Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) criticized Governor Quinn’s budget address on Wednesday as a misguided attempt to force legislators to make a choice between two unpopular decisions; a tax increase or additional borrowing.

“I believe what Governor Quinn is trying to do today is incite panic amongst parents, teachers and education groups by threatening to decimate school funding,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “It is very similar to what he did last year by using this same type of threat against human services in order increase support for his unpopular income tax hike.  To say these are the only two remedies for our budget problems is disingenuous.”

Among the key components of Governor Quinn’s budget plan are borrowing to the tune of $4.7 billion, rolling over $6.3 billion in unpaid bills to the following year and a 1% tax increase. The Governor also outlined $2 billion in cuts. Elementary and secondary education programs would bear the brunt of reductions resulting in a 17% cut, or $1.2 billion. Healthcare services for seniors and the disabled would also see around $270 million in cuts under Quinn’s spending plan. Additionally, the Governor proposes to reduce state aid to local governments by 3% and short the state pension payment by $267 million.

“It is obvious that the budget is in terrible condition and will require tough cuts, but to single out children’s education disproportionately as compared to other areas of the budget is wrong,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “There are a number of nonessential budget items that need to be examined before any cuts of such a drastic nature are considered.” Continue reading »

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) was disappointed in a Wednesday vote by the House Vehicles and Safety Committee which put a halt to further debate on legislation requiring only a single license plate be attached to the rear of Illinois vehicles.

“I knew there would be some opposition to the proposal simply because the state police were not in favor of changing the current license plate requirements,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “However, I think the facts speak for themselves.  Nineteen other states don’t require front license plates, including our neighbors in Indiana who haven’t had front plates for over half a century.  In those states that only require a single plate; we didn’t see any significant differences in the crime rate.”

Representative Mitchell said he proposed the legislation as a cost saving maneuver during the difficult financial times.  “The state of Illinois would have seen savings of approximately $800,000 per year if this legislation were enacted,” said Mitchell.  “No matter which way you look at it $800,000 is a significant amount of money, and at this point in time every little bit helps.  I would certainly rather see changes like this put in place to save state dollars, than potential cuts which could significantly hamper our state police force.”

House Bill 4888 would require the Secretary of State to issue only a single license plate that would be attached to the rear of vehicles registered in Illinois.  The House Vehicles and Safety Committee defeated the measure with a vote of 4 to 2 against the legislation.

Springfield, IL…Thursday’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn a 2005 law which placed caps on non-economic medical malpractice damages will be costly to Illinois residents, according to State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls).

“There will be a dual cost to the citizens of Illinois because of this ruling,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “Not only will we see higher insurance premiums and reduced access to affordable health care, we will also see the most skilled physicians leave our state.”

In 2005 the Illinois General Assembly enacted medical malpractice reforms which included caps on pain and suffering, as well as other non-economic damages.  The caps, which set a limit of $500,000 per case for individual doctors and $1 million for hospitals, were effective in driving down medical malpractice insurance premiums and bringing doctors back to Illinois.

Before the 2005 medical malpractice reforms were in place, frivolous lawsuits forced many insurance companies to stop doing business in Illinois, thus making it nearly impossible for doctors and hospitals to obtain reasonably affordable medical liability insurance.  This subsequently led Illinois doctors to pursue practices in neighboring states, resulting in very limited options for those in need of high risk, special medical procedures.  Only two years after the caps were enacted, over 5,000 new doctors were licensed for practice in Illinois, with three new insurance companies offering cheaper coverage.

“The caps that were put in place have proven to be effective at containing costs and retaining Illinois physicians,” said Mitchell.  “The decision today is certainly a step backwards for Illinois families who depend on affordable and quality health care.”

Rock Falls, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) is proposing a change in state law that would require Illinois drivers to only have one license plate on the rear of their vehicle, as opposed to the current law requiring front and back plates.  Currently, 19 states, including neighboring Indiana and Kentucky, only require a single license plate attached to the rear of a vehicle.

“At a time when our state is facing a serious financial shortfall, every little bit helps,” said Rep. Mitchell referring to the approximate $800,000 in savings per year.  “I understand there are going to be those who disagree with the change, but I think it’s an idea that at least deserves discussion.  At this point, I think everything should be on the table.”

House Bill 4888 would require the Secretary of State to issue only a single license plate that would be attached to the rear of vehicles registered in Illinois. Continue reading »

Rock Falls, IL…A little known statute referred to as the Illinois Undervote Notification Law has raised numerous concerns across the state, ranging from voter privacy to election equipment malfunctions.  State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) is co-sponsoring legislation that will provide a simple solution to the flawed regulation; repeal the law.

“Back in 2007 when the Undervote Notification Law was passed, I think the intention was to ensure voters were aware that they didn’t cast a vote for one of Illinois’ constitutional offices.  However, many times these non-votes are intentional and the current process by which voters are notified of undervotes raises serious concerns with regards to a citizens right to a secret ballot.”

The Illinois Undervote Notification Law is designed to alert voters when they fail to cast a vote for one or more of Illinois’ constitutional offices, such as Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer or Comptroller.  However, a wide range of questions and concerns has emerged regarding the notification law, with a number of counties worried about jeopardizing voter privacy.  This is the first election we have had since the law was enacted with constitutional officers on the ballot, meaning the February 2^nd primary is the first election where the notification law will be in use.

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Springfield, IL…On Wednesday, State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) questioned the effectiveness of Governor’s Quinn’s State of the State address due to the lack of answers on Illinois’ most pressing issue; an estimated $13 billion budget deficit and over $6 billion in unpaid bills.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that the state of our state is in a dire condition,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “The residents and taxpayers of Illinois deserve straight forward answers and an open discussion on solutions to our record deficit.  Simply avoiding the tough choices and most controversial issues does nothing to solve the states’ financial problems that only seem to be getting worse.”

The Governor did speak about proposals aimed to improve ethics in state government, protect Illinois’ natural resources, rehabilitate our infrastructure, and reform the states’ educational system.  However, legislators remained disappointed in the lack of detailed solutions to the fiscal catastrophe facing Illinois.

“We continue to see unemployment rates on the rise, foreclosures remain high and bills are not being paid that provide basic services to our states’ most vulnerable residents,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “I was hoping we would see some real answers to these problems.  If the Governor is going to make cuts, where are those reductions going to come from?  If the Governor is going to raise revenue, what plan does he have in place to accomplish that?  These are all legitimate questions that deserve honest answers, and today we did not receive those answers.”

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls), a member of Illinois’ P-20 Council and Republican Spokesman for the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, stated that the changes proposed to the teacher and principal evaluation process were long overdue and will provide a much more responsive education system throughout the state.

“We have been trying to alter the process by which Illinois educators are evaluated for years.  The assessment procedure we have in place today hasn’t been changed since 1985 and is certainly in need of an overhaul,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “The legislation passed by the House on Tuesday will now take into account not only how students perform but also how much they have improved.”

Senate Bill 315, The Performance Evaluation and Reform Act, will put in place much more rigorous teacher and principal evaluation standards designed specifically to take into account a students educational growth.  Although not absolutely necessary to securing grant funds from the “Race to the Top” program, the newly adopted assessment standards will aid Illinois in capturing up to $400 million from the U.S. Department of Education.  “Race to the Top” is a federal initiative providing grants to state education institutions who are working to improve teacher and principal performance, assist low-performing schools, and drive innovation.

“I look at the Race to the Top funds as sort of a bonus for Illinois.  We are improving a process that desperately needed enhanced, while at the same time making ourselves more attractive to receiving federal education dollars,” said Rep. Mitchell. “Almost everyone will agree that our teacher and principal evaluation systems need reformed, and if Illinois is going to improve its educational success we must put a high value on linking student accomplishments to teacher achievement,” said Rep. Mitchell.

By State Rep. Jerry Mitchell

I want to congratulate the volunteers and staff at the Sauk Valley Food Bank for winning the 2009 Governor’s Cup. It’s a tremendous honor and accomplishment to receive this award, as hundreds of organizations throughout the state are evaluated before becoming eligible.

Every year, the Governor’s Home Town Awards recognize the dedication and effort of Illinois volunteers for accomplishments made toward improving their communities. This year, the 46 recipients of the Home Town Awards presented positive community efforts ranging from veterans projects to youth mentoring programs. Of the Home Town Award winners, the Sauk Valley Food Bank received the top honor for providing food to more than 100 pantries and thousands of hungry people.

Carol Seifken deserves a very grateful pat on the back for her ongoing dedication and repeated efforts toward ensuring needy families in the area are able to receive the necessary assistance during these trying times.

Carol’s ongoing commitment to those most in need began during a difficult economic period in 2001 when several area employers shut their doors.

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Rock Falls, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) joined fellow legislators, Governor Quinn and local students at Chicago’s Alain Locke Charter Academy for the signing of landmark legislation that will make Illinois a national leader in answering the President’s call to increase the number of charter schools in state educational systems.

“Today, the state of Illinois became a role model for the public charter school system throughout the nation,” said Representative Mitchell.  “I want to personally thank every teacher and school association in the state who dedicated a great deal of time and effort to craft this proposal.  Thanks to these groups Illinois students will have increased access to quality educational opportunities that provide them with a roadmap for a successful future.”

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By State Rep. Jerry Mitchell

As Illinois’ financial situation remains uncertain, my Republican colleagues and I continue to do what we can with the very little input we are presented.

Throughout the year, we have offered solutions and clearly stated our intention to compromise in order to find a responsible resolution that will keep state services financed at proper levels.

And, throughout the year, we have been repeatedly denied the opportunity by House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton of any such chance for our ideas to be heard.

Simply put, the speaker wants our votes but not our voice.

I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to solve the budget situation that has become Illinois’ ticking time bomb. We are all sick of the excuses and the political games that have threatened services for the state’s most vulnerable. Year after year, we find ourselves in the same horrible circumstances facing a government meltdown and drastic cuts to vital programs.

Gov. Pat Quinn, Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton have failed to provide the leadership needed to end this financial crisis. These are the three most powerful positions in state government, yet they cannot agree on any reasonable alternative to fund state services.

When Rod Blagojevich was governor, this state was sliding backward down a very steep and dangerous cliff. Now that he is gone, we seemed to have stopped the backward slide, but we are still not pulling ourselves up to level ground, and we are left hanging on that very same cliff.

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