May 6, 2010

                             
In response to the escalation of violence in Chicago, Sen. Dillard has co-sponsored legislation introduced by State Sen. James Meeks (D-Calumet City) to establish an anonymous 1-800 number that students, teachers or parents can call to help prevent violence in Chicago Public Schools.

“One of the most effective ways to prevent violence is to set up a hotline that people can call if they see or hear of a situation that they believe could lead to violence,” Dillard said. “In the 1990s, following the incident in Columbine, Colorado, I sponsored Illinois’ ‘Safe to Learn Act’ on behalf of former Attorney General Jim Ryan. That measure established a school violence tipline that has worked well, and has prevented many serious incidents in Illinois schools.”

House Bill 4647 requires the Chicago Board of Education to consult with the Chicago Police Department to establish the CPS Violence Prevention Hotline. The hotline would be established to specifically handle anonymous callers who wish to report incidents of possible violence in Chicago public schools. The intent is to prevent the violence from beginning or escalating to the point where someone gets hurt or killed.

Dillard said that calls made to the hotline will be answered by the Chicago Police Department, who will record the call and investigate the claim.

Dillard reminded students, parents or teachers who are not affiliated with the Chicago Public School system that they can always call the already-established School Violence Tipline to report threats of violence or weapon violations on school grounds. The School Violence Tipline is answered by trained Illinois State Police workers, who will refer the reports to the appropriate local law enforcement agencies.

The legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate on May 6.
 

May 5, 2010

The state could save billions of dollars annually if legislation sponsored by Sen. Dillard and Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Westmont) to examine the state’s Medicaid program, is signed into law.

House Bill 5242 authorizes the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) to contract with a third party to conduct a Payment Recapture Audit of the state’s Medicaid program. The goal is to identify inefficiencies in the program, and spot payments made in error or as a result of fraud or abuse. A similar audit was initiated by President Obama at the federal level.

“This legislation may be the most substantial budget-saving measure of the entire session,” said Dillard. “The New York Times has conducted studies which show that Medicaid spending may be as much as 10 percent fraud—in Illinois that’s $1.3 billion in savings annually.”

Bellock, the House of Representatives’ leading expert on Medicaid issues, said that the legislation is indeed the most important legislation of the session.

“This legislation will definitely cut out abuse and waste in the Medicaid system,” Bellock said. “This is a great opportunity for real reform in the Medicaid system and I’m pleased it received so much bipartisan support.”

May 5, 2010

Politicos caught twisting arms for kickbacks will have their ill-gotten gains confiscated if convicted on certain criminal corruption charges, under legislation sponsored by Sen. Dillard.

“As former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial approaches, I want to send the message that corruption in Illinois will not be taken lightly,” Dillard said. “If a public official is found guilty of corruption there should be serious penalties--at the very least these individuals shouldn’t be able to benefit financially from their crimes.”

Dillard said Senate Bill 2551 creates a public corruption profit forfeiture provision that would require automatic forfeiture of all political contributions held by a political committee or organization controlled by someone convicted of certain criminal violations. These violations include intimidation by a public official; bribery involving a public officer of public employee; and providing, soliciting or accepting kickbacks in connection with public contracting.

Senate Bill 2551 has passed both houses and now advances to the Governor’s desk.

May4, 2010

The Naperville area could reap the benefit of a new “green” technology that Sen. Dillard says would save the community money, cut greenhouse emissions and create an economic boon.

“This project will save money by reducing the cost of removing the waste and it will diminish harmful emissions, but most importantly this will be a great economic benefit to the Naperville area,” said Dillard. “This community has always encouraged innovation and we’ve been lucky enough to have cutting-edge companies and residents live and work here. This is another development that will benefit our area by drawing more business and creating good-paying jobs.”

Legislation (HB 5147) sponsored by Dillard, and recently approved by the Illinois General Assembly, authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a thermochemical conversion technology demonstration permit.

The permit authorizes Packer Engineering Inc. to proceed with the development of “gasifer” technology that Dillard explained would enable Naperville to take its biomass, such as mulch and yard waste, and convert it into alternative energy.

The technology being advanced by Packer Engineering Inc. could convert biomass into ethanol, electricity for plug-in vehicles, or into hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles. The current plan is for the city of Naperville to use the alternative energy to fuel its fleet.

Peter Schubert, Senior Director of Research and Development at Packer Engineering Inc. says the invention can save municipalities money, and promote growth.

“House Bill 5147 recognizes advances in technology for converting biomass to vehicle fuel, paving the way to creating jobs and new industries in Illinois,” said Schubert, who explained that the gasifer is a first of its kind demonstration of a municipality-based biomass-to-fuel system. “This saves money twice for the city, by avoiding hauling charges for biomass, and by reducing the spending on petroleum-based fuels; our carbon footprint is also reduced, and America’s energy imports drop as well.”

Having been approved by the General Assembly, House Bill 5147 advances to the Governor’s desk for consideration.