In this issue:
- Republicans call for answers on correctional worker drug exposures
- Attorney General appeals ruling overturning state’s gun ban law
- One more week for our food drive and winter clothing drive
- Visit to Alliance Polysacks
Republicans call for answers on correctional worker drug exposures
House Republicans used the closing days of the fall veto session to call for answers from the Department of Corrections on the issue of drug exposures to correctional workers. Correctional workers around the state have been taken to hospitals or suffered other adverse effects from being exposed to illicit drugs and other harmful substances that have gotten into Illinois correctional facilities.
Governor Pritzker has appointed Latoya Hughes to be the new director of the Department of Corrections, but she has not yet been confirmed. My fellow representative, Charlie Meier, called for questions about these dangerous exposures to be part of her confirmation hearing before the Senate. House members warned that corrections workers throughout the state are being put in danger, as are their family members and the health care workers who treat them if they end up in the hospital. We need to know how these substances are getting into prisons and what the Department of Corrections is doing to stop them and to better protect those who work there.
We should be taking every step we can to protect our correctional workers from harm. These questions need to be answered before the new director is confirmed.
Attorney General appeals ruling overturning state’s gun ban law
A few weeks ago a federal judge ruled Illinois’ 2023 gun ban law unconstitutional. As expected, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed an appeal.
Federal Judge Stephen McGlynn issued a 168-page decision striking down the entirety of the law, which would have banned most private ownership of certain commonly-owned firearms and ammunition supplies in Illinois. The judge ruled the law was a violation of the Second Amendment.
It was widely expected that the Attorney General would appeal the ruling, and now he has done so, asking the federal court of appeals to oppose the lower court’s decision. The Attorney General also asked the appeals court to stay the lower court’s injunction against the enforceability of the law, a request which, if granted, would mean the controversial law will remain place for the time being.
Since the first lawsuits were filed last year, Second Amendment advocates expected that the matter would ultimately be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. That seems to be the direction we are still headed. No timeline has yet been announced for when a hearing on the appeal will occur.
One more week for our food drive and winter clothing drive
Through next Friday my office will be collecting donations of non-perishable foods as well as new or gently-used hats and gloves for our local food pantries and non-profits. Even though winter has yet to officially begin, we have already seen snowfall in our area and we know what Illinois winters can be like.
If you are able, please remember our neighbors in need and drop off donations of food or hats and gloves at either of my district offices before next Friday. We are located at 132 E. Main Street in Dwight and 342 W. Walnut Street in Watseka. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
Visit to Alliance Polysacks
Last week, Kira and I met with Rupak Kobawala, Senator Bennett and his staff, as well as Mary Catherine from Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s office at Alliance Polysacks in Watseka.
Rupak is one of the owners and purchased the former Uarco building on the west side of Watseka earlier this year. This manufacturing facility has the ability to produce 120 million bags annually. When they become fully functional, they will employ 70 to 75 people and run 24/7. During our visit, they were printing bags for play sand. Very excited for Alliance Polysacks and the Watseka community.
Our current bill backlog
When a vendor provides the state with goods and services, they submit the bill to the Illinois Comptroller for payment. The Comptroller processes the paperwork and pays the bill when funds are available in the state’s checking account. Currently the total amount of unpaid bills is $2,506,261,147. This figure changes daily. Last year at this time the state had $2.0 billion in bills awaiting payment. This only includes bills submitted to the Comptroller for payment, not unfunded debts like the state’s pension liability, which is well over $100 billion.
Illinois headlines
Ameren Illinois suggests tips to keep costs low and spirits high
House GOP opposes lame-duck session
Illinois rolls out first phase of plan to modernize professional licensing