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Rep. Tom Bennett's Weekly Update

Monday, July 27, 2015 - Posted 5:02:45 PM by State Rep Tom Bennett

Update from the Capitol 7/27/15

 

Court rulings on state employee payroll

As we head into our fifth week without a state budget (and no real progress toward an agreement) the issue of employee pay is continuing to wind its way through the courts.

 

In the wake of conflicting circuit court opinions, Comptroller Munger is issuing full paychecks this month, despite the lack of an approved budget.   Attorney General Madigan is appealing to the Supreme Court to attempt to stop her. 

 

In the latest move, the Supreme Court has denied Attorney Madigan's request for direct appeal.  In addition, the Cook County Court has lifted the temporary restraining order they put in place in support of Madigan's attempt to keep all employees from receiving full pay during the stalemate and returned the matter to the Circuit Court for evidentiary hearings.

 

Comptroller Munger says she will continue to pay employees in full.

 

Republicans try to stop legislative pay raise

 

As unbelievable as it would seem, while we languish through the summer without a budget to pay for vital services, Speaker Madigan and legislative Democrats are giving themselves a raise.

 

Under state law, the Compensation Review Board regularly recommends cost of living adjustment pay increases for members of the General Assembly and other state elected officials. Those pay raises go into effect automatically unless the General Assembly passes legislation to specifically reject them. House Republicans have introduced House Bill 4225 which will do just that. For weeks House Republicans have attempted repeatedly to adopt the bill to reject the pay raises, but have been blocked each time by the Speaker and House Democrats who refuse to allow the issue to even be debated.

 

This year's 2% pay raise recommendation for members of the House amounts to between $1,300 and $1,500 for most members of the House. 

 

I know that these are the types of issues that truly frustrate those we represent. They truly frustrate me too! Speaker Madigan and the Democrats say we need a tax increase because we don't have enough revenue to pay for necessary services…but apparently they think we do have enough money to give them a pay raise.

 

We will be facing many difficult budget decisions this summer, but this should be an easy one. Speaker Madigan needs to demonstrate some fiscal responsibility. He needs to immediately release HB 4225 from Rules so we can reject the pay raises and allocate those dollars where they can help our communities.

 

New law could prevent welfare benefits from going to the deceased

 

A new state law could bring an end to the practice of accidentally doling out welfare benefits to dead people. This is another head-scratcher. It's disappointing that we have to actually pass a law to prevent this from continuing.

 

Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Human Services will begin a monthly review of state death records to determine if any of the deceased are still receiving aid. The new program comes on the heels of two audits showing that millions of taxpayer dollars had been paid out to people who were no longer living.

 

In February, Auditor General William Holland found that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services last year paid out $3.7 million for medical services to 1,111 people who already had been recorded as dead. That came after Holland found the state had overpaid $12.3 million for medical care to 2,850 dead people in 2013. State officials blamed the problem on an antiquated computer system.

 

Ensuring local control of wind farm siting

 

Another bill I sponsored was signed into law last week – this one to ensure local control of wind farm siting and regulation.

 

Senate Bill 920 (now Public Act 99-0123) was initiated by residents of Vermilion County and the Vermilion County Prosecutor to clarify law and assert county and municipal authority to regulate wind farms when there is not an established zoning plan.

 

Although it as a common interpretation that the county and municipal governments have some level of regulatory authority over wind towers/farms outside their zoning divisions, it was not before specifically spelled out in state law.  This new law, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Jason Barickman, helps ensure local control over wind farm siting decisions.

 

Resolution calls on Congress to act quickly to protect military personnel at home

 

My colleague State Representative Barb Wheeler has filed a resolution to help protect our military personnel in the wake of the tragic attack on the Recruitment Center and Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. House Resolution 658 calls on the U.S. Congress to act swiftly to enact laws that allow military personnel to be armed for their protection in light of several terror attacks that have been carried out on U.S. military installations in recent years.

 

We expect our military personnel to be able to defend themselves while overseas, but today they also need to protect themselves at home.  I fully support this resolution and will work for its swift passage.

 

As always, you can contact me via webform athttp://www.repbennett.com/.