Naperville, IL… State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) continues to support a repeal of the bill signed by the Governor exactly one year ago which raised taxes by 67-percent on individuals and 46-percent on employers in Illinois.

“It is clear after looking at the numbers that this bill not only failed to follow through, but worsened the situation for many Illinois families and businesses,” Connelly said.

Senate Bill 2505 was signed by the Governor on January 13, 2011 with a goal to lead to quicker payments by the state on past-due bills, quicken school aid and prevent layoffs and unemployment. Unfortunately, just the opposite has resulted when looking at the numbers.

The Illinois unemployment rate rose from 9.1-percent in November 2010 to 10-percent by November 2011, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. These unemployment figures result in approximately 60,000 jobs lost during that same time frame.

 SB 2505 was aimed to prevent cuts in Illinois’ bond ratings yet the State’s Moody’s bond rating was cut from A1 to A2 just last week. An average family of three with a median household income of $54,000 paid nearly $1,000 more in taxes in 2011 after SB 2505 went into effect.

“I will continue to work with my colleagues in reversing this legislation and making sure the state lives within its means,” Connelly said.

State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) has joined the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive in DuPage County to help collect new and unwrapped toys for children this holiday season.

A drop-off box located on the first floor of Rep. Connelly’s District Office makes it easy for the public to stop in and leave new toys for children this holiday season.

“I am proud to partner with the Marine Corp every year on this wonderful and much-needed holiday tradition,” Rep. Connelly said.

The deadline for toy drop-off is Dec. 16. Rep. Connelly’s office is located at 24W500 Maple Avenue, Suite 213. For more information, please contact his office at (630) 579-4848.

Springfield, IL… Legislation to address blatant abuse of the state’s public pension systems now awaits Governor Pat Quinn’s signature after passing both the House and the Senate yesterday.

State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) was pleased to co-sponsor HB 3813 that stemmed from a Chicago Tribune investigation which uncovered millions of dollars in public pension money being paid out to individuals based on their union-related work and salaries.

Once the new reforms are signed into law, the pension code will have numerous changes to prevent any future abuse of the system including the termination of “double-dipping” which once allowed public employees who were on a leave absence to earn pension credit from both a public and union pension fund for the same time worked.

Another change will be to end the “6 month window” that allowed union workers to become substitute teachers for a day and earn and pay pension credit in the Teacher’s Retirement System. This change came in light of a Chicago Tribune investigation which uncovered two Illinois Federation of Teacher lobbyists who served as substitute teachers for a day and received almost $108,000 in public pension payments.

“The people of Illinois who have worked hard for decades and rightfully earned their pensions have seen their pension systems abused by some of their very own union leaders,” Rep. Connelly said. “The reforms we passed today will help protect their pension funds, and prevent this type of abuse from happening again.”

Other provisions include the prohibition of public employees from earning credit in their pension fund while on a leave of absence working for their union and the requirement of state pension fund or retirement system board members and directors to report reasonable suspicion of fraud.

The reforms will become effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.

Springfield, IL… In light of a Chicago Tribune Watchdog probe of union leaders reaping millions in monetary benefits from a loophole in the state’s pension law, State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) has co-sponsored House Bill 3813 aimed at reforming public pensions in the state of Illinois which passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Oct. 27.

The state’s pension problems stem from a law passed in 1991 that bases the city pensions on the labor leaders’ union salaries as opposed to the lower salaries they had as city employees.

A Tribune/WGN-TV investigation unveiled 23 retired union officials from Chicago which will collect about $56 million from two city pension funds.  The Tribune probe also found two Illinois Federation of Teachers lobbyists who served as a substitute teacher for a day that were allowed to receive a near $108,000 public pension, more than double the salary of the average Illinois Teacher.

The bill would amend Illinois and Chicago pension systems. The legislation states that for certain leaves of absence during which a participant is employed by a labor organization, contributions (pay) will be based upon the participant’s regular salary rather than the salary received from the organization.

“Pension reform has been a necessity for the state and this bill will now stop those who were abusing the system,” Rep. Connelly said. “The taxpayers deserve and demand an end to these abuses.”

HB 3813 passed the Illinois House of Representatives  and will now go before the Senate for consideration.

Saturday, September 24th
9:00 a.m. – Noon
Kennedy Jr. High School
2929 Green Trails Dr., Lisle
FREE Admission, Refreshments & Giveaways!!!
Don’t Miss the Touch A Truck Exhibit!!!
Questions? Call (630) 579-4848
or e-mail repconnelly48@gmail.com.

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