CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 2401

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Permits subdivisions within Cook County to participate in the Redeploy Illinois program.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 2404

An Act Concerning: Courts

Allows 17 year-olds to be tried in juvenile court for felony offenses.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3172

An Act Concerning: Courts

Allows judges to vacate a finding of delinquency once the juvenile has completed supervision.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

The Sherrard Academic Foundation through the Moline Foundation awarded three $1,000.00 scholarships plus two $750.00 scholarships to graduating seniors from Sherrard High School who plan to continue his/her education through an accredited program.

One (1) $1,000 scholarship funded by the Farmers State Bank of Western Illinois will be awarded to a student attending a four year, two year or vocational school.

Two (2) $1,000 SAF scholarships and two (2) $750.00 Holdsworth Scholarships will be awarded to students attending a community college, vocational or technical school. These awards will be paid directly to the college/school upon proof of enrollment expenses.

Carly Adams-Viola, IL received the SAF/Farmers State Bank of Western Illinois $1,000.00 scholarship. Carly will attend Augustana College, Rock Island and major in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Anne Winston, Sherrard IL received the SAF $1,000.00 scholarship. Anne will attend Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, IL and major in nursing.

Tyler Lynch, New Windsor, IL received the SAF $1,000.00 scholarship. Tyler will attend Indian Hill Community College, Ottumwa, IA and major in Diesel and Locomotive Technology.

Abagail Beaty, Sherrard, IL and Audrey Waterman, Viola, IL each received the $750.00 Wayne and Joyce Holdsworth Scholarship.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to benefit health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which help the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson and McDonough counties in Illinois. The Moline Foundation has a current endowment of approximately $17 million.

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Q:        Will Congress take up tax reform this Congress?

A:        The tax-writing Senate Finance Committee is laying the groundwork to rewrite the federal tax code.  If this effort comes off, it would be much bigger than the garden-variety legislative changes that take place from year to year.  Since the last major overhaul 27 years ago, the nation's tax code today resembles an overgrown garden.  Filing taxes takes more and more time and often more professional help every year.  It's time to make the tax code fairer and simpler.  It's also necessary to counteract the urge of some individuals in the nation's capital to raise taxes.  Big spenders in Washington have big appetites.  Instead of belt-tightening to make ends meet, they like to load Uncle Sam's plate with bigger helpings of taxpayer money.  For example, President Obama is still not satisfied.  He has called for even more tax increases on top of the ones he signed into law in January and on top of the large tax increases included in his health care reform law.  Lifting the lid on taxes is a recipe for economic disaster.  Raising rates on entrepreneurs and small business owners leaves less money in their bottom lines to invest, raise wages or hire new workers.  Taking a bigger bite out of wage earners' paychecks leaves less money for households to pay their bills, buy cars and appliances, or put money away for college or retirement.  As a senior member of the Finance Committee, I look forward to the opportunities that come with a clean slate.  As the United States struggles to regain stronger footing in the global economy, the federal tax code needs to meet, not exceed, the fundamental budgetary needs of the federal government by sticking to strong principles of economic growth and job creation.  When it comes to setting tax policy, Congress needs to stick to perhaps the most important rule of thumb for economic growth:  Less is more.  That goes double for the federal estate tax, which generally subjects American taxpayers to double taxation on income that Uncle Sam has already taxed.

Q:        Do you see Congress finally repealing the federal estate tax once and for all?

A:        The federal tax code burdens the taxpaying public with its complexity.  Lawmakers must focus on tax policies that make the system fairer and simpler.  Repealing the punitive estate tax on the nation's family-owned farms, ranches and businesses would be a good step in the right direction.  After a farmer or business owner puts a lifetime of sweat equity, savings and investment into a family business, the federal estate tax slaps the next generation with an unaffordable burden upon the death of a loved one.  It's been nearly 100 years since passage of the first federal estate tax in 1916.  Those who support scaling back this tax had some success in the tax law of 2001.  We phased out the estate tax for a time but we were unable to make full repeal permanent.  Achieving full repeal will be difficult as some members of Congress, as well as President Obama, have advocated increasing the burden of the estate tax.  But it's time to let this 20^th century relic rest in peace once and for all.  As a co-sponsor of the "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013" introduced by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, I will work to give families more certainty and peace of mind so they don't have to sell off assets or lay off workers to pay what Uncle Sam considers his fair share within nine months of a loved one's funeral.  Advocates of the federal estate tax believe wealth redistribution is good for America.  To the contrary, the death tax kills wealth creation and puts at risk the transfer of family-owned businesses from one generation to the next.  America was founded upon the principles of opportunity, ownership and prosperity.  The federal estate tax runs counter to those principles by ripping the rug out from beneath those whose families worked a lifetime to climb America's ladder of opportunity so that the next generation may also realize the promises of the American dream.

New Laws Will Protect Gang Crime Witnesses and Require School Officials to Report Illegal Gang Activity

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed new laws that will help fight gang crimes and protect those who aid law enforcement in these efforts. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of all people in every community across Illinois.

"All Illinois residents have the right to be safe in their homes, schools and on our streets," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws give us more tools to fight gang violence, crack down on the criminals and protect those who are doing the right thing for public safety."

House Bill 1139, sponsored by State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Westchester) and State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), creates the Gang Crime Witness Protection Act. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority will establish a Gang Crime Witness Protection Program to assist those who are actively aiding in the prosecution of gang crimes. The program will reimburse counties for assistance they provide victims and witnesses, including temporary living costs and moving expenses. The new law takes effect immediately.

"We have to show people that the law is stronger than street gangs," Welch said. "These bills will help make our schools safer by allowing for greater communication between our principals and law enforcement, and protect those who have the courage to stand up to gang violence."

"This legislation will empower people who might be afraid to testify against members of organized crime regimes," Van Pelt said. "If witnesses are willing to tell the authorities everything they know about criminal activity, they can help stop the violence that is rampant in our communities."

House Bill 2768, also sponsored by State Rep. Welch along with State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), requires school principals and assistant principals to report any illegal weapons use or possession, or any illegal gang activity, to the proper law enforcement officials. The bill also requires courts and law enforcement officials to notify principals when one of their students is detained for illegal gang activity. The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

As part of his public safety agenda, last week Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 183, legislation that would allow and regulate the carrying of concealed handguns in public places. The changes address several serious safety problems with the legislation and will make communities safer across the state.

The governor's changes to House Bill 183 limit concealed carry guns to one per person and one ammunition magazine holding no more than 10 cartridges. The changes would also continue to allow local governments to enact assault weapons bans in their communities; keep guns out of establishments serving alcohol, including most family restaurants; and make the presumption that weapons cannot be carried onto private property or in the workplace unless permission to do so is granted. The Governor's changes establish a better law that puts public safety first. Full details of the governor's amendatory veto as well as how to contact your legislator are available at www.KeepIllinoisSafe.org.

The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield on July 9 to act on Governor Quinn's amendatory veto. They can vote to accept the veto, which requires a three-fifths majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or they could vote to override the veto, which requires a three-fifths majority in both chambers. If both chambers do nothing, House Bill 183 will not be enacted and Illinois' current concealed carry law will be struck down by the courts.