PORT BYRON, IL - Legislation co-sponsored by state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) to increase restrictions on protests at military funerals passed the House last week.

"Hateful political protests that harass and insult the loved ones of fallen soldiers are despicable and misguided," said Smiddy. "When our men and women in uniform give the ultimate sacrifice, we have a responsibility to lay them to rest with the respect and dignity they deserve. Unfortunately, some individuals abuse military funeral services as an opportunity to make a provocative political statement and draw attention to themselves, and I want to make sure that military families have a buffer to protect them from these hateful actions."

Currently, military funerals are protected within a 300 feet buffer zone from the funeral site's entrance and exit points. Smiddy's House Bill 2916 follows the line set by other states and extends this buffer zone to 1,000 feet. The legislation also extends the time frame when protests cannot be held to one hour before and one hour after the service.

"This bill will help to guarantee that military families can say their last goodbyes in peace and ensure our fallen soldiers are laid to rest without any disrespectful distractions," Smiddy said. "With these stronger protections in place, we can better honor their sacrifices, their lives, and the friends, families, and promising futures they leave behind."

House Bill 2916 is under consideration by the Senate. For more information, contact Smiddy's office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll free at (855) 243-4988.

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PORT BYRON, IL - Investment scam artists who prey on unsuspecting individuals would no longer
escape prosecution under legislation being advanced by State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Port
Byron).

"This measure goes after scammers and protects Illinois residents from unscrupulous investors," Smiddy
said. "Too many snake oil salesman and hucksters avoid being held accountable for their crimes - this
legislation aims to change that. By extending the statute of limitations to void crooked investment deals
we can penalize perpetrators while helping people who have been wronged."

House Bill 2969 amends the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 to broaden the limitations period for bringing
an action to void a security's sale. Under current law, a defrauded investor may bring a private or civil
action within three years from the date of sale. This three-year period may be extended by two years if
the investor did not know about the fraud. However, the current statutory language sets a firm cap of
five years for prosecution. Smiddy's legislation removes the five-year cap and provides that limitations
may be further extended as a way to prevent scammers from escaping prosecution.

"Con-artists and those who defraud investors should not be able to avoid liability," Smiddy said. "This is
a strong strep toward increasing consumer protections and decreasing the number of crooked investors
in Illinois. I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in passing this important piece of legislation
quickly."

For more information, contact Smiddy's office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll free at
(855) 243-4988.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL - In response to Governor Quinn's annual budget address delivered on Wednesday, state Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) issued the following statement:

"Governor Quinn's budget address highlighted the many fiscal challenges the state is facing and the urgency with which we must address these issues. As our debts pile on and families struggle to fully recover from the recession, state lawmakers have to be responsible in capping spending, preventing hardworking families from being hit with higher taxes, and paying down our bills.

"Just yesterday, I worked in a bipartisan manner in the House to take the first steps in crafting the next budget by agreeing to a plan of what we estimate the revenue will be coming into the state and setting a cap for spending. The House's revenue estimates are more conservative than the governor's estimates in his spending plan. These estimates will serve as the base of the House's  budgeting to ensure that limit our spending, pay down our backlog of bills, and commit to a more fiscally responsible budgeting process.

"As we make these difficult decisions to cut the state budget, we have to be careful that we are making smart cuts that do not hurt our long-term goals. I strongly disagree with the governor's proposed $400 million in cuts the already-decimated education budget. Continuing to slash education spending will only make it more difficult for our youth to succeed in today's ever-challenging job market, and I will fight to preserve educational opportunities for our students.

"I look forward to the opportunity to work with my colleagues and collaborate with the 71st District to find new and creative ways to cut the state budget, hold lawmakers accountable, and create a more fiscally sound state for our families."

For more information, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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PORT BYRON, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) invites local residents and business leaders to share their concerns and experience of the local economic climate at a meeting of his Economic Development Advisory Committee on Monday, March 11 at 7 AM. The meeting will be hosted by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, located at 622 19th Street in Moline, IL and is free and open to the public.

"The health and future of our state depends on our ability to create and retain good-paying jobs in our community," said Smiddy. "I am committed to finding the long-term, effective solutions we need to improve the business climate and encourage companies to invest in Illinois."

Recently appointed to the House Small Business Empowerment and Workforce Development Committee, Smiddy is working to shape the state's business and economic policies to help people get back to work, support small businesses as they struggle to stay afloat and to bring more opportunities to communities in the 71st District. The advisory committee allows him to meet in a small group setting with residents and business owners interested in economic issues to discuss legislative proposals and their impact.

"Advisory committees are another outlet for me to meet with residents to better understand the issues and priorities of this community," Smiddy said. "Collaboration with community leaders is a vital partnership to enable us to move forward as a stronger Illinois."

In addition to his Economic Development Advisory Committee, Smiddy has met with Advisory Committees focusing on senior citizen issues and education. He plans to form committees centering on other pertinent local issues in the coming months. He welcomes area residents to participate, or to share their concerns and questions at his full-time constituent service office, open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; from 10 AM to 6 PM on Wednesdays; and from 8 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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