State Representative Kevin Schmidt has made a generous pledge to give away his legislative pay raise to support local community outreach efforts. This month, he chose to donate to the Mascoutah Food Pantry. In a statement, Schmidt expressed his commitment by saying, “Today I made my monthly food donation to the Mascoutah Food pantry. I donate the amount of my salary increase in the form of food to different local food pantries. I voted no for that salary increase, so I put my money where my mouth is.”Schmidt's dedication to helping those in need is evident as he...
Springfield, IL – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) has co-sponsored several important pieces of legislation aimed at supporting the well-being of women and families across Illinois. These bills, recently passed by the House and moving to the Senate, address crucial issues such as healthcare access, caregiver support, and the protection of pregnant women."Supporting the well-being of women and families is essential for the strength and resilience of our communities," emphasized Rep. Schmidt. "I am committed to advocating for policies that uplift and...
Rep. Schmidt is inviting employers to a free jobs fair in East St. Louis on Friday, August 23rd. The event aims to connect businesses with qualified job-seekers to meet their employment needs. The fair will be held at the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus Multipurpose Room, Building D, located at 601 James Thompson Blvd.Employers interested in participating are encouraged to act quickly as space is limited. They can secure their spot by contacting Julie at 815-464-9908 or via email at jlmceinc@aol.com.
State Senator Erica Harriss recently collaborated with the City of Wood River and the Wood River Police Department to host the Community Shred Event and Clean Up Day. The event welcomed over 200 carloads, with Senator Harriss expressing her gratitude to the participants, "I want to thank everyone who came out and supported our great event." She also attributed the successful turnout to the season, stating, "Thanks to the warmer weather and the start of the spring cleaning season, we had another great turnout."Attendees at this year's event had the opportunity to utilize a...
On April 22, 2024, the world celebrates Earth Day with a strong message of environmental awareness and action. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.In a statement, an unknown individual expressed, "Happy Earth Day! Today is a great reminder that we need to do the work to keep our planet healthy." The sentiment underscores the collective responsibility we all share in safeguarding the environment.Encouraging active participation, the same source highlighted, "You can get involved by recycling, cleaning up...
Representative Charlie Meier had a successful week on the House Floor as two of his sponsored bills passed with unanimous support before the 3rd Reading deadline. Meier spoke on House Bill 4179, aimed at helping rural areas secure adequate funding for ambulance services. "House Bill 4179 was brought to me because of all the problems we’re starting to have in rural Illinois," said Rep. Meier, highlighting the challenges faced by rural communities in receiving sufficient ambulance service funding.Meier explained that HB4179 complements HB1470 passed in the previous session,...
State Senator Erica Harriss has passed bipartisan legislation to increase transparency for local units of government proposing changes to their tax levy. The legislation, Senate Bill 3567, focuses on amending the Truth in Taxation law in the Property Tax Code to enhance public disclosure requirements."I came to Springfield with taxes at the forefront of my mind," stated Senator Harriss, emphasizing the importance of transparency in tax-related matters. She highlighted the purpose of the bill, stating, "This bill is about increasing transparency by making these notices...
East St. Louis, IL – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-East St. Louis) has announced an upcoming event titled “Coffee and Conversation with Rep. Schmidt,” scheduled to take place at Billie’s Pastries in East St. Louis on Thursday, April 25th. The event aims to provide constituents with a unique opportunity to engage with Rep. Schmidt in a relaxed and casual setting."As your representative, it is crucial for me to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most to our community," expressed Rep. Schmidt. He further emphasized the value of such gatherings by...
The Murray Parents Association recently visited Springfield to advocate for services for individuals with developmental disabilities. During their trip, the MPA engaged with legislators to discuss the importance of state-operated developmental centers, specifically focusing on the Warren G. Murray Center.In a statement, an undisclosed source expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to the Murray Parents Association for your impact on the lives of Illinoisans with developmental disabilities." The association's dedication to supporting this community was evident throughout...
On April 18, 2024, National Lineman Appreciation Day is celebrated across the nation to recognize the dedication and hard work of those who ensure that electricity continues to flow smoothly to homes and businesses. This day serves as a reminder of the essential role linemen play in maintaining our daily lives."National Lineman Appreciation Day honors the hard work done by the men and women who keep the power on for all Americans," stated a spokesperson for the event. It is a day to acknowledge the often challenging and dangerous conditions in which linemen work...
On April 18, 2024, National Lineman Appreciation Day is observed to honor the dedication and hard work of the men and women who play a crucial role in keeping the power on for all Americans."Thank You Linemen For All You Do!" This simple yet powerful message resonates with the sentiment expressed by many towards these unsung heroes who work tirelessly to ensure that electricity is available to households, businesses, and essential services."Linemen work around the clock, often in dangerous conditions, to keep our communities running." The selfless commitment of linemen...
SPRINGFIELD, IL – House Bill 4662, sponsored by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton), unanimously passed the House this week. The bill extends the sunset of an existing program that allows retired teachers to return to the classroom without negatively impacting their pension or benefits."This important bill will help school districts address teacher shortage issues that are currently happening in the industry," expressed State Representative Amy Elik. "I am thankful to my colleagues for recognizing the need for extending this deadline and for unanimously approving this...
Illinois is facing a critical issue regarding its economic competitiveness, as highlighted in a recent report titled "How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very" by illinoispolicy.org. The report emphasizes the detrimental effects of taxing policies on the state's prosperity.According to the report, a key concern is the approach to taxation in Illinois. One individual, whose identity was not disclosed, expressed a strong opinion on this matter, stating, "We can’t tax our way to prosperity. Rather than saddling our already overburdened residents and job creators...
Since 1938, the United States Department of Labor has provided opportunities through Section 14(c) certificates to provide every American with a chance to work. These certificates allow employers to hire intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals at wages below the federal minimum and set up “workshops” to provide support for these workers. Despite the incredible strides our nation has made to promote inclusivity and dignity in the workplace for Americans with disabilities, new legislation in Illinois threatens to eliminate these programs entirely.In the 2023...
National Work Zone Awareness Week is currently underway, emphasizing the importance of safety for construction workers on the job. As stated by an official source, "This National Work Zone Awareness Week, remember to move over and slow down when approaching work zones."As the summer construction season approaches, it is crucial for all drivers to be vigilant and cautious when driving through work zones. The source also highlighted the need for responsible driving to ensure the safety of construction workers, stating, "With the summer construction season right around the...
Illinois Representative Charlie Meier is pushing for legislation aimed at increasing funding for ambulance services in rural areas of the state. The bill, known as House Bill 4179, would allow for a voter referendum to raise the maximum levy for emergency service districts. Meier highlighted the challenges faced by rural areas, stating, "Our rural areas don’t have the funds to do the ambulance service... That is why this bill is so huge to us as we move forward with it."The proposed legislation serves as a follow-up to House Bill 1740, which passed in the 2023 spring...
Springfield, IL – Yesterday, the Illinois House of Representatives passed HB 4350, the Child Abuse Notice Act, co-sponsored by State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights). The legislation aims to raise awareness about child abuse and provide resources for reporting such abuse."As a father and a legislator, ensuring the safety and well-being of our children is paramount to me," expressed Rep. Schmidt. He added, "HB 4350 is an important step in empowering children to recognize and report abuse. The bill also supports businesses and establishments by giving them...
Representative Schmidt is inviting the public to join him for a Coffee and Conversation event scheduled for Thursday, April 25th at Billie’s Pastries in East St. Louis. The event, aimed at fostering communication between the representative and the community, will provide attendees with the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns in a casual setting.The event announcement states, "Join Rep. Schmidt at Billie’s Pastries in East St. Louis on Thursday, April 25th for Coffee and Conversation!" This initiative highlights the importance of direct engagement between...