Join Neill Mohammad in Rockford December 27th!

From the Neill Mohammad for Congress Campaign...

Join Neill Mohammad, a Democratic primary candidate in Illinois' 16th Congressional, at Five Forks Market on December 27th from 5-7 PM to celebrate the end of a great year and even more exciting 2018 ahead! 

Check out the Facebook event and the attached flyer for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2098022693759839/

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Events - 12/20 - Daniel Biss in Freeport, 12/21 - Politics Over Pizza with Litesa Wallace in Rockford

Biss/Wallace Events

Events - 12/20 - Daniel Biss in Freeport, 12/21 - Politics Over Pizza with Litesa Wallace in Rockford

Meet and Greet with Daniel Biss in Freeport

Come and meet Daniel in Freeport! There will be a short presentation followed by question and answers. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Facility is handicap accessible.
Contact 815-601-4551 for information or questions.
Time: Wednesday, December 20 - 6:30pm-8pm
Location: St. John United Church of Christ - 1010 S. Park Boulevard, Freeport, IL 61032

RSVP and details at the website here

Baking for Biss Cookie Exchange
Prior to the Meet & Greet in Freeport at 4:30pm
Admission is 4 dozen cookies plus $10 or No time to bake? Make a $30 donation and you'll still take home 48 cookies!

Further details at the Facebook event here.

Politics Over Pizza with Litesa Wallace in Rockford

Let's get together to discuss politics. The goal is to have meaningful, free flowing conversation about local, state, and federal politics. Conversations will be facilitated by State Rep. and candidate for Lt. Governor Litesa Wallace but attendees voices will guide the conversation.
Lets co-learn together!

Time: Thursday, December 21 - 6pm-8pm
Location: Biss for Illinois Rockford Field Office - 309 Mulberry Street, Rockford, IL 61101

RSVP and details at the website here.

Questions on anything related to the campaign, contact Elizabeth Lindquist - Biss for Illinois Community Coordinator 815-543-6666

Happy Holidays to all!

Best~

Elizabeth

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Elizabeth Lindquist

Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin -- December 19, 2017

Two Stadelman-inspired laws make Top 10 list

State Senator Steve Stadelman passed two of the 10 new state laws deemed most important for 2018. The measures introduced by Stadelman empower victims of domestic violence and protect freedom of speech for Illinois consumers.

Senate Bill 1898 allows consumers to post unflattering online reviews of products and services without being subject to threats of lawsuits or financial penalties. Under the "Right to Yelp" law, "non-disparagement clauses" in sales contracts, which  forbid consumers from offering negative feedback about retailers, are now prohibited.

Stadelman, a former TV journalist, introduced the legislation to protect the right of consumers to voice their opinions, an increasingly powerful tool with the rise of internet review sites like Yelp. Illinois is one of few states to provide this consumer protection.

Senate Bill 57 gives victims of domestic violence the ability to leave abusive relationships without giving up their cell phone plans.

When petitioning the court for an order of protection, abuse victims now can ask a judge for the right to continue use of a phone number. If granted, wireless providers would be required to allow victims to separate their cellular accounts from their abusers. The law removes a financial obstacle for victims without the money to start a new phone plan and allows them to more easily find housing and employment because they can keep contacts, emails other digitally stored data.

More than 200 new laws take effect Jan. 1; many refine and update existing laws to reflect changing times and needs.

• Review the full Top 10 list
  
  

Initiative to curb 'doctor shopping' signed into law

A measure supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman to reduce opioid abuse will become state law on Jan. 1.

Before prescribing a controlled substance, doctors will be required to check the Prescription Monitoring Program database to see if a patient previously was written a prescription for the drug by another doctor. The goal is to make it more difficult for people to obtain prescriptions from multiple physicians, a practice known as doctor shopping. In 2015, Illinois began requiring pharmacies to file daily reports of all controlled substances they dispense. Until now, however, physicians weren't required to check the monitoring database before writing prescriptions.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 772 last week in East St. Louis.

·         Sign up: Get updates about efforts to reduce opioid abuse in Illinois

Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - December 5, 2017

Stadelman signs appeal to Congress to save historic tax credits State Senator Steve Stadelman joined a bipartisan plea to the U.S. House of Representatives to retain the Federal Historic Tax Credit, which has helped create $3.5  billion in development and 45,000 jobs in Illinois since 2012. "Rehabilitation projects across our state could be at risk if the FHTC is eliminated," states a letter from the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the Illinois Historic Preservation Caucus and signed by lawmakers including Stadelman. "The FHTC ... is a proven economic development tool and a local jobs creator. " The letter to Illinois' delegation on Capitol Hill cites eight Rockford projects at risk if Congress cuts FHTC including conversion of the vacant Amerock building into a riverfront hotel, indoor expansion of the popular outdoor City Market and redevelopment of the abandoned Barber Coleman industrial complex on South Main Street.  Loss of the federal program also jeopardizes the state's River Edge Historic Tax Credit, which Stadelman successfully fought this year to extend through 2022. State law that requires pairing  River Edge with FHTC would have to be amended, and Illinois "likely would not be able to make up the difference of lost credits at the federal level," according to the letter issued last month.  U.S. House members later approved a tax reform bill that included an elimination of FHTC; on Saturday, the Senate passed its own version. Now the two overhaul plans must be reconciled in committee and returned to each chamber for final votes before the end of the year. State Senators: Time to stop using flawed Crosscheck system The state's Board of Elections no longer would be allowed to share sensitive voter information with a controversial voter registration system under a new measure introduced in the Illinois Senate. Senate Bill 2273 would prohibit the state from sharing any voter information with any interstate voter registration program other than the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). In doing so, the state's participation in the controversial Interstate Voter Registration Data Crosscheck Program would be halted. Crosscheck, which was pioneered by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, is seen by many as nothing more than an attempt to keep minorities from voting.  State Senator Steve Stadelman said he shares the concerns of the bill's sponsors regarding racial bias and the susceptibility to hackers of voters personal information.  In the news CBS Chicago: Democratic lawmakers push for bill to stop Crosscheck system U.S. News & World Report: Democrats unveil plan to remove Illinois from voter database

Memorial for fallen military personnel dedicated at Capitol A memorial remembering fallen soldiers and their families was recently dedicated at the Illinois State Capitol. The memorial is sponsored by America's Gold Star Families, an organization that helps the families of fallen servicemen and women. The Tree of Honor, located just east of the rotunda, is adorned with ornaments bearing names and pictures of members of the military from every branch who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The tree was decorated by military families with ornaments commemorating fallen soldiers from every conflict all the way back to the Civil War. It will remain up at the capitol through the holiday season.

Mike Frerichs, State Treasurer and Susana Mendoza, Comptroller Say "Thanks!"

Dear Friend,  Yesterday, I filed my petitions to seek re-election as Illinois State Treasurer. Comptroller Susana Mendoza and I worked together to make sure we have strong fiscal watchdogs in our state. We filed the maximum 10,000 signatures and collected over 20,000 from across the state with the help of volunteers, local elected officials, friends in labor, and Democratic County organizations.         Serving as your State Treasurer is an honor. Together, we have made saving for college more affordable for Illinois families, took on the life insurance lobby to pass the Illinois Life Insurance Reform Act to get beneficiaries the money they are owed, and brought 15 states together in an Illinois-led coalition to create the ABLE program allowing families to save for their child with a blindness or disability without risking their disability benefits. I look forward to another opportunity to be the State Treasurer of Illinois to continue our work to protect consumers, bring more job opportunities to the state, and help improve the lives of working families across Illinois. I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who spent countless hours passing petitions to give us this opportunity. Thank you,

 

 

 

JB Pritzker Releases Veterans Plan

Chicago, IL – Ahead of Veterans Day, JB Pritzker outlined his plan to fight for Illinois veterans and their families as governor. JB's four-point plan details how the state can support our veterans with housing, employment, healthcare, education, and additional services they may need. As governor, JB will:

• Increase opportunities for education and employment for veterans and their families

• Ensure Illinois veterans of all ages have safe, stable, and affordable housing options

• Improve healthcare options for veterans across the state

• Better manage and coordinate veteran's services

 

Read the full plan HERE.

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Biss for Illinois - 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 12th Day of Action

Here in Rockford we are fortunate to have our own Rep. Litesa Wallace running for Lt. Governor and you can help in the last push to get her and Daniel Biss on the ballot!

Sunday we're having one of our biggest statewide events yet -- a Day of Action with hundreds of volunteers around Illinois.

Sunday's Day of Action is our last chance to finish strong before the petition collection deadline. Join us at the Rockford Field Office. (If you haven't seen the office, you need to  -- it's fabulous!)

What: Statewide Day of Action in Rockford

When: Sunday, November 12ᵗʰ
2:00 pm CST

Where: Biss for Illinois Rockford Field Office
309 Mulberry Street
Rockford, IL 61101

RSVP here: https://action.danielbiss.com/page/event/detail/wqw

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Mike Frerichs – They said it couldn't be done...

Dear Friend,  When I began the fight to make sure that grieving family members received the death benefits that their loved ones wanted them to have, I heard many things. I heard that we were wasting our time. I heard that the fight was too tough. The insurance industry was too strong. Yesterday, we proved them wrong.  Yesterday, the Illinois Senate voted to override the Governor's veto of our Life Insurance Reform Act. The House had voted to override in the first week of veto session.  Governor Rauner had put the profits of greedy life insurance companies over the needs of grieving families. We didn't allow that to stand.  Because of your advocacy last Spring, we were able to pass a bill that requires life insurance companies to compare electronic records of policies in force since 2000 with the Social Security Administration's Death Master File (DMF) to determine if policies should have been paid to families. In just a 4 year period, an outside auditor hired by the Treasurer's Office identified more than $550 million held by life insurance companies that should be have been paid to loved ones in Illinois.  That was unacceptable. With your help, we defeated the Governor and the Life Insurance industry.  Thank you for your help in this fight.    Read News-Gazette's coverage of Veto Override of HB302.  Read the Peoria Journal Star's Editorial.  Read the Dispatch-Argus's Editorial. Now, on to the next battle!

Senate Democratic Caucus Events: Fall 2017

Hello everyone! Here is a list of our upcoming events.  Wednesday, November 15, 5:00-7:00 pm Senator Melinda Bush The Vine, 101 Center St, Grayslake, IL 60030 Tickets: $35 Sponsorships: $100 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 Please make checks payable to: Friends of Melinda Bush, 240 N. Lake St, Grayslake, IL 60030 RSVP: Kelly@ilsenatedems.org   Thursday, November 21 - 5:00pm-7:00pm Senator Patricia Van Pelt The Law Offices of Leinenweber Baroni & Daffada 120 N. LaSalle St., Ste 2000, Chicago, IL Individual Ticket $300 Sponsorship Gold $2,500| Silver 1,000| Bronze $500 Please make check payable to: Friends of Patricia Van Pelt, 2826 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60612 RSVP:Roslyn@ilsenatedems.org or (708)369-0293   Wednesday, November 29 Fall Fundraiser with Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy Peckish Pig, 623 Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202 Tickets: $50 Sponsorships: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 Please make check(s) payable to one or both committees: Friends of Heather Steans, 50 E Washington, Ste 400, Chicago, IL 60602 Citizens for Cassidy, P.O. Box 408061, Chicago, IL 60640 RSVP: Kelly@ilsenatedems.org   Monday, December 18, 5:30-7:00 pm -- Just added Senators Tom Cullerton and Julie Morrison Holiday Party Hubbard Inn, 110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL Tickets: $100 Sponsorships: $250 | $500 | $1,000 | $2,500 Please make check(s) payable to one or each committee: Friends of Tom Cullerton, P.O. Box 7304, Villa Park, IL 60181 Julie Morrison for State Senate, P.O. Box 646, Deerfield, IL 60015 RSVP: Kelly@ilsenatedems.org                      Questions? Email Lexie@ilsenatedems.org.

Reception for Sara Dady for Congress - Thursday, November 9

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Reception for Sara Dady for Congress

Thursday November 9^th, 6pm
200 S Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61108
Appetizers and cash bar
(Tickets start at $50)

 

Sara now has less than 5 months to get her message out to voters before the primary in March. I hope you can come out and show your support so that we can continue to share Sara's vision for making our district a better place for all of us.

Daniel and Litesa Respond to Failed HB3216 Override Vote

Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace released the following statement

 as the House failed to override Bruce Rauner's veto of HB3216.

"As Bruce Rauner lurches from crisis to crisis, tearing down public resources to promote a right-wing privatization agenda, working families like mine pay the price," said Litesa Wallace."It's not sustainable, and it's not right—that's why I introduced this common-sense step towards fiscal responsibility, and why Daniel and I are doing all we can to make Rauner's first term his last."

Read the full article here...

News from Senator Stadelman - Veterans can get "quick certification" for special driver's licenses

For Immediate Release

November 3, 2017

Veterans can get "quick certification" for special driver's licenses at Stadelman event

ROCKFORD -- Military veterans who wish to obtain Illinois driver's licenses that note their service in the armed forces may obtain the necessary paperwork at a Veterans Day event offered by State Senator Steve Stadelman and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Coffee and donuts are being served at the Veterans Day Quick Certification from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, in the Zeke Giorgi Center Lobby, 200 S. Wyman St.

To receive a driver's license with "VETERAN" appearing below the signature line, veterans must present official certification of their military status when renewing their license or applying for a state ID. Under legislation passed by Stadelman in 2015, veterans who present a driver's license with the designation qualify for discounts on purchases at participating businesses. The designation is also available on state identifications cards.

"Veterans can avoid the delay of a mail application or a trip to the Illinois National Guard Armory in Machesney Park," Stadelman said. "Providing this convenience is a small way to honor vets, especially those who live in or near downtown Rockford and tend to have a harder time accessing services."

Two state Veteran Service Officers, Matthew Taylor and Jessica Parker, will certify proper documentation of military service -- DD Form 214 or NA Form 13038. Veterans, especially reservists who need additional paperwork, are advised to review documentation requirements online at www.Illinois.gov/veterans before attending the event or call 815-633-8945. Assistance in obtaining necessary paperwork for certification also will be available on site. 

Mark Bonne

Chief of Staff, Illinois Senator Steve Stadelman

815-987-7557

Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Suite 301, Rockford, IL 61101

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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - November 3, 2017

Veterans can get "quick certification" for special driver's licenses at Stadelman event

Military veterans who wish to obtain Illinois driver's licenses that note their service in the armed forces may obtain the necessary paperwork at a Veterans Day event offered by State Senator Steve Stadelman and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Coffee and donuts are being served at the Veterans Day Quick Certification from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, in the Zeke Giorgi Center Lobby, 200 S. Wyman St.

To receive a driver's license with "VETERAN" appearing below the signature line, veterans must present official certification of their military status when renewing their license or applying for a state ID. Under legislation passed by Stadelman in 2015, veterans who present a driver's license with the designation qualify for discounts on purchases at participating businesses. The designation is also available on state identifications cards.

"Veterans can avoid the delay of a mail application or a trip to the Illinois National Guard Armory in Machesney Park," Stadelman said. "Providing this convenience is a small way to honor vets, especially those who live in or near downtown Rockford and tend to have a harder time accessing services."

Two state Veteran Service Officers, Matthew Taylor and Jessica Parker, will certify proper documentation of military service -- DD Form 214 or NA Form 13038. Veterans, especially reservists who need additional paperwork, are advised to review documentation requirements online at www.Illinois.gov/veterans b efore attending the event, although assistance in obtaining necessary paperwork will be available on site.

Senate reaffirms support for students, workers

The Illinois Senate rejected several gubernatorial vetoes last week, reaffirming their support for college students, collective bargaining and entrepreneurs.

Senator Steve Stadelman voted in favor of all three overrides:

• Collective Bargaining Freedom Act to protects worker rights by blocking Gov. Bruce Rauner's campaign to create municipal right-to-work zones that favor corporate profits over worker interests.
   
• The entrepreneur learner's permit program, a pilot initiative to encourage business growth by reimbursing first-time business owners in information services, biotechnology and green technology for some costs of state licensing and permits. In an amendatory veto, the governor removed a spending cap and expanded the program to all industries, which Stadelman and others believe would turn a smart business development into a potentially wasteful program.
  
  
• Student Loan Bill of Rights , a measure that will help to protect college students from predatory lenders when they borrow money to pay for their education.
  

The Senate returns to Springfield  next week  for the second half of the fall veto session.

Citizens Utility Board advises TV consumers on viewing options in the Internet Age

Pay-TV consumers received tips for making their cable bills more affordable and learned the pros and cons of market alternatives like satellite and web streaming at a free presentation led by an expert from the Citizens Utility Board. Senator Steve Stadelman invites CUB to work one-on-one with utility customers to lower their bills at twice-yearly clinics; this week's event marked the first time CUB has offered advice on television costs to Rockford-area consumers. Those who missed the presentation can order copies of "CUB's Guide to Cutting Your TV Costs" online.

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Reception for Sara Dady - November 9

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Reception for Sara Dady for Congress
Thursday November 9^th, 6pm
200 S Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61108
Appetizers and cash bar
(Tickets start at $50)

 

Sara now has less than 5 months to get her message out to voters before the primary in March. I hope you can come out and show your support so that we can continue to share Sara's vision for making our district a better place for all of us.

May I be blunt? Help Tammy Duckworth reach her goal!

Halloween is such a fun holiday. There are a lot of ways I like to spend it. Trick or treating with my daughter, Abigail. Passing out candy. Watching campy old horror movies. The list goes on and on.

I'll be honest though. Absent from that list is "writing messages asking for money." But we really can't avoid it at this point.

We won't reach our $15,000 October goal unless we can get 350 people to give $5 or $10 before midnight.

Can you be one of them? Rush in your contribution now.

Thank you and Happy Halloween,

Tammy

Contributions or gifts to Tammy for Illinois are not tax deductible.

David Soll for the 68th District and Other Democrats at Kate's Pie Shop, Saturday, 2-4 PM

David Soll, Seeking the Democratic Nomination for Illinois State Representative 68th District, 

is having an event at Kate's Pie Shop!

From David...

Dear fellow Democrats,

I'm gathering fellow progressives at Kate's Pie Shop at 6685 E. State
this Saturday, October 28^TH from 2 – 4 PM.

This will be a petition signing and educational event.

Come by and learn why my campaign for Illinois StateRepresentative 68th District is something you'll want to be a part of all through November 6^th, 2018 to help defeat the Trump delegate, supporter, and apologist currently occupying the 68th District seat.

For more info, please go to my official website: http://sollforall.com

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