January E-Newsletter

Two of those new initiatives to become law include:

• Senate Bill 31 (P.A. 95-0250): Expands the time in which a person will be able to apply for compensation by allowing crime victims to file a claim within one year after the criminal indictment of a person for a crime upon which the claim is based. Currently a person is entitled to compensation if within 2 years of the occurrence of the crime, (s)he filed an application with the Court of Claims.
• Senate Bill 56 (P.A. 95-0407): Requires a driver of an accident vehicle to make every effort to move the vehicle from obstructing traffic. If the vehicle cannot be moved, the bill gives law enforcement, highway, or other responder officials the right to move the vehicle without liability.

     These bills are in addition to several other initiatives that have already been enacted earlier this legislative year including a law allowing West Chicago to extend the life of its TIF district, a law to ban adult entertainment businesses from operating within one mile of a school, park, or church in DuPage or suburban Cook counties, and a law to exclude West Chicago residents from being taxed for county water services.

Back to Work in the New Year

Legislators in the House had expected to return to Springfield in mid-December to debate ongoing issues such as gambling and mass transit, however, Speaker Michael Madigan canceled the proposed session dates. In his letter Madigan said the "legislative process will be better served by holding session on these topics at a later date."

     With time running out for mass transit officials who will begin enacting doomsday scenarios, legislators will most likely return to Springfield just after the New Year to continue working out a solution that will benefit all residents in Illinois.

     Please stay tuned on this and other important matters as we also prepare for the start of the new legislative session in January.

New Year Opportunities to Get Involved

     The newly formed Women's Advisory Committee for the 55th District has now met twice this past year and we're hoping to increase our enrollment with interested women who might have new ideas for legislation.

     November's meeting brought forth several topics which included:

• Noting budget shortfalls at the County level and how that will affect taxpayers.
• Identifying the lack of convenient public transportation and how state officials can improve access and provide additional options for residents.
• Improving education in schools while dealing with volatile issues such as teen pregnancy and the growing number of children with developmental disabilities.
• Addressing illegal immigration issues that put a strain on local and statewide services.

     The discussions we have on these and many other topics will help me draft legislation for the upcoming legislative session. At this time, if you have any ideas or thoughts for new legislation, I request that you send it to my attention by emailing staterepramey55@aol.com. Please include your contact information, your idea for new legislation and why it is needed in Illinois.

     The Women's Advisory Committee will meet again in either February or March of 2008. I encourage you to contact me if you are interested in participating.

Special Thanks to Those Who Gave

     I would like to thank all of you who participated in my annual coat drive to benefit needy families in the 55th district. Throughout the month of December we collected quite a few that were "gently worn" and donated to our drop-off locations throughout the district.

     By donating a coat, someone else can now benefit from your generosity and stay warm this holiday season.

     Please continue to give me your feedback on these issues or any others by e-mailing (staterepramey55@aol.com) or by calling my district office (630) 876-0703. You can also find more information about legislative issues or get added to the Email E-newsletter list by visiting www.randyramey.org.

Warmest regards,