. “When I talk to people in my district, they reinforce how important it is that we focus on creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for our families,” Rep. Cole said. “The state budget should reflect the same tough choices and financial realities that our local families’ budgets face every day. The state must learn to live within its means.”

State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Wauconda), the House Republican budget negotiator, stressed how an income tax increase would cripple both families and businesses alike:

“An income tax increase would probably not even have brought in as much revenue as predicted because people would have voted with their feet and moved to states with a lower tax burden,” Beaubien said. “A tax increase would have proven to be a disincentive for hard work. If you thought our economy was in trouble now, just imagine the effects of a tax increase. Our state is already ranked in the bottom rung of states for its horrible business climate. A tax increase would probably have made us the worst. I am pleased that the tax increase failed and that we can get on with the necessary belt-tightening,”

Adding to those sentiments, State Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) highlighted the need for Illinois to reform its spending habits and focus on pro-growth economic policies:

“Increasing income taxes would not have made Illinois’ budget woes disappear. In fact, it would have only exacerbated the problem because it would encourage more wasteful spending,” Rep. Sullivan said. “We need to fix our spending habits, instead of giving a blank check to those who got us in this mess. With unemployment at 9.4% and climbing, a tax hike would have harmed our middle class and hurt our economy.”

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“Lake County MEG has additional resources and much needed staffing that can benefit the cyber gang unit,” said Rep. Sullivan. “This anti-gang initiative empowers law enforcement with the tools they need to make a major effort to crack down on gang activity through use of the Internet.”

“Lake County MEG will enable the program to be even more effective in its ability to utilize modern technology in order to track and prevent gang activity,” continued Sullivan. “I’m pleased that Lake County MEG will be able to take charge of the massive responsibility that comes with running a pilot program benefiting the entire state.”

In Illinois, there are currently 9 Metropolitan Enforcement Groups (MEG) comprised of officers from state police, county and local police, and 14 Illinois State Police sponsored drug task forces. These multi-jurisdictional law enforcement units focus on the investigation of illegal drugs, gangs, and weapons offenses.

“Gangs have taken their neighborhood feuds, colors, and rituals online, using websites to communicate with each other and sometimes to pick online fights with rival gangs,” said Sullivan. “What starts online can quickly spill onto the streets and so the more we empower police agencies to monitor these activities to learn all they can about area gangs and their members, the more successful we can be in tracking and preventing gang activity.”

SPRINGFIELD, IL…Today State Representative Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) supported efforts to block a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Illinois lawmakers and other elected officials. The COLA would take effect unless lawmakers act to prevent it.

“At a time when the Illinois unemployment rate is 9.1% and our state budget deficit is as much as $12.4 billion, lawmakers have no business accepting a pay increase of any size,” said Sullivan. “Not only do Democrats want massive tax increases on working families to pay for more spending, but they now want to pocket some of that money themselves. This is an outrage.”

Rep. Sullivan is co-sponsoring HB 4438, a bill which would prohibit a pay raise for constitutional officers, department and cabinet positions, General Assembly members, judges, and state’s attorneys. The House Republicans sought a discharge motion so the bill could be debated on the House floor but the House Democrats refused to allow the bill to be debated.

“Blocking these pay increases would save as much as $2 million from the state budget. There are layoffs happening every day, even the Chicago Tribune announced a reduction in its newsroom staff just today,” said Sullivan. “It is an outrage that the legislature is even having a debate about an increase in our pay at a time of 9.1% unemployment. I will continue to work to stop this pay increase from happening during our state’s time of desperate economic need.”