Sen. Bryant renews calls to empower Illinois voters
In the wake of yet another company facing federal charges after admitting it illegally attempted to influence former House Speaker Michael Madigan, State Senator Terri Bryant is renewing calls to implement the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus’ Voter Empowerment Project.
The Voter Empowerment Project is a series of constitutional amendments that would allow Illinois residents to hold corrupt politicians accountable and take back control from the current pay-to-play environment that has plagued the state for far too long.
The package of legislation contains four state constitutional amendments tailored to increase the voice of voters, including allowing them to repeal laws and recall elected officials.
In addition to the Voter Empowerment Project, Senator Bryant also believes that the Illinois Senate should adopt Senate Resolution 759, which would change Senate Rules that currently consolidate power over the legislative process to a few individuals. The changes to the Senate Rules would include:
- requiring all bills to be assigned to a committee,
- setting firm guidelines for the assignment of bills,
- making it easier to discharge bills from a committee,
- establishing a mechanism to force a committee hearing,
- allowing members to file a minority report on any bill the member voted against during a committee hearing,
- creating a mechanism to establish an investigative committee independent of Senate leadership,
- requiring longer posting notices for bill amendments to allow the public adequate time to review the changes, and
- requiring a daily final action calendar to allow the public to anticipate what will be heard daily.
Senator Bryant feels that the passage of the Voter Empowerment Project and Senate Resolution 759 are critical to undo years of public corruption created by elected officials who conduct business solely for their personal benefit and ignore the will of the Illinoisans they are supposed to represent.
New Inflation report shows 40-year high core price increase
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for September, the overall index rose 8.2 percent over the past year. This CPI price increase was mostly driven by the cost of food, shelter, and medical care.
Additionally, the report revealed that the core price index, which includes all items except food and energy, rose by 6.6 percent, marking the highest yearly increase in the past 40 years.
Meanwhile, energy prices have soared 19.8 percent over the previous 12 months, which doesn’t include the recent jump in gas prices, and the food-at-home index rose a staggering 13 percent over the past year. These high prices are putting considerable strain on American consumers with one survey finding that nearly six in 10 Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.
Given the new inflationary report and the latest rebound in high gas prices, State Senator Terri Bryant is once again calling for the General Assembly to pass legislation that provides real and long-term relief for financially strained Illinoisans by capping the state’s sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon and permanently eliminating the state’s sales tax on groceries and medicine.
Senate Republicans to showcase veterans at Illinois Capitol
For the past several years, Illinois Senate Republicans have been hosting an annual Veterans Day display to pay tribute to our state and nation’s veterans. This year’s “Honoring All Who Served” Veterans Day Display will be available for visitors to view from November 10 through November 28 in the State Capitol Rotunda.
To showcase the legacy of our nation’s brave men and women, Senator Bryant is encouraging residents throughout the state to submit a photograph and written story of any veteran, so it can be displayed.
Families who would like to participate in this year’s display should submit a photo and written story (max: 250 words) with the following information: name, military branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy) and conflict served (Afghanistan, Iraq, September 11, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, Peacetime, other). Military photos are preferred but not necessary.
If possible, please email submissions to veteransday@sgop.ilga.gov by November 10, 2022. Submissions will be accepted through November 28, and the display will be updated daily to include new entries. Submissions can also be mailed to Veterans Day Wall, 108 Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706. For questions, please call (217) 782-0956.
Student Loan Forgiveness Application Opens Despite Court-Ordered Block on Program
On October 17, the application process for the federal student debt cancellation program officially opened, but due to a federal court order, debt discharges are temporarily blocked while the lawsuits against the program go through the legal process.
However, the online application is still open, and submissions are being reviewed. People who choose to submit their application now will not have to reapply if the court order blocking the processing debt discharges is removed.
The application takes about five minutes to complete with the necessary information. To apply, people who believe they qualify should go to studentaid.gov and click “Start Application.” Next, they should enter the required information into the webform, which includes name, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth and email address.
Then it will ask you to review the eligibility rules and confirm that you qualify by clicking a confirmation box. After that, just click submit.
Then it will ask you to review the eligibility rules and confirm that you qualify by clicking a confirmation box. After that, just click submit.
Franklin County hosts EDGE Program meeting
Last week, Kristy Stephenson from my office had the opportunity to attend the Franklin County EDGE Program meeting at the Seasoning Bistro in Benton.
The EDGE Program is an entrepreneurial development growth and educational program that invests in high school juniors and seniors from schools throughout Franklin County. The program helps the students start and develop their own business while receiving a college credit.
At the meeting, students were allowed to provide an introduction and update on their business models and development.
