Will form basis of a strategic plan for Rural Affairs Council

MOLINE - July 26, 2012. More than half of participants at a series of rural listening posts held across Illinois this year said they expect their quality of life to improve in the next five years and cited job creation, education funding and access to affordable healthcare as the top issues facing their communities, Lt. Governor Simon said today.

These are the major themes in a report written by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University detailing the feedback Simon gathered from citizens during her rural listening tour in the spring, which took her to Carbondale, Freeport, Gibson City, Mattoon, Peoria and Quincy.

Simon presented the report to the 25-member Rural Affairs Council during a council meeting in Moline today and said the information will form the basis of a strategic plan that will guide the council's work and complement its focus on expanding local food access and strengthening rural emergency medical services.

"I look forward to working with council members to turn this feedback into a plan that ensures state government is meeting the needs of rural citizens," said Simon. "Being from Southern Illinois I appreciate the need for innovative ideas that will boost rural economies."

Over 360 people attended the listening posts and were asked to rank top concerns in the areas of health care, education, infrastructure, business climate, workforce training and quality of life before giving more detailed input during small roundtable discussions.

Despite the overall optimism of listening post attendees, 37 percent thought the quality of life in their community would get worse due to a lack of good paying jobs, and nearly 35 percent voiced concerns about inadequate school funding. Close to half of participants said the ability of local schools to prepare students either for college or for the workforce was the most important education issue.

Participants gave several ideas on how to alleviate these issues including a greater emphasis on vocational and technical training in addition to better collaboration between schools and local businesses. Participants also identified skills such as literacy and math as skills workers need to improve.

Governor Quinn recently signed a bill that Simon helped draft that directs the Illinois State Board of Education to develop model math curricula that will improve college readiness and workforce preparedness. The law is part of Simon's efforts to strengthen the state's community college system and improve college completion rates.

"Too many students arrive at college not prepared for college-level math and too many employers, especially in manufacturing, say workers lack the necessary math skills needed in today's global economy," Simon said. "We aim to reduce remediation and  prepare students for careers by strengthening math instruction in middle school and all four years of high school."

Rising healthcare costs were a top issue for participants as 32 percent of attendees said affordable healthcare was the most important healthcare issue, while another 22 percent cited access and availability of health insurance. Participants said that improved preventative care and healthier lifestyles could help stem rising costs.

Participants also discussed the critical role technology, particularly access to high-speed internet, will play in offering rural areas expanded access to specialists, preventive care and education services and helping control costs through improvements such as electronic medical records.

Improving high-speed internet access was seen by participants as vital to all parts of rural life in Illinois and attendees said it could offer solutions that enable rural residents, businesses and institutions to collaborate, increase efficiency and control costs. But the biggest barrier to expanding internet use was cost, according to 32 percent of attendees.

"We were impressed by the quality of the discussion and the passion that many of the attendees brought to the conversation," said Christopher Merrett, director of the IIRA. "By participating in the Listening Posts, rural residents demonstrated their commitment to their communities and their belief that rural areas are great places to live, work, and do business."

The report directs the Rural Affairs Council to form a work group and use participants' feedback along with data from the IIRA's Rural Life Poll, which formed the foundation of the questions asked at the listening posts, to begin work on a strategic plan.

Rural listening posts were held by Lt. Governor George Ryan across Illinois in 1986 and led to creation of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council the following year. In 1998, 2000 and 2007, the Rural Affairs Council, the IIRA and the Illinois Rural Partners, a non-profit, organized listening posts across Illinois to directly gather input from rural citizens.

The Rural Affairs Council is comprised of citizen members and representatives from various state agencies, institutions and organizations that impact rural Illinois. For more information on the council or to read the listening post report visit www.ltgov.illinois.gov.

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New Laws to Support Law Enforcement and Protect Court Officers

CHICAGO - July 24, 2012. As part of his ongoing efforts to increase public safety in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws that will help law enforcement crack down on drug crime and protect members of the justice system. The governor signed the new laws at the Illinois State Police Forensics Labs in Chicago and was joined by members of Illinois' law enforcement community who support the new laws, including the Illinois State Police, the Chicago Police Department, and numerous state's attorneys.

Governor Quinn has signed several new laws this summer to crack down on crime and strengthen public safety, including one that empowers law enforcement to prosecute street gangs as organized crime and a law guarding against sex offenders by requiring park districts to perform employee background checks.

"The men and women who protect us from crime every day need the tools to do their jobs effectively," Governor Quinn said. "These laws will help law enforcement get more criminals off the street and protect the members of our judicial system as they carry out justice for the people of Illinois."

House Bill 4081, sponsored by Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) and Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), creates an exemption in Illinois' eavesdropping statute which allows State's Attorneys to give prior approval for the recording of individuals whom law enforcement suspects will commit a drug crime. The evidence obtained in these recordings may be used only in the prosecution of drug crimes or forcible felonies committed during the investigation of a drug crime. Current law allows law enforcement to obtain a court order to record a drug crime, but delays in that process in the past have resulted in missed crimes. This law is also a safeguard for undercover officers who may require immediate assistance when their lives are in danger.

"As a former State's Attorney for Madison County, I know this law will be invaluable in reducing the drug crime that plagues our communities," Sen. Haine said.

This legislation will strengthen the justice system by allowing more credible evidence into criminal proceedings. Judges and juries will be able to hear the actual conversations of those suspected of committing drug crimes, rather than relying on witness testimony that can be unreliable. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will also have more evidence to consider while negotiating plea agreements, which reduce the burden upon the criminal justice system. This new process allows Illinois law enforcement the same flexibility in crime situations as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement in surrounding states. The law is effective January 1.

House Bill 5877, sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), creates the Illinois Judicial Privacy Act, which prohibits individuals, businesses, associations or government agencies from posting a judicial officer's personal information if that officer has requested in writing that it be removed. Upon receipt of the request, government agencies must remove information that is publicly available within five business days. Individuals, associations and businesses must remove the information within 72 hours. A person who posts personal information knowing that it could pose a threat to the health or safety of a judicial officer or his/her immediate family and which is a proximate cause of injury or death would be guilty of a Class 3 felony.

This legislation is an initiative of the Illinois Judges Association, which has found threats to judges rising steadily over the past decade. It was designed in response to the murder of the mother and husband of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow. Law enforcement believes the two were victims of retaliation against the judge following an unfavorable ruling.

Sections of the law concerning the posting of information are effective within 60 days and provisions affecting information use by the Secretary of State for identification cards, vehicle registrations and driver's licenses are effective January 1.

CHICAGO - July 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 3340

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law requires the Secretary of State's office to regulate scrap processors and properly issue vehicle titles based certain requirements.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4569

An Act Concerning: State Government

The law consolidates the responsibilities of the Secretary of State Merit Commission and gives the Secretary of State inspector general greater flexibility when hiring investigators and auditors.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4602

An Act Concerning: Education

The law gives the Ridgeland School District 122 bonding authority of up to $50 million, in order to refund bonds originally issued in 2000 by voter approval.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5073

An Act Concerning: Secretary of State

The law allows the Office of the Secretary of State to waive drivers' fees once the Governor declares a disaster.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 5190

An Act Concerning: Business

The law prohibits any person from knowingly filing a false or fraudulent document with the Secretary of State in connection with a secured transaction.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5362

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law extends the deadline for non-home rule municipalities to use the tax proceeds for municipal operations from the following: the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, or the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5493

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law allows expands the offenses for which the Secretary of State must revoke a driver's license or permit and permits the Secretary of State to issue an administrative citation in lieu of filing a criminal complaint in certain situations.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1691

An Act Concerning: Business

The law amends the Secretary of State's business entity laws to add provisions pertaining to the reinstatement of certain business entities, the resignation of registered agents and the electronic filing of required documents.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2492

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law enables individuals serving on a jury to waive any payments they receive.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan.1

Bill No.: SB 3453

An Act Concerning: Regulation

The law creates the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Fund and gives control of the fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3718

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Requires the development and implementation of rules regarding the denial of reimbursement for non-emergency ambulance transport.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

FRANKFORT - July 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed four new laws to improve road safety across Illinois by reducing speeding and distracted driving. The governor was joined by legislators, community leaders and families of crash victims to enact Julie's Law, named after a Chicago-area crash victim, and several additional laws that restrict cell phone usage in school and construction zones. Today's action is the latest by Governor Quinn to increase safety on Illinois roads and highways.

"By working together, we can deter reckless driving behavior and create safer roads across our state," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will protect children and families, and prevent dangerous trends such as speeding and distracted driving."

Senate Bill 2888, also known as Julie's Law, is sponsored by Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) and Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Arlington Heights). The law prohibits courts from granting supervision to any defendant charged with operating a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than 30 mph over the posted speed limit, or in excess of 25 mph in an urban district.

Julie's Law is named after Orland Park teen Julie Gorczysnski, who lost her life in 2011 after being struck by a speeding driver going 76 mph in a 40 mph zone. The driver who collided with Gorczysnski's car had previously been placed on court supervision seven times for excessive speeding. The law is effective Jul. 1, 2013.

"A young woman in my district was killed in an accident caused by someone who should have never been behind the wheel at all," Sen. Crotty said. "This law will help make sure that no family will have to endure the loss of a loved one in the way that has befallen the Gorczysnski family."

"This legislation addresses motorists who are pulled over for driving more than 25 miles over the speed limit in urban areas and more than 30 miles an hour over on highways," Rep. Mathias said. "It is my hope that the more stringent penalties will serve as a deterrent for motorists who put their lives and the lives of others at risk by driving too fast."

Governor Quinn also signed additional laws to improve traffic safety today. Senate Bill 2488, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood), expands the definition of construction and maintenance work zones to include areas where Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) or a local agency has posted signage advising motorists of an approaching speed zone. This expansion prohibits the use of cell phones in all roadway work zones, which will prevent distracted driving and increase protection for work crews. Previously, the use of cell phones was only prohibited in work zones with speed limit reductions. The law is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

House Bill 5099, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello, II (D-Sparta) and Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), prohibits motorists from using mobile phones when driving within 500 feet of an emergency scene, and expands the definition of "electronic message." The legislation will reduce distracted driving by banning talking and taking photos on a mobile device near an emergency scene. The law is effective immediately.

House Bill 5101, sponsored by Rep. John D'Amico (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), brings the Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) into compliance with federal regulations, and prohibits a commercial motor vehicle operator from using a hand-held mobile phone or engaging in texting while driving. The legislation also amends the code to include texting or using a hand-held mobile device as a "serious traffic violation." The law is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

"Our goal is to drive zero fatalities to reality, and these new measures take us another step in the right direction," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider.

For more information about traffic safety, visit www.dot.state.il.us.

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