13 May 2016

Smiddy Backs Resolution Urging Awareness and Testing for Ovarian Cancer

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing his push to ensure women have the support they need to stay healthy, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is supporting legislation to recognize the week of September 11-17 as Ovarian Cyst Awareness Week.

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11 May 2016

Smiddy Resolution Creating Healthcare Task Force Clears House, Awaits Action in Senate

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing his effort to help residents across Illinois gain access to quality healthcare, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, passed legislation out of the Illinois House yesterday creating a task force designed to addr...

05 May 2016

Smiddy and Hoffman Call for Increased Dollars for Elementary and High Schools

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing their push for greater investment in education across Illinois, state Reps. Mike Smiddy of Hillsdale and Jay Hoffman of Swansea joined school superintendents to call on the governor and the Legislature to incre...

04 May 2016

Smiddy and Hoffman to Call for Education Funding Increase for Elementary and High Schools

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Reps. Mike Smiddy and Jay Hoffman will join school superintendents at a Wednesday press conference to discuss the importance of state leaders coming together to increase funding for elementary schools and high school...

03 May 2016

Smiddy Leads Efforts to Protect Military Service Members From Chemical Exposure

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to protect members of the Illinois National Guard from chemical hazards they may be exposed to during deployment, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is leading efforts to require health tests in legislation ...

27 Apr 2016

Smiddy to Call for Additional Higher Education Funding at WIUQC Press Conference

By Paul Ferraro

PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, will hold a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the measure that was passed last week in the Illinois House to provide community colleges and several universities with emergency fundi...

25 Apr 2016

Smiddy Backs Constitutional Amendment to Give New Funding to Local Schools

By Paul Ferraro

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted to provide new funding to local schools by requiring the extremely wealthy to pay their fair share this week.

“Education is crucial to helping young people prepare to co...

03 Apr 2015

Smiddy Reminds Sportsmen to Renew Licenses

By Paul Ferraro
HILLSDALE, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is urging all sportsmen who may have forgotten to purchase new hunting and fishing licenses before they expired yesterday, March 31, to quickly renew their right to hunt and fish in Illinois.
"Hunting and fishing are great traditions in our community, and I want sportsmen to lawfully continue this legacy by renewing their licenses and enjoying the outdoors responsibly," Smiddy said. "Thousands of Illinois residents access Illinois' beautiful outdoor resources every year, and it's important all of us renew our licenses to continue this great tradition."
All hunters and fishermen above the age of 16 in Illinois are required to purchase a hunting, fishing or sportsmen's license, which includes both licenses in one. Each year-long license expires annually on March 31.  Unlawful hunting or fishing can result in a $120 fine. Illinois hunting and fishing licenses are available at many convenience and retail establishment and are also sold online by visiting the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) online purchasing system at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/default.aspx. Applicants should have their IDNR Customer Number, Diver's License Number, State ID Number, or their Social Security Number when applying.
"I urge all sportsmen to avoid the fees and legal trouble that accompanies irresponsibly fishing or hunting without a current license, and I urge everyone with interest in the outdoors to take a few moments to update their licenses and enjoy the wonderful outdoor recreation Illinois has to offer."
All year-long licenses are valid until March 31, 2016. Any sportsmen without access to internet who wish to purchase their licenses online are invited to stop by Smiddy's constituent service office located at 201 N. Main St., Unit 2, Port Bryon, IL 61275 to use the internet and receive assistance from Smiddy's full-time staff.
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01 Apr 2015

Smiddy Advances Bill to Limit State Vehicles to North American Made

By Paul Ferraro
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To limit state dollars going overseas, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, advanced a bill out of committee requiring all new state vehicles be assembled in North America on March 25.
"Illinois should lead by example to keep jobs from being shipped abroad and purchase only those vehicles assembled by North American workers," Smiddy said. "This legislation will encourage the momentum of the automotive industry in North America and put more of the highly-skilled automotive workers on the job right here at home."
House Bill 3438 requires every vehicle the state buys or leases to be assembled in North America. The Smiddy legislation would not require discontinued use of any vehicles currently in the state's fleet. Instead, all future vehicles the state buys or leases must be assembled in North America under the bill. Smiddy has worked with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) to develop this legislation. Smiddy passed a similar measure last session in the House which was never voted upon in the Senate.
"Every day, corporations make decisions about where to send their dollars, and the state needs to be just as vigilant with its investments to ensure our tax dollars do not largely support jobs overseas," Smiddy said. "I'll continue to work with businesses and labor groups alike to find ways to keep good, well-paying jobs from moving abroad."
House Bill 3438 passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee and now awaits consideration by the full House.
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01 Apr 2015

Smiddy Opens Office for Benefit Access Program Application Assistance

By Paul Ferraro
HILLSDALE, Ill. - To help senior citizens have easier access to state programs and services, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is inviting seniors to use his office and staff as a resource to apply for the Illinois Department of Aging Benefit Access Program.
"Seniors in our community that are eligible for state benefits may lack the resources or technical skills to fill out the online application," Smiddy said. "I invite seniors in the community to utilize my office as a resource to complete the application for this helpful program."
The Illinois Department on Aging sponsors the Benefit Access Programs for seniors and disabled persons. The program offers accepted applicants free rides on public transportation and discounts on license plates with the Illinois Secretary of State. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be 65 years or older or be sixteen years or older and disabled, below the low income requirements and living in Illinois. Applicants should bring their Social Security number when applying for the program. Residents can call Smiddy's office and make an appointment on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located at 201 N. Main St. Unit 2 in Port Byron.
"The Benefit Access Program offers seniors and disabled persons an opportunity to offset income limitations to their mobility," said Smiddy. "I believe their ability to access this program should not be limited by their access or skills with technology."
Eligibility for the program is good for two years under the program. For questions or to schedule an appointment, please call Smiddy's full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098.

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