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.

Legislative action at the Capitol during the week centered on gun safety reforms, in the wake of the February 13 shooting death of Chicago Police Department Commander Paul Bauer and the deadly school shooting February 14 in Parkland, Florida.

Senator Jim Oberweis is questioning “special-interest” legislation that would protect suppliers of durable medical equipment from price competition, and require the state to pay higher prices than a competitor might offer.

The Senate spent much of the week in the Capitol working on bills in committees, but did pass bills to protect vulnerable veterans, to put EpiPens in the hands of law enforcement, and to help victims of domestic violence.

Governor Bruce Rauner presented a Fiscal Year 2019 budget plan to lawmakers during the week that is balanced and includes several cost-saving reforms.

Governor Bruce Rauner is asking lawmakers to reject the tax-and-spend fiscal policies of past years and pass a budget that balances spending and revenue, according to Senator Jim Oberweis.

Lawmakers returning to Springfield for the second week of legislative session heard testimony in the Veterans Affairs Committee about Legionella outbreaks at the Quincy Veterans’ Home and began advancing legislation through Senate Committees.

Senator Jim Oberweis welcomes Jong-Kook Lee, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, to the Senate February 6.

Governor Bruce Rauner delivered his fourth State of the State Address January 31, highlighting several accomplishments over the past few years and laying out a roadmap of what he’d like to see Illinois achieve in 2018.

Senator Jim Oberweis has introduced ethics legislation that would make it illegal for elected representatives or senators to be involved with litigating property tax appeals.

Lawmakers must come together for the good of Illinois, restoring fiscal responsibility and approving fundamental changes in the way state government works, according to Senator Jim Oberweis.

Lawmakers are preparing to return to the Capitol next week for the beginning of the 2018 legislative session, which includes the annual State of the State address January 31.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) informed Senate Republicans during the week that implementation of the new funding law will occur; and a new measure would bring high-speed Internet access to rural school districts.

A joint Senate and House of Representatives hearing to learn more about the incidence of Legionnaires’ disease at the Quincy Veterans’ Home was held during the week in Chicago.

Illinois residents can expect to see improved safety measures for children and Internet users in 2018 with new laws that help protect children in the foster care system, at day care and at school; as well as shield children and adults online.

As the holiday season winds down, Illinois residents aren’t the only ones shifting back to a budget-conscious mindset.

As Illinois residents get ready to ring in a new year, they can also expect to see more than 200 new laws going into effect on January 1.

Illinois citizens will begin 2018 with more than 200 new laws taking effect.