March 10, 2010
                                                                                                                                            
The Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal is unbalanced, irresponsible and unconstitutional said Sen. Dillard.

Dillard, who has voted against five of the last six state budgets, said that Illinois’ current budget deficit clearly shows how the Democrat majority’s fiscal mismanagement has driven Illinois’ finances into the ground; however, he said this may be the most irresponsible budget he’s seen submitted.

“Clearly the Democrats are borrowing and spending Illinois into bankruptcy,” said Sen. Dillard. “Quinn’s budget proposes spending that is almost $5 billion more than what the state’s revenues are estimated to be, meaning Gov. Quinn’s budget proposal is almost $5 billion out of balance. Aside from being completely negligent, that is a violation of the state’s constitution.”

Dillard pointed to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution that says, “The Governor shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly, at the time prescribed by law, a State budget for the ensuing fiscal year.” It also says, “Proposed expenditures shall not exceed funds estimated to be available for the fiscal year as shown in the budget.”

Quinn has repeatedly called for a tax increase, and during his budget address called for a 1 percent income tax surcharge for education. That is a $3 billion tax hike. Dillard said that it is likely Quinn plans to defer an even larger tax increase until the conclusion of the November election.

“Hiding in the shadows is a plan for a major tax hike next January. In the meantime, the Governor and the Democrat majority will keep digging the hole deeper and deeper,” Dillard said.
 

March 5, 2010

Legislative committees met continuously during the week as Senate lawmakers attempted to move all Senate bills out of committee by the scheduled March 5 deadline.

The Senate Executive Committee considered legislation that would require a photo of any prisoner who received early release to be posted online, while additional measures would increase the speed limit for cars and trucks to 70 mph on rural interstates and allow $300 million in short-term borrowing for health care providers.

Following reported problems and abuses related to Gov. Pat Quinn’s “MGT Push” inmate early release program, Senate Bill 3411 was introduced to make public identifying information and a photograph of any inmate who is released earlier than was delineated in their initial sentence. The information would not only include the inmate’s name and age, but also his or her physical attributes, address, the offense that was committed and the county where the conviction took place.

Only months after a 2009 law went into effect allowing big trucks to travel 65 miles per hour on certain Illinois interstates, a measure has been introduced to increase the state speed limit to 70 mph for both cars and big rigs on interstates outside of heavily populated areas, like Chicago or collar counties and other urban areas.

March 4, 2010

On March 3, Sen. Dillard met with former professional hockey player Stan Mikita. The hockey legend and Hall of Famer played for the Chicago Blackhawks throughout his entire career. In 1961 he and his fellow Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.

Mikita traveled to Springfield to meet with lawmakers and attend a cable industry reception.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students with diabetes are safe in school, and have the same access to academic opportunities as other children, State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) has sponsored legislation to protect and provide commonsense care for diabetic children.

“Unfortunately, there is no standard policy outlining how Illinois schools should care for diabetic students. This creates a problem for parents who often have to go to school during the day to ensure their child is receiving the medical treatment and attention they need. It’s also dangerous for the student, negatively impacts their classroom experience, and creates uncertainty for administrators and educators, who often have little or no experience in dealing with diabetes,” Dillard explained.

Senate Bill 3822 would allow a parent with a diabetic child to submit a diabetes care plan to a public, private or charter school. The plan would include reasonable requests for services and accommodations, must reflect the current standard of diabetic care, and include appropriate safeguards to ensure diabetic equipment is disposed of properly.