SPRINGFIELD – The Department of Human Services Treatment and Detention Facility in Rushville is about to undergo a $13 million expansion to alleviate overcrowding and bring new jobs to central Illinois.

The Rushville TDF is the only facility in the state that houses residents classified as Sexually Violent Persons, and it is currently over capacity. It was designed to house 482 detainees and is now housing 507. The first phase of the construction project, which is set to begin in late February or early March, will add rooms for 96 residents. In addition to easing overcrowding, the expansion will create new construction jobs.

Funding for the first phase of the expansion exists from a previous capital bill, and construction is slated for completion by August. A second phase of construction will provide facilities for an additional 192 detainees once funds and contracts are secured.

"The state's facilities in Rushville are in desperate need of expansion, and the jobs created by a construction project like this will undoubtedly help the region's economy," State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said.

Sullivan introduced legislation to help facilitate this expansion by allowing for the transfer and temporary housing of TDF residents during construction. Senate Bill 93, as introduced, will allow the DHS to house Sexually Violent Persons at Chester Mental Health Center during the Rushville construction project. If passed, DHS will set aside a section of the Chester facility for TDF residents.

Chester Mental Health Center is the state's maximum-security mental health center. It houses criminal defendants who were found not guilty by reason of insanity or are mentally unfit to stand trial. The Chester facility was chosen because it can meet residents' care and security needs until construction at TDF is complete. While housed at Chester Mental Health Center, the TDF residents will be segregated from the rest of the population.

"During construction of the Rushville TDF, we need to ensure the safety and treatment of residents and employees while at the same time protect the communities that house them," Sullivan said.

A Sexually Violent Person is someone convicted of a violent sex crime and has been found to have a mental disorder. They also are likely to commit future acts of sexual violence if released and are detained to protect the public as well as for treatment.

Senate Bill 93 has been referred to the Senate Human Services Committee.

NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville), accompanied by his wife Joan and other family members, took the oath of office today to begin his fourth term representing the people of the 47th District in the Illinois State Senate. The inauguration ceremony, held on the Senate floor at the State Capitol in Springfield, marks the beginning of the 98th General Assembly.

"I'm honored to represent the residents of the 47th District, to be their voice in Springfield," Sen. Sullivan said. "My efforts to create good jobs, promote quality and affordable education and address the infrastructure needs of western Illinois will continue."

Sen. Sullivan, first elected to the Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2004, 2008 and most recently last fall, remains the Senate's only active farmer. He is known for his bipartisanship and support of the state's agricultural industry and the jobs it creates. The 47th District encompasses all or part of Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren Counties.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to confront the challenges our state faces and to make Illinois an even better place to live," Sen. Sullivan said. "I congratulate each of the 41 new members of the House and Senate, as well as the returning members, and I look forward to working with them to find solutions."

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 NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2012

Ready to work on commonsense statewide gun legislation

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) applauded today’s ruling by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which struck down Illinois’ restrictive law on bearing arms outside the home. The federal court gave the General Assembly and the governor 180 days to enact concealed carry legislation.

“I am extremely pleased with today’s decision and could not agree more that the time has come for Illinois to join the 49 other states where it’s legal to carry a gun for self-defense in a public place,” Sen. Sullivan said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to draft a law that finally respects Illinoisans’ Second Amendment rights and makes our state a safer place for law-abiding citizens.”

Illinois law currently prohibits carrying a loaded weapon outside one’s own home, with exceptions for hunters, law enforcement officers and a few other types of individuals. Following the United States Supreme Court’s lead, the appeals court in a 2-1 decision declared that the right to bear arms includes a right to self-defense and that people need to defend themselves and their families in a variety of settings, not just in their homes. The court suggested some restrictions would still be permissible but unequivocally stated that Illinois may no longer remain the last hold-out in the nationwide movement to allow concealed carry.

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: December 5, 2012

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) is notifying western Illinois fire departments of three grant opportunities: federal Fire Prevention and Safety Grants, grants for rural volunteer fire departments and the Illinois Fire Marshal's Small Equipment Grant Program.

Applications for the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants may be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) between December 17, 2012, and January 18, 2013. Grants will pay for community outreach activities aimed at preventing fires and related injuries among high-risk groups. Grants may also fund programs that improve firefighter safety and wellbeing. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has also received federal funds for fire protection - $230,000 for rural volunteer fire departments. The deadline to apply for these funds is March 15, 2013.

The Small Equipment Grant Program helps fire departments with few resources purchase items such as vehicle rescue equipment, communication devices and protective equipment for firefighters. Departments must submit applications for these state-funded grants by January 31, 2013. The program will distribute a total of $2 million.

"These are excellent opportunities, especially for cash-strapped rural and small-town fire departments," Sen. Sullivan said. "Fire chiefs and firefighters, many of them volunteers, not only respond to emergencies but also take on the task of educating the public about fire hazards. Departments need to be able to fund public outreach as well as equipment and training to keep their own personnel safe."

Application instructions and detailed information about the grants are available at http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program (Fire Prevention and Safety Grants), http://www.sfm.illinois.gov/news/ (IDNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program) and http://www.sfm.illinois.gov/fireservice/grantsloans.aspx (Small Equipment Grants). Departments needing further assistance are encouraged to contact one of Sen. Sullivan's offices at (309) 833-5526 (Macomb) or (217) 222-2295 (Quincy).

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2012

Low water levels on Mississippi affect barge traffic, agri-business

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) proposed a resolution, which the Senate adopted Thursday, calling on President Obama to declare an emergency and keep the Mississippi River open to barge traffic. Following this summer's extreme drought, water levels on the river remain low, potentially hindering Illinois farmers' ability to transport their crops to market via barge.

"Barge traffic on the Mississippi is absolutely essential to our state's economy," Sen. Sullivan said. "Unless the Army Corps of Engineers acts to keep the Mississippi at an adequate level, a complete stoppage of barge traffic is possible. That would be detrimental to our farmers, who were already struggling on account of the drought."

Farmers, shippers, food processing companies and other businesses are concerned the Corps' recent decision to restrict the flow of water from the Missouri River into the Mississippi River will exacerbate the drought's effect on water levels and close the Mississippi to commercial navigation. Sen. Sullivan was contacted by his local Schuyler County Farm Bureau and is working with other county Farm Bureaus to urge the federal government to stop restricting the water flow and, if needed, expedite dredging and rock pinnacle removal to keep the channel open.

"This situation has the potential to affect not just Illinois' farming community but a wide array of businesses dependent on this vital transportation link," Sen. Sullivan said. "It is significant that legislators are presenting a united front in asking the federal government to act now to avert a possible economic disaster."

The House will have an opportunity to adopt Senate Joint Resolution 80 when its members return to Springfield next week.

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