13 Aug 2015

Smiddy Invites Residents to District Office Open House During Tug Fest

By Paul Ferrero
HILLSDALE, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is opening his office in Port Byron to offer help with state programs and services as part of the city's annual Tug Fest.
"Tug Fest is a great thing for our community, and I want my office to be a part of that," Smiddy said. "Times are tough for a lot of people, and I invite residents to stop by while they're in Port Byron to see if I can help."
During Tug Fest, Smiddy will keep his office open late to help constituents navigate state programs. He'll be available on Friday, August 14, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. for everyone in the area as part of Port Byron's annual Tug Fest. The office is located at 201 N. Main St., Unit 2, in Port Byron.
"Many people don't know where to turn for help with state programs and services," Smiddy said. "I encourage anyone who has questions to take a break from Tug Fest and see what answers my office can help you find."
The open house is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
For questions, please contact Smiddy's full time constituent service office at 309-848-9098.
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31 Jul 2015

Smiddy Votes to Reject Pay Increase

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Continuing his view that pay for lawmakers should be frozen when so many families are hurting in Illinois, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted Tuesday to reject a pay increase for lawmakers for the second time this session.
"As Illinois remains without a budget this summer, I believe it would be inappropriate for lawmakers to receive increases in pay, which is why I voted twice this session to keep pay flat," Smiddy said. "I supported a spending plan that froze lawmaker's salaries during the spring, and when the governor vetoed that, I voted this week to again stop legislator's pay from increasing."
Smiddy voted in favor of House Bill 576, which blocks a cost of living increase for members of the General Assembly and state constitutional officers. Smiddy supported a spending plan that froze legislator's salaries in May. When the governor rejected that plan, Smiddy supported Tuesday's bill suspending the scheduled increase for lawmakers.
"While suspending COLAs for legislators will not solve all of Illinois' fiscal issues, I think it's important for lawmakers to take steps to be extra careful with state dollars," Smiddy said. "I'm committed to giving my constituents a voice in Springfield that reflects their priorities, and that includes eliminating special treatment for legislators."
House Bill 576 passed the house unanimously. Smiddy will donate any increases that are paid before this legislation is signed into law.  For questions about this issue or any state issue, please contact Smiddy's full time constituent service office at 309-848-9098.
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31 Jul 2015

Smiddy Votes to Support Epilepsy Program: Protecting Patient Care in Absence of State Budget

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State Representative Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted on Tuesday to provide critical state aid to children with epilepsy through a temporary budget to ensure there is no lapse in care for those relying on the state while the legislature continues to negotiate a full-year budget.
"The children that suffer from this disorder are some of our state's most vulnerable citizens, and they deserve access to the care they need," Smiddy said. "The funding in this bill could provide critical treatment to thousands of people with epilepsy from every part of Illinois."
Smiddy voted on Tuesday to include $166,000 of funding for the epilepsy program in a temporary funding bill. The program provides information and referrals, case management, advocacy, counseling, financial planning assistance and community education for families caring for persons with epilepsy. In the absence of a Fiscal Year 2016 budget, the temporary measure would allow patients continued access to care while negotiations continue. Epilepsy is a serious health concern and lapses in treatment can have lasting health consequences for patients.
"Epilepsy patients can't afford to wait for state leaders to agree on a budget for their care," Smiddy said.  "Patients with epilepsy that depend on the state for their treatment shouldn't be neglected due to political issues, and this measure will ensure they receive care until a budget solution is found."
The measure amended House Bill 4144 to include the funding. The bill currently awaits a vote before the House.
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27 Jul 2015

Smiddy Cautions Safety During Summer Heat; Urges Use of Cooling Centers for Those in Need

By Paul Ferrero
PORT BYRON, Ill. - As temperatures continue to climb through the month of July, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is urging residents to stay safe during the summer heat, and highlighting local resources to avoid health problems.

"Extreme temperatures can pose a serious threat for those without access to a cool place, and, unfortunately, heat-related illnesses claim the lives of people in Illinois every year," Smiddy said. "I urge everyone to know the signs of heat stroke, take a few moments to check on elderly or sick neighbors and get to a cool place before you're overheated and are feeling badly."

Symptoms of heat-related illness include headaches, skin that is hot to the touch, increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, seizures and irregular heartbeats. Smiddy urges residents to stay cool and avoid illness by increasing water intake, decrease strenuous, outdoor physical activity and remain in air-conditioning when possible.

Illinois maintains over 120 state facilities that can provide a cool, comfortable place for those in need to stay safe during extreme heat. The centers remain open during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays. For more information about cooling centers or to find a location near you, please call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at 800-843-6154 or visit www.illinois.gov/KeepCool.

Area Cooling Centers Include:

Rock Island County Department of Human Services (500 42nd St. Ste. 6, 2nd Floor, in Rock Island and 4711 44th St., Suite 3, in Rock Island)

Mt. Carroll Firehouse, (318 South Clay, in Mt. Carroll - Call 815-244-5313)

River Valley District Library, (214 S Main St., in Port Byron)

Whiteside County Department of Human Services (2605 Woodlawn Rd., in Sterling)

Henry County Department of Human Services (125 West South St., in Kewanee)

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17 Jul 2015

Smiddy Meets with Opportunity Council; Renews Calls to Resolve State Budget

By Paul Ferrero
PORT BYRON, Ill. - After a meeting with members of the Tri-County Opportunities Council, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is urging Governor Rauner to resume good-faith budget negotiations after 25 employees at the Council were laid off in the absence of a state budget.
"The Tri-County Opportunities Council helps countless families across the region navigate the confusing network of red tape that too often accompanies accessing critical services, and the value of these dedicated professionals to our community is immeasurable," Smiddy said. "I want everyone to recognize the value of the service these men and women provide, and work with me to craft a compassionate spending plan that ensures community action agencies like Tri-County can continue to serve the people of Illinois."
Smiddy learned of layoffs at the Tri-County Opportunities Council during a meeting with Terri Lawrence, who is the director of the organization. The Tri-County Opportunities Council serves the nine counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. Approximately 2,100 residents participate in the various programs the Council helps administrate, including Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Weatherization and Housing Programs, home cooling aid and Childcare Assistance. Each of these programs has seen dramatic decreases to the state funding it depends on and has been forced to eliminate services for residents and/or lay off workers.
"These programs represent relatively small items in the state budget, but have enormous impacts on thousands of families right here in our communities," said Terri Lawrence, director of the Tri-County Opportunities Council. "It's the people most in need that are suffering from an absence of a budget and without dependable state support; we simply will not be able to give residents the service they need. I want to thank Representative Smiddy for taking the time to investigate the impacts of this funding shortage, and I urge the Governor and the General Assembly to find a way to restore these programs that are so vital to our community."
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13 Jul 2015

Smiddy Votes to Pass Budget that Covers One Month of Essential Services

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted Thursday to support state workers and Illinois' most vulnerable residents by passing a one-month budget covering the costs of the state's most vital services.
"While the governor seems to see value in shutting down state government, I'm committed to ensuring that working families and our most in-need don't suffer," Smiddy said. "Thousands of Illinoisans depend on state programs and life-saving care, and this budget will allow our dedicated state workers to continue to provide those services while we work towards a full year's budget."
Senate Bill 2040 funds state employee salaries and essential state service for 30 days. Smiddy voted to provide support for vital items including policing, health care for veterans in state veterans' homes, healthcare and meals for elderly residents and care for developmentally disabled.
"I believe that the state workers who keep Illinois running deserve the compensation they were promised, and this budget will allow them to continue their important work and receive the wages they deserve," Smiddy said. "I am hopeful the governor will see the need to join me in standing for our police officers, home caretakers, medical staff and the thousands of Illinoisans that depend on them today."
For more information, please contact Smiddy's full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098.
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10 Jul 2015

Smiddy Visits with Skip-a-Long Students Following Press Conference

By Paul Ferrero

MOLINE, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, visited with children and care givers from the Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services Center on June 25 to highlight the implications of Governor Rauner's proposed budget cuts.

"These children and their families depend on the state for care and support, and many will lose access to the services they depend on if this governor gets his way," Smiddy said. "I want to thank the children and staff at Skip-a-Long for helping me highlight the human costs of irresponsible cuts and rule changes."

Skip-a-Long is a non-profit childcare center serving approximately 1,100 children. Smiddy was joined by approximately 60 community members, children and staff from Skip-a-Long and other organizations for the press event held on June 25 in opposition to Governor Rauner's proposal to slash human services funding statewide. The families receive support from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to offset the cost of childcare and allow parents to continue working while their children are cared for. 80 percent of the families using care with Skip-a-Long utilize the CCAP program. Eligibility rule changes imposed by the governor, which took effect on July 1, will greatly diminish the number of families eligible for the program. Skip-a-Long has already been forced to reject 12 families who applied for enrollment through CCAP, according to Marcy Mendenhall, President & CEO of Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services.

"I want to thank Representative Smiddy for taking time to visit with our kids and helping draw attention to the thousands of Illinois families that depend on the state for child care assistance," said Mendenhall. "I hope there is budget resolution as families and children will have devastating consequences,  and I urge Governor Rauner to work with legislators to craft the responsible and compassionate budget Illinois needs."
03 Jul 2015

Smiddy Supports Temporary Budget for Vital Services

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As families across the state face losing access to vital state services, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted Wednesday to pass a one month budget extension that would have ensured children and seniors continue to receive vital support in July.
"As the governor continues to push the state toward a shutdown by refusing to negotiate on the budget, it is the working and middle class families that depend on state services that will suffer," Smiddy said. "This proposal will allow the critical aid that the elderly, the sick and thousands of working families depend upon to continue while I continue to work to find a responsible budget."
Smiddy voted to pass House Bill 4190 to fund critical services for one month. The bill extends $2.2 billion in state fund to pay for essential items including child care assistance, home services for seniors and those with developmental and physical disabilities and healthcare for veterans. The measure would also keep medical assistance programs for Illinois' poorest and most sick afloat.
"The children, seniors and veterans who will be left without the services they deserve are the real victims of the governor's insistence on a government shutdown," Smiddy said. "We cannot balance the state budget by cutting state services that save money in the long run and I am disappointed that many of my colleagues did not join me in standing up for hardworking men and women across the state."
House Bill 4190 failed to receive the required 71 votes to pass. Smiddy says he will continue working with members from both sides of the aisle, or any part of the state, who want to work together to find fiscally responsible solutions.
For more information, please contact Smiddy's full-time constituent service office at 309-848-9098.
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02 Jul 2015

Smiddy Joins Rock Falls Mayor to Talk with Residents at Coffee Shop

By Paul Ferrero
PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is continuing his efforts to be accessible to constituents by hosting a "coffee and conversation" meeting in partnership with Mayor Bill Wescott of Rock Falls on Friday, July 10 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Family Table Restaurant, located at 1204 W Rock Falls Rd in Rock Falls.
"As the governor continues to insist upon his extreme agenda at the expense of services that working families depend on, it's more important than ever that I hear from constituents regularly as the situation in Springfield rapidly changes," Smiddy said. "I want to thank Mayor Wescott for hosting me as I attempt to get a better sense of local perspectives on state issues."
Smiddy and Wescott will be at the Family Table Restaurant in Rock Falls from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10. They invite residents to join them for a discussion of state and local current events. They welcome ideas for solving city and state problems and offer the resources of each office to constituents.
"I want to thank Representative Smiddy for joining me in Rock Falls to maintain an open dialogue with constituents," said Wescott. "I hope all who are able will join us to share their thoughts on how to make our community and our state stronger."
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29 Jun 2015

Local Families Join Smiddy to Show Steep Cost of Rauner Budget in Moline, Sterling

By Paul Ferrero

PORT BYRON, Ill. - Gov. Bruce Rauner's budget plan would take a steep toll on middle-class families, the elderly, and sick and disabled residents said local families who joined with state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, to urge a more balanced solution to the state's budget challenges.

"The state budget isn't about numbers on paper, it's about middle-class families, the elderly and people who deserve a hand when facing some of life's most difficult obstacles like illness and disability," Smiddy said. "A budget that denies them the care they need and the services they depend on simply costs too much."

Rauner has proposed cutting the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program by nearly $10 million. An estimated 27,000 women rely on the program every year to access free mammograms and cervical cancer screenings, but the governor's cut would keep an estimated 14,000 women from accessing this life-saving care. The governor's proposal also slashes more than $1 million in funding for CGH Medical Center in Sterling and Morrison Community Hospital, which the Illinois Hospital Association warns will cost the area more than $2.7 million in economic activity and eliminate local 20 jobs.

"As the husband of a breast cancer survivor, it is appalling to me that the governor would use funding for cancer detection and treatment as leverage in his political game," Smiddy said. "My wife and I were very fortunate that she was diagnosed early and received the necessary treatment. Across our state, too many women do not have that same access to care. We need to make sure Illinois stands behind them and do what it takes to provide them with the treatment they need."

Rauner has also called for the suspension of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps over 8,000 area residents cover the costs of home heating every winter, and has proposed severe reductions to agricultural education, and programs that serve families of children with autism. Policy changes backed by the governor would make it harder for seniors to receive in-home care, forcing elderly residents to seek out more costly nursing home care.

Smiddy joined with Rock Island and Whiteside County families in Sterling and Moline to urge a more balanced approach that makes responsible spending cuts while protecting critical services for middle-class families, the elderly and those in great need.

"Balancing the budget on their backs of families that are already struggling to make ends meet won't make Illinois more competitive and it certainly isn't compassionate," Smiddy said. "These men and women work hard to provide for their families. They didn't create the mess in Springfield. They shouldn't be forced to pay for it."

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