Happy Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am full of gratitude and eager to share my thanks with all of you. It is an honor to serve you as your Senator, and I am deeply thankful for that.
Thanksgiving is a chance for us to come together, appreciate each other, and savor the good things in life that often go unnoticed.
During the holiday hustle, I hope that this Thanksgiving becomes a source of joy, reflection, and unity for you and your loved ones. May you find reasons to feel gratitude during this season of thanks and throughout the year.
Once again, I am profoundly thankful to have the opportunity to represent you in Springfield, addressing the issues that matter most to our community and state.
I wish you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving brimming with happiness, reflection, and a bounty of reasons to be grateful.
Sincerely,
Terri Bryant
State Senator, 58th District
New report shows record investigations into state agencies
A historically high number of complaints were reported in the annual Executive Inspector General’s report for Fiscal Year 2023. The 66-page report, found here, reveals that 3,078 complaints were filed and 450 investigations were opened based on the information received by the OEIG.
The Office of the Executive Inspector General oversees public agencies and officials holding jurisdiction over state agencies such as the state’s department of corrections, transportation, and human services. It also oversees nearly 300 state boards and commissions along with nine public universities.
Of the 3,078 complaints filed, 450 investigations were opened during FY 23, with the OEIG issuing 147 founded reports of wrongdoing. Troublesome reports ranged from fraudulent conduct, unprofessional conduct and failing to act with integrity, mismanagement, improper reporting, hiring-related improprieties, misuse of state time and resources, and conflicts of interest and distributing confidential information.
Some of the specific reports of wrongdoing include: a human services caseworker who used a link card of an incarcerated individual for 13 months, sexual misconduct within the department of corrections, falsification of education on employment application, improper hiring of family members, and conducting political activities while on state time.
State Senator Terri Bryant says this scathing report is another example of the ongoing issues within the Pritzker Administration. She noted that this report followed several scathing audits of agencies under the governor’s control, including an Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) audit detailing over $5 billion in improper payments made during the pandemic, along with continued issues with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and recent news reports of major personnel issues at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).
Legislation restoring some local control over green energy projects passes during veto session
Lawmakers were recently stripped away in a controversial law backed by the Governor that took control of wind and solar farms from local governments.
Senate Bill 1699, supported by the members of the Senate Republican Caucus, would protect farmers and landowners by requiring wind and solar developers to plan for and repair or pay for agricultural crop losses, damage to subsurface drainage systems, as well as requiring them to repair or pay for the restoration of surface drainage caused by construction and deconstruction of wind and solar facilities.
The legislation, which passed unanimously in both chambers, will also require a study on the potential impact of proposals on the stability and reliability of the state’s electrical grid. The legislation also makes a technical change allowing the Adjustable Block Program to include at least 15% renewable generation on public school land rather than just public schools, which could help schools that want to invest in solar or wind projects to save money on utilities.
Senator Bryant says this bill was desperately needed to undo some of the damage that has been done as a result of the Governor’s green energy push. She says this legislation is a positive step in the right direction, but that she continues to advocate for restoring local control over wind and solar projects.
Submissions needed for Illinois Veterans History Project
The Illinois Veterans History Project, developed as part of an effort by the Library of Congress and the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, needs your help to ensure our veterans are not forgotten.
The project is a statewide initiative which seeks to collect, preserve and make accessible first-hand recollections of veterans who served in the five military branches.
Illinois military veterans and their families are being asked to submit their stories, photos, and mementos to be put on display at www.idaillinois.org.
Submissions can be searched by name, war, and hometown of the veterans who submitted materials. So far the collection contains more than 6,700 records.
To submit an entry, visit www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject and complete an Illinois Patriot Information Form to the Illinois State Library. Completed forms can be submitted electronically to ilvhp@ilsos.gov or by mail to the Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701−1796.
Senator Bryant also wants to remind people that the Senate Republican Caucus’ Veterans Memorial Wall is still on display in the State Capitol in Springfield through November 27th.