GALESBURG, IL – Senator Sullivan spoke Wednesday at the graduation ceremony for participants in the Stone Hayes Center for Independent Living’s Legislative Internship Program. Stone Hayes, which helps Henderson, Warren, and Knox County residents with disabilities live independently in their communities, offers its legislative interns a 16-week program in leadership, government, civil involvement, and disabilities advocacy. The focus of the course is the importance of voting and encouraging others to vote. Sen. Sullivan shared his five principles of leadership with the graduates.

Beardstown, IL – Senator John Sullivan attended and spoke at the monthly meeting of the Cass Schuyler Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition on June 18. Local school districts, the Cass County Mental Health Association, Cass County Probation, the Cass County Health Department, the Taylor Clinic, and Schuyler Counseling were represented, and Beardstown Police Chief Tom Schleuter, Schuyler County Judge Alesia McMillen, and Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) were also on hand to discuss strategies for reducing drug and alcohol abuse among area youth. Sen. Sullivan listened to community members’ concerns and emphasized the importance of prioritizing prevention.

NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: May 31, 2012

Sullivan Co-Sponsors New Bonding for Road Improvements
$1.6 billion will keep projects moving, workers on the job

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) welcomed the legislature’s approval of $1.6 billion in additional bonding authority to continue funding a major capital improvements program. Illinois Jobs Now!, a multi-year infrastructure improvement program, funds projects for roads and transit statewide. The bonding plan, which Sen. Sullivan co-sponsored, will allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to maximize the use of federal funds and prevent delays in construction projects already in the planning stages.

“Roads are vital to Illinois’ economy, particularly in large and predominantly rural areas like western Illinois,” Sen. Sullivan said. “I’m pleased this bonding authority, which passed with bipartisan support, will keep workers on the job, create thousands of new construction jobs, and improve the roads and bridges necessary to bring goods to market and connect communities.”

"Our coalition was concerned about the serious impact of potentially losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects,” said Doug Whitley, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “Sen. Sullivan deserves great credit for helping us address this problem and working with Republicans in the Senate and both parties in the House to quickly address providing the funding to put people to work and move our construction program forward. We look forward to continuing to work with him to make transportation a high priority in Illinois."

The projects funded by this legislation have already been approved through Illinois Jobs Now!, and many are shovel-ready. The additional $1.6 billion will keep the state on-schedule as it seeks to maintain and update its highway and transit infrastructure.

House Bill 4568 passed both the Senate and the House today and will now go to the governor for his signature.

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Sullivan’s Fallen Soldier Property Tax Abatement Sent to Governor
Legislation also includes tax credit for businesses hiring unemployed vets

SPRINGFIELD, IL – During the week of Memorial Day, legislation containing a property tax abatement for the spouses of fallen service members and a tax credit benefitting unemployed veterans passed the General Assembly with the leadership of State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville). The measure allows counties and municipalities to decrease, or abate, the taxes on property owned by the spouse of a soldier who died while on active duty.

“Property tax abatements already exist for the surviving spouses of fallen police officers and rescue workers; it is fitting that we extend them to the spouses of our heroes in the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Sen. Sullivan said. “This Memorial Day, it is vital that we reinforce our words of gratitude with actions demonstrating the value we place on soldiers and their families.”

Senate Bill 3241, sponsored by Sen. Sullivan, also provides a tax credit for employers who hire a previously unemployed veteran who served on active duty on or after 9/11.

“The men and women who serve in the military risk everything to protect this nation. It’s only right that we show our appreciation to the families of fallen soldiers and to soldiers returning as they transition into civilian life,” Sen. Sullivan said.

The measure has been approved by the House and Senate and now goes to the governor for his signature.

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2012

HAMMOND AND SULLIVAN ELIMINATE LOOP-HOLE IN VEHICLE SEIZURE LAW
Allows sheriffs to seize cars when drivers have been convicted out of state

Springfield, IL – Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) worked together to pass legislation that will allow sheriffs to seize and petition for forfeiture of a car when the driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, even if the crime that caused the loss of license was committed in another state. House Bill 4863 will eliminate a loop-hole in the law that already allows for seizure and forfeiture when the driver has committed serious vehicle-related crimes in Illinois and is driving without a license.

“This legislation was suggested by one of my local State’s Attorneys,” said Representative Hammond. “It is particularly pertinent in areas that border other states.  The bill levels the playing field in that it provides that out of state motorists’ vehicles are subject to seizure and forfeiture, in Illinois, if they have been convicted of similar penalties that provide for vehicle seizer and forfeiture in their respective states.”

“When a person has committed a serious crime using a vehicle and has been stripped of his or her license, law enforcement must have the necessary tools to keep that person off Illinois roads,” Sen. Sullivan said. “It has been a privilege to work with Rep. Hammond and Hancock County State’s Attorney Jim Drozdz to make our roads safer.”

“The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening our state’s forfeiture laws by further deterring violators who have been suspended or revoked for a serious violation from getting back behind the wheel,” Drozdz said. “This is particularly important for border counties like Hancock that have significant out-of-state driver populations.”

Current law allows a car to be seized if the driver is found to be driving with a license that has been suspended or revoked because of a conviction under state law for DUI, reckless homicide, or leaving the scene of a serious accident; the legislation approved by the Senate today adds convictions for violations of similar local ordinances and laws of other states.

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