Senate lawmakers joined their House counterparts in Chicago during the week for an emotional hearing in response to a recent media investigation revealing systemic sexual abuse and assaults have taken place within the Chicago Public School system over the last decade.

Those state employees who are expected to receive back pay under the Fiscal Year 2019 Illinois budget can expect payments in coming months once their employers submit necessary paperwork.

As the spring legislative session wrapped up last week, lawmakers left Springfield having passed more than 600 bills and a balanced budget.

After months of bipartisan negotiations, the Senate and House came together to overwhelmingly approve a balanced budget that cuts spending and does not require a tax increase to implement. The budget now moves to the Governor for consideration.

Senator Jim Oberweis says after months of negotiations, the Senate voted May 30 to pass a balanced budget that does not require a tax increase to implement.

As the Senate’s scheduled May 31 adjournment approaches, negotiations continue between the four legislative leaders and the Governor to negotiate a balanced, responsible budget compromise.

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) said he is disappointed that he did not have an opportunity to warn his fellow lawmakers against a tax-cut bill they overwhelmingly approved May 24, despite warnings by the Internal Revenue Service.

With less than two weeks left before the scheduled adjournment of the spring legislative session, Senate Republicans continue to work to pass a balanced budget, without another tax increase, by May 31.

In the midst of a national conversation about the role mental health plays in public safety, Illinois has received federal approval to launch a $2 billion Better Care Illinois Behavioral Health Initiative to deliver better outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Senator Jim Oberweis talks with students from Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville about their “A Robotic Journey” project at TECH 2018, a demonstration of school technology May 10 in the State Capitol.

While I'm in Springfield for Legislative Session, I still want to hear from my constituents in the 25th District. I'll be hosting a Teleforum TONIGHT from 6:50 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.

This week in the Illinois Capitol, a Task Force recommended building a new facility to house veterans, Senate Republicans pushed a bill to prohibit pay increases for lawmakers, and the Senate passed legislation that lets motorists register their vehicles for more than a one-year period.

Senator Jim Oberweis is cosponsoring legislation that prohibits pay raise proposals and per diem/mileage reimbursement hikes for legislators and other elected officials.

As state lawmakers continue budget discussions in the Capitol, Senate Republicans are calling for Democrats to work with them on developing a revenue estimate for the upcoming fiscal year and pass legislation putting a cap on state spending.

Senate Republicans joined together in support of a resolution to oppose a graduated tax system that has been proposed by some candidates for statewide office. 

New legislation filed this week would allow residents in Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) counties to lower their property tax bills via referendum, an ability that is currently only given to residents in non-PTELL counties.  PTELL was designed as a system to set caps on how much property taxes can increase each year.

Disabled veterans who qualified for property tax relief through the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption would qualify for a pro-rated break if they move into their home after the first of the year. 

Illinois Senate Republicans returned to the Capitol April 10, continuing to focus on the need for the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget that doesn’t put any additional tax burden on Illinois residents.

Senate lawmakers return to Springfield April 10, and will continue their efforts to finalize a state budget and finish legislative business for the spring session by a scheduled adjournment date of May 31.

Lawmakers are due back in Springfield the week of April 9.

Senate Republicans remain adamant that Illinois’ future growth cannot be based on a tax-and-spend system, urging lawmakers to stop outspending revenue and doing more to undercut the crushing burdens placed on the backs of Illinois’ taxpayers and businesses.

As part of the response to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the Quincy-based Illinois Veterans’ Home, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner recently announced plans to explore building a new facility on the Quincy campus.  On March 15, the Administration announced it is seeking a Master Planner to research possible development of a new state-of-the-art facility for the Quincy Veterans’ Home residents. This project would incorporate the final recommendations issued by the Infrastructure Task Force, which is to present final suggestions to the General Assembly by May 31. 

A bipartisan Legislative Public Safety Group has been created from members of all four legislative caucuses to work with the Administration on furthering progress in a number of public safety areas.

The Senate passed gun-control legislation March 14 that does little to address the root causes of gun violence, but instead threatens Second Amendment rights guaranteed by the Constitution to lawful gun owners, according to Senator Jim Oberweis.

Several lawmakers met during the week for Senate committee and task force hearings on trending issues in state government, including the Legionella outbreaks, sexual harassment and firearms.