Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) released the following statement in response to Governor Quinn’s budget address.

“The Governor said a lot of the same things he has said in the past, but we have yet to see many of these ideas produce positive results, particularly with regard to our fiscal problems.

“We know that our Medicaid program is unsustainable and completely unaffordable in its current form.  We know that we have upwards of $8 billion in unpaid bills owed to schools, universities and other state vendors.  And we also know that we are going to have to make some very difficult choices when it comes to cutting the budget.  These are all issues which we are aware, but the Governor did not provide us with details of how he would like to address these topics.

“It is hard to look at his budget ideas with sincerity when you realize just how bad our fiscal problems have become.  When schools and universities are owed billions in back payments, you don’t propose increased spending on new programs.  It would be nice to hear real ideas that would act to solve some of these problems; instead, what we were given was a proposal that will only make our fiscal situation worse and does nothing to pay down our billions in accumulated debt.”

Governor Quinn is projecting to spend $33.7 billion in General Revenue Funds for Fiscal Year 2013.  He proposed to close 14 state facilities, including two prisons, six adult transition centers and two juvenile justice centers.  He has also proposed closing 16 state police telecommunications centers, 24 department of Human Service offices, and three Department of Children and Family Services offices.  The Governor failed to lay out a plan to begin paying back $8.5 billion in overdue bills owed to vendors, schools and other state entities, while proposing to increase state spending by around $500 million.

Springfield, IL… Governor Pat Quinn delivered his annual “State of the State” address on Wednesday, highlighting job creation as the key to solving Illinois’ fiscal problems.  State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling) said that he is glad to see the Governor focus on putting people back to work, but to be successful it will take more that just talk.

“It is good that he realizes the key to our significant financial problems lies in economic growth.  What will be even more important, however, is that his actions back up what he said in his speech today,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “Some of the policies put in place by this Governor and his predecessor have crippled our ability to attract new investments and good paying jobs.”

“Illinois is at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to attracting businesses.  We have a reputation as a high cost of doing business state and that is a result of our tax polices, our overly expensive workers’ compensation system, and an antiquated, costly permitting process.  These all need to be reformed to bring employers and jobs back to Illinois,” Mitchell reiterated.

Representative Mitchell said that he hopes to hear more specifics on the Governor’s ideas to address the state’s financial problems during his upcoming budget address.

“Governor Quinn didn’t talk a lot about our overall budget problems or the billions in unpaid bills owed by the state.  Given the recent report that said these unpaid bills will top $30 billion in five years, I would have liked to hear him at least address the topic and lay the groundwork for what he may propose during his budget address in a couple of weeks,” Mitchell said.

Rock Falls, IL…On Wednesday, State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) released the following statement after the sentencing of impeached former governor Rod Blagojevich.

“This is an important day for Illinois and all of the residents who suffered through Blagojevich’s six years of incompetent leadership.   His prison sentence should send a strong message to any and all politicians who think that public office is intended for their personal benefit and that government decisions can be bought and sold by those with deep pockets and political connections.

“I want to commend the prosecutors for their successful verdict and thank the judge, the jury, the numerous investigators and all those who spent a great deal of their time on this case.  Their actions close the book on a sad chapter of Illinois history and let us focus on bettering our state for the future.”

Former governor Blagojevich was arrested on December 9, 2008 for conspiracy, fraud, bribery and trying to sell an appointment to former U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s vacated seat.  The following month Blagojevich was impeached by the House and barred from holding public office in the state of Illinois.

In June of this year the former governor was convicted on 17 of 20 counts stemming from his corrupt activities as Illinois governor.  On Wednesday, Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) released the following statement on the recent decision to keep the Jack Mabley Developmental Center open.

“It was obvious from the beginning that closing Mabley was a terrible idea.  I’m pleased that the Governor decided to change his mind, but the initial announcement caused a great deal of concern and turmoil for a number of families.

“The agreement that was reached only ensures Mabley is funded for the remainder of the fiscal year.  Over the next couple of months we are going to work on a long term solution that will address budgetary concerns and allow Mabley to keep its’ doors open for the foreseeable future.

“This is a victory for the community, all the people who fought so hard for this facility over the past couple months, and especially for the families that count on the care Mabley provides.”

Early this year Governor Quinn proposed closing seven state facilities, including the Mabley Developmental Center.  The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability voted to recommend all of the facilities remain open and operating; however, that decision was only advisory.

On Monday night, Governor Quinn and lawmakers reached an agreement that will spare all seven facilities from closure for the remainder of the year.

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) passed legislation out of the Illinois House on Wednesday that will extend the Downtown Dixon TIF district and the Village of Lansing TIF district for an additional twelve years.

Tax increment financing districts (TIF) allow municipalities to pool property tax revenues from local units of government in order to support economic development projects in disadvantaged areas.  Dixon’s downtown TIF district was set to expire on December 31, 2011.

“TIF districts are often times one of the best tools that municipalities have at their disposal to spur economic development, attract new businesses and create jobs,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “We just saw our statewide unemployment rate rise to 10%, making it that much more important we ensure our towns and villages have all the available resources to capitalize on every opportunity to bring jobs to local communities.”

House Bill 507 passed the House on Wednesday and now awaits further consideration by the Senate.

Rock Falls, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) announced that the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) and the Department of Human Services will host a public hearing on Monday, October 17^th at 4:30 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theater to discuss the potential closure of Mabley Developmental Center.

Before any state facility can be closed a public hearing is required to be held by COGFA to discuss the potential impacts of such action.  COGFA members will hear testimony from a number of witnesses speaking to a variety of topics including local and regional economic impacts, the future care of patients, and individuals affected by the potential closure.  COGFA will listen to witness testimony and must issue an advisory opinion on the potential closure within 50 days.

Anyone wishing to address the commission or ask questions before the panel is urged to contact Representative Mitchell’s district office by phone at (815) 625-0820, by email at repjmitchell@comcast.net, or stop by the office located at 100 East 5^th Street in Rock Falls.

Illinois…House Republican Leader Tom Cross along with Representatives Rich Morthland and Jerry Mitchell on Monday held a press conference at the Kenneth Bush farm in Milan to unveil a blueprint to attract and keep good jobs in Illinois.

“The national economy is struggling, but Illinois’ economy is faring even worse,” said Cross (R-Oswego).  “All but one of our neighboring states has lower unemployment than Illinois.  Today, we are introducing a plan to make Illinois more attractive to all businesses from large manufacturers, to small business entrepreneurs to family farmers.” Continue reading »

Rock Falls, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) said that Governor Quinn’s proposal to close seven state facilities, included Mabley Development Center in Dixon, are more of the same, typical political threats that he has come to expect out of this administration.

“We have heard these same types of threats so many times before from this Governor.  It makes it very difficult to put credibility into anything he says regarding state finances given his past track record of using similar scare tactics,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “Today, Governor Quinn pulled a page directly from his predecessor Blagojevich’s playbook by targeting the most vulnerable with ill-advised threats simply to put pressure on lawmakers to give him more money.  That is not the leadership residents expect from the state’s chief executive.”

On Thursday, Governor Quinn announced proposed closures to seven state facilities.  The potential shuttering of the Mabley Development Center was included in Quinn’s list, along with two downstate correctional facilities and other developmental disability centers throughout the state.  Quinn said the closing of the facilities would result in over 1,900 layoffs with a possible savings of $47 million.

“It is important to realize that the Governor’s recommendations today are by no means the final say.  There is a very specific, defined process that must occur before any facility is closed and employees are laid off.  The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability must vote on the matter, a public hearing must be held and employees must be given proper notices before anything can commence.  This is a process that takes months, and as we have seen previously in Illinois, a lot of things change in that amount of time,” said Rep. Mitchell, who vowed to fight the proposed closure.

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) said that the education reform measure that passed the House on Thursday, and previously passed the Senate, will reaffirm the state’s commitment that “providing a quality education for the children of Illinois must be a top priority.”

“For years we have worked to better Illinois’ education system and put in place standards that will provide a solid foundation when our children enter the next phase of their lives,” said Rep. Mitchell.  “The legislation that passed the House today exemplifies what can be achieved when all sides work together to accomplish a goal.  In this case that goal was to improve our education system and ensure our children are being taught by the most qualified, capable teachers.”

Senate Bill 7, co-sponsored by Rep. Mitchell, will require layoffs to be based on performance evaluations and qualifications, instead of just seniority as is the current protocol.  The reform measure will allow schools to hire teachers based on who is most qualified to serve the district.  Performance evaluations will carry more influence with regard to granting teacher tenure as well. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Jerry Mitchell (R-Rock Falls) was honored with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise Award for his outstanding legislative record of supporting pro-job and pro-business policies in the General Assembly.  Rep. Mitchell received an over 90% rating on his pro-jobs, pro-growth votes during the previous General Assembly.

“If we are going to return Illinois to national economic leader we must create a positive business environment where our employers are not hampered with higher taxes and additional regulations.  It is imperative that we put in place policies that encourage growth and investment here in Illinois, and capitalize on the immense talent that is available within our state,” said Mitchell.

The Chamber’s ratings are based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation. The votes in the Senate and House are selected based on their impact on the business community and, to a lesser extent, the gap between opposing views on the issue. The votes are weighted accordingly.

“If employers are to change the culture in Springfield, they must educate themselves on the record of their representatives and hold them accountable for it,” explained Doug Whitley, the Chamber’s President and CEO. “We believe the Chamber’s legislative ratings are an effective tool in this endeavor, and legislators whose defense of free enterprise and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans deserve our recognition.  This award demonstrates that Representative Mitchell knows what it takes for employers to be successful.  He is working to address the number one problem in our state: creating more jobs.”