A message from State Senator Karen McConnaughay:
Senator McConnaughay’s Legislative Update: December 21, 2015
Karen McConnaughay
Hard to believe Christmas is just four days away! We must continue to hope that the holiday season will bring all of our state legislative leaders and the Governor together to compromise on a balanced budget that will move Illinois forward to economic recovery.
This past week, Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders, with the exception of House Speaker Michael Madigan, continued negotiations regarding the state’s ongoing budget impasse. While a budget deal wasn’t reached, it was described as a “good” meeting.
The state received good news during the week regarding high school graduation rates and the overall health and well-being of its citizens. And, for those hitting the road or flying this holiday season, a record number of travelers and lower gas prices are expected.
I wish everyone happy preparation for the holidays. I will be sending out an update later this week with a list of new laws that will go into effect the first of the year and a personalized holiday greeting to all of you!
As always, I hope you will contact me or my office with questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit my legislative website at http://www.
Sincerely,
Karen McConnaughay, State Senator for the 33rd District
McConnaughay spotlights Village of Gilberts Volunteer Laura Britto
Senator McConnaughay spotlights Laura Britto, a 2015 Northern Kane County Chamber Community Service Award recipient from the Village of Gilberts, for all of her fundraising efforts in her local community.
Laura Britto contributes her time, talent and resources throughout the community of Gilberts. Laura has spent countless hours raising funds for charities dear to her. Laura took charge of the outdoor BBQ and games to raise funds for Special Olympics. She has also donated to participants in the Polar Plunge, another Special Olympics fundraiser.
“The Gilberts community is rooted in the principle of ‘neighbors helping neighbors,’” said Britto. “I am blessed to work at the Mobil Gas Station in Gilberts, which makes it financially possible for me to sponsor fundraisers in the community throughout the year.”
Mike Madigan
Madigan doesn’t attend latest budget meeting with legislative leaders, Gov. Rauner
House Speaker Madigan did not attend the latest budget meeting with legislative leaders and Gov. Rauner. The closed-door meeting took place in Chicago Dec. 17.
In a meeting that was described as “good,” the other three legislative leaders and the Governor also touched on public pension reform, workers’ compensation reform, redistricting reform, term limits for lawmakers, and the school funding formula.
Higher rate of Illinois high school students receiving their diplomas
Illinois schools are performing better than 30 other states when it comes to high school students receiving a diploma. A report from the U.S. Department of Education says Illinois ranks 20th in the country in its high school graduation rate at 86 percent. That’s four percentage points higher than the national average at 82 percent.
Report: Illinois’ health and well-being improving
Illinois is trending in the right direction when it comes to the overall health and well-being of the state’s citizens, compared to the rest of the country. The 2015 America’s Health Rankings report shows Illinois jumped two spots to 28th place.
The good news for Illinois, according to the report, is the state has seen a 30 percent decrease in violent crime over the last 10 years. The state’s infant mortality rate has also dropped considerably – 48 percent since 1990. In the past 10 years, premature deaths have decreased 13 percent as well.
AAA: Record number of holiday travelers and cheaper gas prices/airfares expected for travelers
This holiday season, 100.5 million Americans will take a trip 50 miles or more, according to AAA. It’s the first time AAA has projected at least 100 million travelers during the holiday season. The projection represents an increase of 1.4 percent over 2014, the seventh year in a row holiday travel increased.
AAA says 91 million Americans will drive to their destination during the holidays. Those drivers should anticipate the lowest New Year’s gas prices in seven years, with AAA reporting the national average price for a gallon of gas could fall below $2-per-gallon by Christmas.