CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that would provide for the continuation of benefits to disabled, unmarried children of teachers who participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois. House Bill 5120 allows unmarried biological and adopted children, regardless of age, who have a physical or mental disability to be the beneficiary of a pension benefit, even if they are receiving public aid.
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that would provide for the continuation of benefits to disabled, unmarried children of teachers who participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois. House Bill 5120 allows unmarried biological and adopted children, regardless of age, who have a physical or mental disability to be the beneficiary of a pension benefit, even if they are receiving public aid.
08/20/2008
SPRINGFIELD– Today’s Senate action is consistent with the fundamental purpose of Senator Hendon’s bill to increase access to healthcare for young adults. Today the Senate did the right thing. With the Senate’s approval of my additions, the parents of the 300,000 young uninsured adults have one less thing to worry about. Now, parents of those young adults will have an option to give their children access to adequate healthcare. This also invites thousands of additional healthy young adults into insurance pools, which can have a positive benefit for everyone.
SPRINGFIELD– Today’s Senate action is consistent with the fundamental purpose of Senator Hendon’s bill to increase access to healthcare for young adults. Today the Senate did the right thing. With the Senate’s approval of my additions, the parents of the 300,000 young uninsured adults have one less thing to worry about. Now, parents of those young adults will have an option to give their children access to adequate healthcare. This also invites thousands of additional healthy young adults into insurance pools, which can have a positive benefit for everyone.
08/15/2008
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed five pieces of legislation to increase protections for Illinois children from convicted sex offenders. These new laws provide the public with important information about unaccounted for sex offenders and strengthen barriers keeping sex offenders away from children and their homes, schools and child care facilities.
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed five pieces of legislation to increase protections for Illinois children from convicted sex offenders. These new laws provide the public with important information about unaccounted for sex offenders and strengthen barriers keeping sex offenders away from children and their homes, schools and child care facilities.
08/11/2008
SPRINGFIELD – Joined by 200 veterans and their families at the Illinois State Fair Veterans’ Day, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to give a full property tax exemption to an estimated 16,000 Illinois veterans who have a service-connected disability of 50% or more. Because veterans with a severe service-connected disability, rated at 50 percent or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, may have an impaired ability to work or have lost their ability to work altogether, they may be living on fixed incomes and are more susceptible to the rising cost of consumer goods and changes in property taxes.
SPRINGFIELD – Joined by 200 veterans and their families at the Illinois State Fair Veterans’ Day, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to give a full property tax exemption to an estimated 16,000 Illinois veterans who have a service-connected disability of 50% or more. Because veterans with a severe service-connected disability, rated at 50 percent or higher by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, may have an impaired ability to work or have lost their ability to work altogether, they may be living on fixed incomes and are more susceptible to the rising cost of consumer goods and changes in property taxes.
08/06/2008
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called on the General Assembly to return to work on August 12 and August 13 to address increasing Illinois’ education funding and to pass a slimmed down $25 billion Illinois Works capital plan to invest in revitalizing our state’s roads, bridges, classrooms and communities. After weeks of working with the legislative leaders to negotiate a capital plan that eliminates expanding gaming as a revenue source, last week the Governor announced the new plan with former US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL).
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called on the General Assembly to return to work on August 12 and August 13 to address increasing Illinois’ education funding and to pass a slimmed down $25 billion Illinois Works capital plan to invest in revitalizing our state’s roads, bridges, classrooms and communities. After weeks of working with the legislative leaders to negotiate a capital plan that eliminates expanding gaming as a revenue source, last week the Governor announced the new plan with former US Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL).
08/06/2008
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today used his amendatory veto power to improve House Bill 5285 to provide parents with the option of keeping dependents on their health care insurance until their 26th birthday; parents with dependents who are veterans can keep them on their plans until their 30th birthday. Over 300,000 Illinoisans between the ages of 19-25 are uninsured – many of whom lack the means and opportunity to get affordable health insurance coverage. Being able to stay on their parents’ or guardians’ health plans will allow thousands of young adults to keep or get access to more affordable coverage, get regular checkups and receive preventable care.
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today used his amendatory veto power to improve House Bill 5285 to provide parents with the option of keeping dependents on their health care insurance until their 26th birthday; parents with dependents who are veterans can keep them on their plans until their 30th birthday. Over 300,000 Illinoisans between the ages of 19-25 are uninsured – many of whom lack the means and opportunity to get affordable health insurance coverage. Being able to stay on their parents’ or guardians’ health plans will allow thousands of young adults to keep or get access to more affordable coverage, get regular checkups and receive preventable care.
08/04/2008
Joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators, domestic violence prevention advocates and the family of domestic abuse victim Cindy Bischof, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims from their abusers. Senate Bill 2719, sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and State Representative Suzanne Bassi (R-Palatine), allows the courts to order an abuser to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of bail in instances when a order of protection has been violated. The legislation was sparked by the tragic event surrounding the death of Cindy Bischof whose ex-boyfriend was able to obtain a gun and shoot her in the parking lot of her real estate business, even after he had been arrested and prosecuted for violating a order of protection on two occasions.
Joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators, domestic violence prevention advocates and the family of domestic abuse victim Cindy Bischof, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims from their abusers. Senate Bill 2719, sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and State Representative Suzanne Bassi (R-Palatine), allows the courts to order an abuser to wear a GPS tracking device as a condition of bail in instances when a order of protection has been violated. The legislation was sparked by the tragic event surrounding the death of Cindy Bischof whose ex-boyfriend was able to obtain a gun and shoot her in the parking lot of her real estate business, even after he had been arrested and prosecuted for violating a order of protection on two occasions.
07/16/2008
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that will increase sentencing options for criminals who use minors to hold, conceal or utilize firearms to commit crimes. House Bill 4628 increases penalties for a person 18 years of age or older who sells or gives a concealable firearm to a person under 18 years of age (minor) or a minor who does not possess a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID).
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that will increase sentencing options for criminals who use minors to hold, conceal or utilize firearms to commit crimes. House Bill 4628 increases penalties for a person 18 years of age or older who sells or gives a concealable firearm to a person under 18 years of age (minor) or a minor who does not possess a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOID).
07/10/2008
SPRINGFIELD — Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today balanced the Fiscal Year 2009 budget after the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass new funding to support a spending plan that was over $2 billion out of balance. The Governor was forced to veto $1.4 billion in initiatives after the House of Representatives showed Wednesday that they did not intend to take any action on the deficit.
SPRINGFIELD — Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today balanced the Fiscal Year 2009 budget after the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass new funding to support a spending plan that was over $2 billion out of balance. The Governor was forced to veto $1.4 billion in initiatives after the House of Representatives showed Wednesday that they did not intend to take any action on the deficit.
07/03/2008
To protect consumers this holiday weekend, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that he is creating the Illinois Gas SWAT (State Wide Action Team) in the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
To protect consumers this holiday weekend, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that he is creating the Illinois Gas SWAT (State Wide Action Team) in the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The Illinois Gas SWAT will increase inspections and enforcement of gas stations to ensure motorists get both the quantity and quality of fuel they pay for this holiday weekend. Rigged pumps and diluted octane levels cheat customers when gas prices are already too high.
If you think you aren't getting the gas you are paying for, you can file a complaint at
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called on the General Assembly to return to Springfield on July 9 and July 10 to fix the $2 billion shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget passed by the General Assembly in May. Last week, the Governor urged the House to return on its own to pass revenue bills already passed by the Senate, but the House leadership has not taken any action.
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called on the General Assembly to return to Springfield on July 9 and July 10 to fix the $2 billion shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget passed by the General Assembly in May. Last week, the Governor urged the House to return on its own to pass revenue bills already passed by the Senate, but the House leadership has not taken any action.
06/26/2008
THURSDAY - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced Summer Youth Works, a program that provides young people from communities throughout Illinois summer employment. This summer, the program will provide summer jobs for up to 10,000 youth helping them to establish productive work habits while investing in their communities. The Summer Youth Works initiative will provide jobs focused on community service, community and highway beautification, job training programs and pre-professional training such as working with highway engineering firms.
"Summer jobs gave me the opportunity to work and be engaged in positive activities as a teenager. For some of our youth, having a summer job means earning money and providing real alternatives to gangs and violence," said Governor Blagojevich. "Programs like this mean a lot for communities that are suffering from crime and increased violence– communities that need our help. The time for help is now."
THURSDAY - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced Summer Youth Works, a program that provides young people from communities throughout Illinois summer employment. This summer, the program will provide summer jobs for up to 10,000 youth helping them to establish productive work habits while investing in their communities. The Summer Youth Works initiative will provide jobs focused on community service, community and highway beautification, job training programs and pre-professional training such as working with highway engineering firms.
"Summer jobs gave me the opportunity to work and be engaged in positive activities as a teenager. For some of our youth, having a summer job means earning money and providing real alternatives to gangs and violence," said Governor Blagojevich. "Programs like this mean a lot for communities that are suffering from crime and increased violence– communities that need our help. The time for help is now."
TUESDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the state is setting up a toll-free hotline to provide flood victims with easy access to information and assistance that can help them begin the recovery process. People affected by the flooding can reach the center at 1-866-848-2067 (866-214-4479 TTY) for information about available state assistance programs.
"People who have been forced from their homes by floodwaters need assistance right now," said Gov. Blagojevich. "Many of our state agencies and offices have information and programs that can help flood victims get on the road to recovery. The Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline will give them prompt, easy access to these services."
Also today, the Governor joined with the governors of Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin in a letter urging President Bush to increase to 90 percent the federal government’s share of federal disaster assistance for flooding in the five Midwestern states. If approved, the action would significantly ease the burden of recovery for state and local governments.
Call 1-866-848-2067 for information about available state flood assistance programs.
TUESDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the state is setting up a toll-free hotline to provide flood victims with easy access to information and assistance that can help them begin the recovery process. People affected by the flooding can reach the center at 1-866-848-2067 (866-214-4479 TTY) for information about available state assistance programs.
"People who have been forced from their homes by floodwaters need assistance right now," said Gov. Blagojevich. "Many of our state agencies and offices have information and programs that can help flood victims get on the road to recovery. The Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline will give them prompt, easy access to these services."
Also today, the Governor joined with the governors of Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin in a letter urging President Bush to increase to 90 percent the federal government’s share of federal disaster assistance for flooding in the five Midwestern states. If approved, the action would significantly ease the burden of recovery for state and local governments.
Call 1-866-848-2067 for information about available state flood assistance programs.
TUESDAY – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called upon the House of Representatives to pass revenues already approved by the Illinois Senate, warning that funding will be unavailable for $1.5 billion in spending if funding is not passed. Reductions would be required to close a $2 billion dollar shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget passed by the General Assembly in May.
"As I’ve said before, the budget sent to me fails to meet the Constitutional requirement that spending be matched by funding to pay for it, and it jeopardizes the State’s ability to meet core responsibilities like teaching our children, providing healthcare, and protecting the public," Gov. Blagojevich said. "Without new funding, the impact will be felt far and wide. It will mean the reduction of agriculture programs, mental health services, and healthcare services. It will mean the loss of jobs during a time when people are already struggling to make ends meet. That’s why I hope the House will do the responsible thing and pass additional revenue sources."
TUESDAY – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called upon the House of Representatives to pass revenues already approved by the Illinois Senate, warning that funding will be unavailable for $1.5 billion in spending if funding is not passed. Reductions would be required to close a $2 billion dollar shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget passed by the General Assembly in May.
"As I’ve said before, the budget sent to me fails to meet the Constitutional requirement that spending be matched by funding to pay for it, and it jeopardizes the State’s ability to meet core responsibilities like teaching our children, providing healthcare, and protecting the public," Gov. Blagojevich said. "Without new funding, the impact will be felt far and wide. It will mean the reduction of agriculture programs, mental health services, and healthcare services. It will mean the loss of jobs during a time when people are already struggling to make ends meet. That’s why I hope the House will do the responsible thing and pass additional revenue sources."
06/23/2008
MONDAY – In a push to provide immediate assistance to three Metro-East counties affected by recent flooding in Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that provides additional tools to Madison, Monroe and St. Clair Counties. SB 836 allows these three counties to pay for projects to be reimbursed when the newly authorized Flood Prevention Districts have been established.
"We are seeing the effects of what happens when levees break; homes, businesses, farmland, and people's livelihoods can be destroyed in just moments," said Gov. Blagojevich. "I am committed to doing everything I can to help the people of this area fight for their towns and livelihoods, both now and in the future. That’s why this bill, which sets the stage for repair of these levees and further preparation, is so important."
MONDAY – In a push to provide immediate assistance to three Metro-East counties affected by recent flooding in Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation that provides additional tools to Madison, Monroe and St. Clair Counties. SB 836 allows these three counties to pay for projects to be reimbursed when the newly authorized Flood Prevention Districts have been established.
"We are seeing the effects of what happens when levees break; homes, businesses, farmland, and people's livelihoods can be destroyed in just moments," said Gov. Blagojevich. "I am committed to doing everything I can to help the people of this area fight for their towns and livelihoods, both now and in the future. That’s why this bill, which sets the stage for repair of these levees and further preparation, is so important."
FRIDAY – During his third visit in a week to flooded sites along the Mississippi River in western Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that he is asking President Bush to speed aid to people and communities devastated by flooding in more than 20 Illinois counties.
"I've seen firsthand the growing magnitude of this flooding disaster, and unfortunately the end is not yet in sight," said Gov. Blagojevich. "There is no doubt in my mind that federal assistance is a necessity to help people get back on their feet and start the road to recovery. We also urgently need federal assistance to help communities up and down the Mississippi River and elsewhere in the state recover from the staggering cost of this flood fight and the massive cleanup work still to come. I urge President Bush to quickly approve my request so the recovery process can begin."
FRIDAY – During his third visit in a week to flooded sites along the Mississippi River in western Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that he is asking President Bush to speed aid to people and communities devastated by flooding in more than 20 Illinois counties.
"I've seen firsthand the growing magnitude of this flooding disaster, and unfortunately the end is not yet in sight," said Gov. Blagojevich. "There is no doubt in my mind that federal assistance is a necessity to help people get back on their feet and start the road to recovery. We also urgently need federal assistance to help communities up and down the Mississippi River and elsewhere in the state recover from the staggering cost of this flood fight and the massive cleanup work still to come. I urge President Bush to quickly approve my request so the recovery process can begin."
THURSDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today added St. Clair and Edgar counties to a state disaster declaration, a move that will expedite state assistance needed to help Edgar County in southeastern Illinois recover from recent storms and flash flooding and St. Clair County battle flooding along the Mississippi River.
“We are continuing to provide help to people battling flood waters along the Mississippi River and flood ravaged areas in other parts of the state,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “We will work around the clock to ensure communities get the help they need during this critical time.”
THURSDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today added St. Clair and Edgar counties to a state disaster declaration, a move that will expedite state assistance needed to help Edgar County in southeastern Illinois recover from recent storms and flash flooding and St. Clair County battle flooding along the Mississippi River.
“We are continuing to provide help to people battling flood waters along the Mississippi River and flood ravaged areas in other parts of the state,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “We will work around the clock to ensure communities get the help they need during this critical time.”
WEDNESDAY - Today Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich visited the Quincy area to tour flooding along the Mississippi River, after two additional levees broke early this morning. The Lima Lake levee in Adams County broke around 1:30 this morning, followed by the Indian Grave levee at approximately 6:30.
WEDNESDAY - Today Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich visited the Quincy area to tour flooding along the Mississippi River, after two additional levees broke early this morning. The Lima Lake levee in Adams County broke around 1:30 this morning, followed by the Indian Grave levee at approximately 6:30.
"Our priority remains protecting residents along the Mississippi River. We are not only providing help for communities affected by flood waters in areas where levees have broken, but we are also planning for the possibility that more areas could be affected," said Gov. Blagojevich.
TUESDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today added Knox and Madison counties to a state disaster declaration to help those areas respond to flooding issues along the Mississippi River. Since Wednesday, the Governor has declared 19 counties state disaster areas.
"We continue to plan for all possible situations as flood waters continue to threaten communities along the Mississippi River. We are mobilizing resources, not only to shore up levees to protect lives, homes, roads and critical infrastructures, but also to prepare for all contingencies should flood waters break through," said Gov. Blagojevich. "We are working around the clock to protect residents and the communities they live in and to make sure they have the resources they need during this critical time."
TUESDAY – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today added Knox and Madison counties to a state disaster declaration to help those areas respond to flooding issues along the Mississippi River. Since Wednesday, the Governor has declared 19 counties state disaster areas.
"We continue to plan for all possible situations as flood waters continue to threaten communities along the Mississippi River. We are mobilizing resources, not only to shore up levees to protect lives, homes, roads and critical infrastructures, but also to prepare for all contingencies should flood waters break through," said Gov. Blagojevich. "We are working around the clock to protect residents and the communities they live in and to make sure they have the resources they need during this critical time."
