Naperville–State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Lisle) today signed on as chief co-sponsor to a six part plan aimed at cutting welfare costs to free up state cash for paying our back log of bills.

“The state must get our spending under control any way we can so we can begin to pay our bills,” said Rep. Connelly. “These measures will insure that people who are wanted for breaking the law or who have played the system will not cost the taxpayers anymore funding.”

The first of these cost-saving measures, House Bill 6141 sponsored by Rep. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), would require reimbursement by those whom law enforcement has to track down and arrest after the individual fails to appear in court on criminal charges. No-show offenders would be fined an additional $100 for each failure to appear warrant that officers must execute.

Additionally, House Bills 6139 and 6140 would immediately suspend the Illinois drivers’ license and the LINK (food assistance) card for persons wanted on a criminal arrest warrant.

“I feel it is important that we insure we are not helping those wanted by the law by giving them assistance in escaping, which seems to be happening all too often,” said Rep. Connelly.

The legislative package also has a pair of measures to free up funds by fighting fraud in the state’s public aid system. House Bill 6146 requires drug screening for all public aid recipients. House Bill 6137 will require photos on LINK food assistance cards to ensure they are being used only by those to whom they were issued.

“The process of reclaiming fiscal order in Illinois needs to begin somewhere,” stated Connelly. “With this package of legislation, we have an opportunity to begin chipping away at the state’s deficit while instilling some common-sense measures to clean up abuses to our state’s entitlement programs.”

On February 8th, Rep. Michael Connelly along with Rep. Darlene Senger, Sen. Randy Hultgren and Sen. Kirk Dillard will be hosting the  DuPage County Business Summit.

The workshop will be facilitated by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Useful information for business regarding, Veterans Program,  How to Receive Tax $$$$$ Credits for New Hires,  Illinois Skills Match, TaxNet,  IDES Off-site Recruitment Facilities/Services,  Illinois Labor Market Information,  Re-Entry Employment Services Program and  more will be provided.

When:     Monday, February 8, 2010

From: 8:00 AM to 11:00 Noon

Where:    400 S. Eagle Street

Naperville, IL 60540

In order to reserve your spot today please contact Kim Brondyke at Representative Connelly’s office,

Kbrondyke48@gmail.com or 630.579.4848.

dupage business summit

Naperville– State Rep. Michael Connelly, (R-Lisle) announced today that application forms for General Assembly Scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year are now available through his district office to residents of the 48th District. These one-year scholarships cover tuition costs at the undergraduate, graduate or professional level at any Illinois state school. School fees, books, room, and board are not included.

High school seniors, who have already been accepted to an Illinois state school, and students currently attending an Illinois state school, may apply. Eligible schools are the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana, Chicago and Springfield campuses), Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois, Governors State, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Northeastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Western Illinois.

To obtain an application, please call Rep. Connelly’s district office at (630) 579-4848 or visit his office at 25W380 Chicago Ave., Suite 100, Naperville, IL 60540. Verify residency in the 48th Legislative District at www.ilga.gov. Applications with official transcripts and all other requested documents must be received in the district office, by Monday, April 27, 2009.

2010-2011_APPLICATION

NAPERVILLE– State Rep. Michael Connelly, (R-Lisle) wants changes made to the procedures that have left school buses shuttling children on recalled parts.

“I don’t want to put one more child on a bus that has been declared unsafe for years,” Connelly said. “We need to get these recalls enforced right away.”

A study conducted in November 2009 found that up to 2,000 buses are driving with recalled parts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports parts that pose a potential safety risk by does not require the manufactures to read the list.

A resolution in the Illinois House that Rep. Connelly supports would ask the NHTSA to enforce timely recall efforts by the manufacturers to replace the defective components. The resolution also prompts the Illinois Department of Transportation to review their procedures and put a concrete system in place to ensure the buses in our state are being repaired promptly.

Rep. Connelly joins Toys for Tots Christmas Drive

Naperville-State Rep. Michael Connelly (R-Lisle) has partnered with Toys for Tots to help fill a giant need this holiday.

“I recently saw a television report that said with the current state of our economy there is one of the largest needs ever for toy donations, but the number of donations coming in is way down,” said Connelly. “I knew I needed to help. No child should go without getting a Christmas present.”

The national trend of a toy shortage is no different for the Suburban Chicago Area.
The Toys for Tots program organized by the U.S. Marines is ran locally by GySgt. Kevin Stucker out of Joliet.

“I just visited our distribution center and we are seeing a huge shortage of toys for boys and girls ages 9 and up,” said Stucker. “We try to give toys to children up to age 15.”

In addition to donating toys himself, Rep. Connelly has volunteered his district office at 25W380 Chicago Ave. in Naperville as a toys drop off location.

“Our office is on a busy street where it is convenient for citizens to drop their gifts off on their way to work,’ said Connelly.

The office is open from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday and the last day to drop off toys will be Dec. 18. For more information you can call Rep. Connelly’s office or visit http://joliet-il.toysfortots.org.

Springfield… After months of negotiations between legislative leaders and reform groups, the Illinois House of Representatives today passed a campaign finance bill which does little to limit the influence of political parties and power brokers.

Despite Republican efforts to require meaningful campaign contribution caps, House Democrats pushed through a watered-down campaign finance bill that is short on reforms.

“It is disappointing that once again the legislature missed out on an opportunity to pass monumental campaign ethics reform,” said Rep. Connelly. “The loopholes in Senate Bill 1466 do nothing to change Springfield and actually end up giving the legislative leaders more power.”  Continue reading »

Naperville, IL…Take advantage of free vision screenings, learn more about identity theft or find out about community programs specifically designed for seniors at a Senior Fair hosted by State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) and State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville). The free Senior Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon on Monday, November 2 at the Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville. Continue reading »

Naperville … State Representative Michael Connelly today announced that DuPage County residents who meet priority group criteria can receive a flu shot to protect against the H1N1 influenza virus (otherwise known as the swine flu) from the DuPage County Health Department.

“With the unfortunate passing of a Naperville North student to swine flu, it’s important that parents take the necessary steps to make sure their children are protected,” said Rep. Connelly. “I’m happy that DuPage County has made it a priority to inoculate their residents and is providing this opportunity for them to receive the flu shot.”  Continue reading »

The public is urged to make their voices heard at a public hearing hosted by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to address a water rate increase request by Illinois American Water.

The for-profit water company is seeking to increase their annual revenue by approximately $61 million with $10.2 million in water revenue and $2.8 million in sewer revenue generated from the Chicago Metro District.

There has been an outpouring of opposition to the Illinois American Water’s proposed rate increase from taxpayers from across the area. Consumers should have their voices heard about decisions that will impact them, especially during our current daunting economic climate

The rate increases proposed have been suspended from taking effect pending a thorough review from the ICC. The public hearing will take place:

7 p.m., Wednesday, November 4
Wheaton Community Center – 2nd floor
1777 S. Blanchard Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 690-4880 Continue reading »

Naperville … State Representative Michael Connelly (R-Lisle) today announced the unanimous passage of House Bill 1526 which brings 800 new, well paying jobs to the Naperville-Lisle area. These new jobs will be the result of the consolidation of Navistar’s business operations into one facility.

“For too long, Illinois has been a net exporter of jobs. Today, my colleagues and I in the Illinois House have sent a message to the business community nationally that Illinois is open for business. These incentives are a first step to creating a positive business environment to foster job creation. In these trying economic times, today’s actions send a strong pro-business message,” said Rep. Connelly. Continue reading »