“We need to stress that this does not affect current employees,” said Sullivan.  “With these changes to future employees’ pensions, the state will be saving upwards of $100 billion over the next few decades.  What was signed into law today is a step in the right direction towards stabilizing the long-term fiscal health of our state and protecting the pension systems from insolvency.”

SB 1946 changes the pension system for all new hires for state universities, state government, city and county governments and both downstate and Chicago teachers while excluding only police and fire employees.  For new hires, the retirement age has been increased to 67 to receive a full pension, the maximum pensionable salary has been capped at $106,000, and no new hires will be able to collect a pension from one system while continuing to work for another. The bill will not change any retirement benefits for employees currently working for the State. 
 
“I have been calling for pension reform for years,” said Sullivan.  “Decades of pension raids and pension sweeteners have led us down the path of Illinois having the worst funded pension system in the nation.  Today we started down the long road to fixing not only our pension system, but also the budget crisis we are currently in.”

“Everyday, people have to crunch their own home budget to make ends meet,” said Sullivan.  “It is time for the State to start doing the same.  In a time where we have a huge budget deficit and a sluggish economy, we need to find ways to make every dollar stretch.”

HR 1057 would create a six person commission made up of three Republicans and three Democrats to review the audit and oversee the effort.  If the Auditor General or commission were to find any incident of suspected corruption, they are required to file a complaint with the Executive Inspector General.

“The Blagojevich and Quinn administrations have gone a long way to ruin public trust in government,” said Sullivan.  “We need to show the taxpayers that we are doing everything we can to correct any unethical practices and to make our state run more efficiently.  This audit is a step in the right direction to restoring people’s trust in government.”

“Governor Quinn had a real opportunity to lead today,” said Sullivan.  “Instead, he used the pulpit of Governor to call for a tax increase.  The plan presented today was short reforms and short on new ideas to create new jobs in Illinois.”

Even with proposed cuts towards education and Medicaid, Quinn’s budget calls for an increase in spending of $2.97 billion.  This is due to Illinois having to pay back many of its unpaid bills, mostly to state pensions.  The FY11 budget totals $32.117 billion in total spending while total revenues are estimated at $27.444 billion.  This leaves the state with a $4.7 billion budget deficit which will be filled through borrowing, mostly from the state pension fund.

“He is again using threats, this time against our schools to build his case for a tax increase,” said Sullivan.  “We shouldn’t even think about raising taxes in this state until Democrats finally embrace real reform and reign in spending.  Eight years of government mismanagement is enough.”

Representative Sullivan reiterated that his number one priority is unemployment and job creation.  According to Sullivan, Illinois can not get back on the right fiscal track until the state tackles its double-digit unemployment.

“Employers in Illinois are over-regulated, over-taxed and over-litigated which is why we are ranked 47th in the nation in job creation,” said Sullivan.  “While there have been numerous job creation proposals, I heard nothing in his plan today to reform and improve our business climate.  Democrats in this state are still refusing to recognize that unless we put Illinoisans back to work, tax revenues will continue to fall.”

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a 501c3 non-profit organization which has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.  The charity takes all donated cell phones, sends them to ReCellular who then pays Cell Phones for Soldiers an hour of talk time for each donated phone.

“Most people have an old, unused cell phone in their kitchen drawers at home,” said Sullivan.  “By donating their unwanted cell phones, people can have an incredible impact on a soldier’s life overseas.  Just one cell phone can turn into an hours worth of quality time with a soldier’s friends or family.”

People who wish to donate a cell phone can drop one off at Representative Sullivan’s district office located at 700 North Lake Street, Suite 101 in Mundelein.  If there are any questions, feel free to call Representative Sullivan’s Office at (847) 566-5115 and ask for Jean Smuda or email Representative Sullivan at ILhouse51@sbcglobal.net.

State Representative Ed Sullivan (R – Mundelein) is disappointed with the court’s ruling.

“Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is completely ridiculous,” said Sullivan.  “The people of Illinois overwhelming supported this law and it was working well to improve access to quality health care.  The court should not be legislating from the bench.”

In 2005, Illinois passed Senate Bill 475 which created successful medical malpractice and tort reform.  Prior to the passage of the bill, Illinois was losing doctors and insurance companies to neighboring states.  After passage, the number of medical malpractice lawsuits dropped 25 percent, and the number of insurance companies offering coverage increased from 6 to 12 with an average reduction of 30 percent in premiums.

“Health care is on everybody’s mind these days,” said Sullivan.  “Throwing out med mal reform is going to raise health care costs and reduce access to health care.  Today’s decision turns back the clock on all the progress that has been made.”

The Illinois General Assembly capped non-economic damage awards at $500,000 for doctors and $1 million for hospitals.  Under the reform law, patients injured through medical negligence continued to receive full, unlimited compensation for economic damages such as lost wages, medical expenses and future earning potential.

“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.