Illinois' first concealed carry gun licenses — about 5,000 of them — are being printed and mailed today, Illinois State Police officials said in a morning press conference.

Officials said they have received more than 50,000 applications. Those being mailed today were early approvals, mostly for those who submitted fingerprints along with their application.

So far, 300 applications have been denied. Another 800 were opposed by law enforcement officials and are still under review. Dahleen Glanton has the rest of the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Scathing Audit Exposes “Pervasive Deficiencies” in Chicago Violence Prevention Program House, Senate GOP urging NRI investigation; freezing of expenditures. 

Illinois House and Senate Republicans are urging the Illinois Auditor General to refer findings from the Feb. 2014 audit of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority's Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI) to the Executive Inspector General (EIG) for further review and potentially the U.S. Attorney for further investigation of potential criminal activity. 

The lawmakers further called for freezing of any unexpended dollars – which could be as much as $31 million.

“Every component of this audit is barraged with questions of ethical integrity,” said State Rep. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie). “From the very beginning, many of us had grave reservations about the formation and implementation of this program. This audit supports these concerns. This is nothing more than Governor Quinn using taxpayer dollars to fund precinct walkers in Chicago.”

Sen. Barickman (R-Bloomington), Co-Chair of the Legislative Audit Commission, called the program “nothing more than a political slush fund for Governor Quinn.”

Sen. Murphy (R-Palatine) said, “There was no documentation, no monitoring, no attempt to recover funds. We need to get this information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and freeze the spending. It’s a shameful waste of taxpayers’ dollars to bail out a failed politician.”

“When critical care services remain on the chopping block and transportation funding for rural schools have been cut, the Governor was able to increase limited state resources for the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative from $20 million to $50 million in less than two months,” said State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon).

The Auditor General stated the $54.55 million NRI program was “hastily implemented” with “pervasive deficiencies in Illinois Violence Prevention Authority's (IVPA) planning, implementation, and management.”

For more on this story, please click here. A report on the results of a four-month CNN investigation into the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative is available here.

Rep. Demmer wearing a borrowed Google Glass

State Rep. Tom Demmer spent the day sporting Google's latest gadget, Google Glass. He believes legislators need to embrace new ways of engaging constituents and building their interest in government. "It's important we don't dismiss new technology out of hand, we have to reach and relate to our constituents in relevant and interesting ways," explained Demmer. "15 years ago some people couldn't understand why you would need email on your phone, now we can't live without it. More important, constituents expect it."

Here are a few Google Glass photos from Rep. Demmer highlighting his day in Springfield:

7:15 AM - Meetings and Committee

Rep. Demmer began his day at 7:15 this morning, first checking in with his Springfield office before heading to his first meeting of the day with colleagues to go over issues that will be heard in an 8 AM committee.  

11:00 AM - On the House Floor for Sesssion

With the state’s temporary income tax hike on individuals and employers scheduled to roll back at the end of the year being countered by efforts among legislative Democrats to make the higher rates permanent or institute a Graduated Tax system to drive rates even higher, State Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) is pressing for answers on the constitutionality of a proposed band-aid that would buy time for Democrats to raise taxes.

The issue is simple: The Illinois Constitution requires the Governor to submit an annual budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Illinois law has defined a fiscal year as a twelve month period.  Common sense follows that any budget approved by the General Assembly encompassing only a partial year would be unconstitutional. Yet the Governor and Democrat legislative leaders have not ruled out the possibility they may approve a partial-year budget this spring, then return to Springfield after the November election to either make the higher rates permanent or push them even higher. Read more.

Rep. David Reis responds to Auditor General's Finding

Here is the synopsis of the Performance Audit of state funding of Neighborhood Recovery Initiative:

The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI) is a program designed to reduce risk factors associated with violence in 23 communities in Cook County. In August 2010, the Governor’s Office gave the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority (IVPA) the responsibility to develop a framework for the program as well as administer and oversee the program. In each of the 23 communities, IVPA contracted with a lead agency which was responsible for managing the NRI program in their community. The 23 lead agencies contracted with 99 coordinating partners and 120 providing partners (community partners) to provide NRI services.

Birds of a feather flock together, so the saying goes.

One of the problems that happens when dozens of birds flock together is that, oftentimes, they leave behind a big, stinky mess.

That goes for the geese and ducks that flock along the banks of the Fox River. And it goes for lame-duck legislators who flock together after even-year November elections.

Put 118 state representatives and 59 state senators in their respective chambers, with lame-duck members totally free of the worry of voter retribution, and they might just leave a big mess behind, too.

The most infamous lame-duck session of the Illinois Legislature in recent years happened in January 2011. That’s when outgoing lawmakers joined forces with the powers that be to enact a big income tax increase on individuals and businesses.  Here's the rest of the editorial in Northwest Herald. 

Read the original story here.

Budget
House Joint Committee hears from budget experts, Democrats move forward with FY15 revenues estimates.  The Joint Committee on Revenue and State Government held a hearing on Tuesday, February 18 to finalize comments from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR), on the approaching final tax revenue numbers for FY14, ending June 30, 2014, and the likely numbers for FY15.  CGFA continues to estimate that the State will take in approximately $34.4 billion in general funds revenues in FY15.

The Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force that was created last year by the Illinois General Assembly will be coming to Rockford to hear local testimony. The task force was created to address the growing problem of heroin use in high schools and communities throughout the State. State Representative John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) is one of fourteen members appointed to the task force last year.

“Heroin abuse in our communities and schools continues to grow at an alarming rate,” said Rep. Cabello. “We are facing an epidemic that needs a solution to help combat the problem. This task force will use the testimony to construct a statewide report in hopes of creating a roadmap to curving abuse in our schools in communities.” Read more.

When: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Where: Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114
Location: Woodward Technology Center Room 119, Parking Lot 2
Time: 11:00AM – 2:00PM

Join the discussion.

Thawing Snow Could Lead to Flooding and Dangerous Driving Conditions in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is advising motorists to travel with extreme caution as rain and thawing snow could lead to standing water on low-lying roads. The expected combination of a quick warming, rain, current river levels, ground frost depth, and then a temperature drop late in the week are creating the potential for flooding around the state.

IDOT is monitoring the conditions to ensure safety across Illinois. Crews are working to clear storm drains and will respond to problem areas as necessary.

The inaugural meeting of the Hepatitis C Task Force was held earlier this month.  The agenda was to name a chair of the task force, set a schedule, and develop goals.  By unanimous consent the group nominated State Representative Michael McAuliffe as the task force chairman.

“I am honored that my colleagues have chosen me to chair the task force and help us realize our goals,” said Representative McAuliffe.  “We need to raise awareness and remove the stigma about Hepatitis C and I am committed to working with the task force and my colleagues in the General Assembly to ensure that policy decisions are made.”

Hepatitis C is a growing problem in Illinois and the United States primarily with the baby boomers’ generation.  In fact, new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control recommend that all baby boomers be tested.  Hepatitis C is often called “The Silent Epidemic”, with Illinois having 128,509 cases of Hepatitis C in 2006, according to the Hepatitis C Index. Read more here.

Graduated Income Tax  
House GOP: Graduated Tax Threat to Illinois Jobs, Families.  On Monday, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and members of the Illinois House Republican caucus announced their unanimous opposition to the graduated income tax proposal introduced by legislative Democrats. The plan, currently filed as HJRCA 33, would replace the state’s current flat tax with a graduated income tax system, with rates to be determined by the General Assembly.

“There is a movement in Springfield by the majority party to move Illinois from a flat income tax to a graduated tax,” said Durkin. “The same party responsible for years of overspending, over taxing and a mountain of debt wants to move to a graduated tax for one reason and one reason only – to raise taxes and spend more money.”

A group of House Republican Lawmakers are taking action to fight Illinois’ growing heroin epidemic. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin  State Representatives Dennis Reboletti , Patti Bellock , John Cabello , and Sandy Pihos  were joined by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Judicial and Public Safety Committee Chairman Grant Eckhoff on Thursday to announce a comprehensive package of legislation designed to address heroin abuse and related crimes.

“Heroin has claimed too many lives – leaving behind families devastated by their loss. It’s our hope that the package of bills introduced here today will prevent the loss of life and protect other families from having to experience such pain in the future. I would like to applaud the efforts of State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, the DuPage Heroin Coalition; DuPage County Judical and Public Safety Chairman Grant Eckhoff ; Reps. Sandy Pihos, Patti Bellock and John Cabello for their work in developing and supporting these bills,” said Durkin (R-Western Springs). Read the rest of the story.

Other links:
Heroin DuPage
Be a Hero-In-DuPage Facebook Site
Be a Hero-In-DuPage Twitter Site @HeroInDuPage

House Republican lawmakers stand opposed to graduated tax proposal.

From several locations around the state, Leader Jim Durkin along with all 47 House Republican lawmakers announced their unanimous opposition to the graduated income tax proposal introduced by Democrat legislators. The plan, currently filed as HJRCA 33, would replace the state’s current flat tax with a graduated income tax system, with rates to be determined by the General Assembly.

House Republicans are encouraging Illinoisans to sign the petition urging lawmakers to oppose the graduated tax plan.

Read more by our members.

On Monday, new Metra CEO Donald Orseno will join state Rep. Ron Sandack and state Rep. Darlene Senger  for a public hearing to discuss procedures for notifying customers of service delays and cancellations at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville.

Concerned about Metra's performance on frigid days this winter as well as other issues plaguing the agency, suburban lawmakers say they want to see changes at the country's second largest commuter rail system.

"We want to make sure that the trains run on time and people aren't put out on cold platforms in subzero temperatures," said state Rep. David Harris, an Arlington Heights Republican.

Metra riders endured a tough January with multiple delays and cancellations, particularly during the so-called polar vortex. Marty Hobe has the story in the Daily Herald.

General Assembly
House GOP seeks end to lame duck sessions.  House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and members of the House Republican caucus unveiled legislation Tuesday asking voters to put an end to lame duck sessions of the Illinois General Assembly by moving up the date of inauguration. The proposal also requires the outgoing General Assembly to conclude their work by Election Day.

“You never know what shenanigans are going to be played in a lame duck session.  In 2011 under the veil of night, Democrats in the lame duck legislature voted to impose the largest income tax increase on families and employers in the history of our state.  Outgoing lawmakers, who are no longer accountable to the voters, should not be approving such controversial legislation,” said Durkin.

House Republicans introduced legislation to eliminate
 lame duck sessions

The 11 months to come should be prime incubating time for a wheeling, dealing, no-holds-barred lame duck legislative session in January 2015.

Consider this: Next January, Illinois will have either a new governor intent on letting income taxes drop as scheduled (and a Democratic legislature intent on not losing the $4 billion a year that will mean) or a re-elected Gov. Pat Quinn, who will almost certainly want to extend the temporary tax increase he shepherded through the 2013 lame duck session.

Those who want to keep the temporary higher rates will be eager to make deals in exchange for votes from House and Senate lame ducks who, having nothing to fear from voters anymore, will find it easier to vote for what will be portrayed as a tax increase. In this situation, “make deals” easily can mean “offer employment to.”  Matt Dietrich has the rest of the story at Reboot Illinois.

Reps Anthony, Kay, Morrison & Reis 

In a presentation to Republican lawmakers, Travis H. Brown, author of How Money Walks shared his findings on the effects of population migration on the fiscal health of states.

Representatives David Reis, David Leitch and Renee Kosel hosted the presentation.

Data maps showed gains and losses of population and adjusted gross income (AGI) at several levels of government. Key findings for Illinois:

• Between 1992 and 2010, Illinois lost $29.27 billion in net AGI
• Between 1985 and 2010, 536, 963 people moved out of Illinois
• Florida gained $6.77 billion of Illinois' lost AGI

According to Rep. Tom Morrison, "Behavior does change when you change tax rates...we need people to migrate to Illinois to have a thriving economy."

Mr. Brown suggested Illinois take a look at its taxing policies and consider that states like Florida and Texas with 0 income tax are gaining AGI while at the same time Illinois is losing income.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and members of the House Republican caucus today unveiled legislation asking voters to put an end to lame duck sessions of the Illinois General Assembly by moving up the date of inauguration. The proposal also requires the outgoing General Assembly to conclude their work by Election Day.

“You never know what shenanigans are going to be played in a lame duck session.  In 2011 under the veil of night, Democrats in the lame duck legislature voted to impose the largest income tax increase on families and employers in the history of our state.  Outgoing lawmakers, who are no longer accountable to the voters, should not be approving such controversial legislation,” said Durkin.

Rep. Bill Mitchell - Focused on Jobs for Illinoisans 

After Governor Quinn’s State of the State Address last week, it was revealed that Illinois has 110,000 fewer jobs than when Pat Quinn became governor. The labor force has contracted and the state’s unemployment rate is nearly two points higher than the national average. Illinois is ranked dead last among all states in projected job growth for 2014.

A recent report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors ranked Decatur, Illinois as the nation’s second-fastest shrinking economy. The Decatur area’s gross metro product (GMP) fell by nearly 5% in 2013 and employment dropped by 4.2%, the worst in the nation.

State Representative Bill Mitchell  (R-Forsyth) says that this ranking shows that Decatur’s manufacturing downturn is a crisis that must be addressed at the state and local level. Read more here.

The Herald-Review Editorial: Decatur should focus on the future