November 24, 2010

Lawmakers returned to their districts this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, but are scheduled to return to Springfield on Nov. 29 with plans to review the state’s Medicaid program and workers’ compensation laws.

Both the Special Committee on Medicaid Reform and the Special Committee on Workers’ Compensation Reform are scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m., Nov. 29, in Springfield. Lawmakers serving on the special committees plan to meet throughout December in order to submit reports on the issues by a Jan. 3, 2011, deadline.

November 24, 2010

The Illinois Attorney General has released her annual 2010 Safe Shopping Guide. The guide contains photos and descriptions of the hundreds of children's products recalled during 2010, including toys, furniture and clothes.

Before taking that trip to the toy store this holiday season, consumers are urged to consult the guide to make sure the presents and other products they purchase are safe for children.

Play it Safe Guide

November 22, 2010

Cronin’s twenty years of service was recognized by his Senate colleagues on November 18. Senator Cronin was joined by his family, who traveled to Springfield to hear the senator’s retirement resolution read on the Senate floor.

Following the reading of the resolution into the record, many of his colleagues praised Cronin for his dedication to Illinois’ schoolchildren and education issues—among many others—and his willingness to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in order to better serve his constituents and the people of Illinois.

Senator Cronin served in the Senate since 1993.  During his tenure with the legislature, Cronin was strongly committed to education, making it a top priority. In fact, Cronin served as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee for eight years, and Republican Spokesman on the Senate Education Committee for eight years.

In 1999 Cronin sponsored legislation creating the Tuition Tax Credit for education expenses for parents.  He was chief sponsor of the landmark Chicago School Reform legislation in 1995 that became a national model for aiding failing schools.  It demanded local accountability and higher standards for teachers, administrators, and students.   

Cronin also served on the Higher Education, Labor, Public Health, Judiciary Civil Law, Pensions and Investments, Commerce and Development and Telecommunications and Technology committees.   

Sen. Cronin worked hard for his constituents, advocating for tax relief for homeowners, senior citizens, and veterans.  He consistently voted against higher taxes on families and small businesses. Other causes Cronin championed included, protection for women and children from domestic violence, bullying, care for autistic children, and identity theft.

He was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business “Forty Under 40.” He was also honored by local, state, and national organizations representing economic development, education, environmental protection, veterans, and health care.   

Cronin leaves the Senate to begin a new career as Chairman of the DuPage County Board.  In this new role Cronin has stated that his focus will be to improve transportation and the county budget.  Former Downers Grove Mayor Ron Sandack has been appointed to fill Cronin’s seat.

Upon his resignation Cronin’s fellow senators in a resolution thanked him for his years of dedicated service to the people of Illinois and wished him well in his future endeavors.  

November 19, 2010

The Illinois Senate returned to Springfield Nov. 16 to begin the fall veto session.  According to State Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), this week Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) announced the formation of committees to study workers’ compensation and Medicaid reform. 

The Workers’ Compensation Reform Committee will review the state’s current workers’ compensation practices with the goal of creating a more competitive business environment in Illinois, while protecting the rights of Illinois’ workforce. The Medicaid Reform Committee will work to recommend specific measures to reduce Medicaid costs by creating efficiencies, reducing fraud and preserving a safety net essential to the well-being of Illinois citizens.

Senate Republicans have been pushing for both workers’ compensation and Medicaid reform as necessary to getting Illinois’ budget back on track. Senator Cronin said the committees are bipartisan, consisting of six members with three from each political party. Both committees intend to begin work immediately, and plan to make recommendations to the Senate on these issues before Jan. 3, 2011.

On Nov. 17, the Illinois Senate approved legislation giving the state’s Executive Inspector General of the Governor jurisdiction to investigate Chicago-area transit agencies.  Under Senate Bill 3965, the Executive Inspector General would receive the additional duties of investigating fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement and violations of law at the Regional Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.