State of the State

Dear Friends,

Wednesday of this week, the Governor delivered his State of the State Address indicating his priorities including pension reform, assault weapon ban, job creation, and same sex marriage to name a few.  The speech was a little too long on accomplishments and little short on specifics.

The Budgeting for Results legislation that I championed requires that the Governor identify, through a series of hearings, specific outcomes of what Illinoisans would like to see our government fund over the coming years.  I would have preferred to hear his address focus on the 8-10 specific outcomes that we are looking to move forward during the coming fiscal year.  Hopefully we will hear both more specificity on the Governor’s goals and his funding plan in the upcoming March 6th budget address.  If you would like to read the entire speech, please click the following link:

http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/Documents/State%20of%20the%20State/State%20of%20the%20State%202013.pdf

Coffee Shop Stop This Saturday

On Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., I will be hosting a Coffee Shop Stop at the Starbucks located at 1050 N. Rte 83 (Rte 60 & Rte 83) in Mundelein.  Note this is a new location since our regular Mundelein Starbucks location closed.  I hope you can join me to share your thoughts on state issues.

In the Community

I have been very busy over the past few weeks. Last week, I met with the Lake County Rising group to help promote their event on February 14 in Round Lake Beach, featuring a Women’s Resource Fair and program of speakers including Lake County leaders. I “rise” to empower women to find a solution against abuse.

I am pictured in the middle row, fourth from the left.

I recently introduced a House Resolution on behalf of Lake County Rising that draws attention to sexual assault and violence against women. Lake County Rising consists of many community partners including Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, YWCA of Lake County, Motherland Rhythm Community, CLC Women's Center, Lake Forest College Students for Women Awareness Network (SWAN), and Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim.

Last weekend, I attended the annual Lake County Municipal League breakfast to interact with local officials.  This is always an enjoyable event where legislators provide updates and answer questions.  This year we were joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Brad Schneider.

I am pictured third from the right, next to our Illinois State Senator Terry Link.

Additionally, Barrett Monie, my Legislative Aide, and I have been out in the community at the Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber to hear the State of the Village, ED-Red’s (a regional education organization) annual legislative dinner, the annual Illinois Association of Park Districts Awards Luncheon, the Northwest Municipal Conference Annual Legislative Brunch, and local meetings with high school administrators, local municipalities and Lake County.  My goal is to connect with leaders and constituent groups regularly as well as to schedule business/organization tours so become highly familiar with the issues in District 59.

Business Partners

As Chair of the Business Growth and Incentives House Committee, I value hearing ideas for how Illinois can do more to support local businesses and help them to create and sustain quality jobs. Over the next few weeks, I hope to schedule several business tours to gain a better understanding of each company’s unique contributions to our region and their needs from state government.  I have also reached out to DCEO, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to hold a Springfield meeting to get acquainted with the new Director and convene a local meeting with Lake County and Lake County Partners to improve our state’s outreach program.

Upcoming Hearing on Football Tackling in School Sports

Since the 98th General Assembly has been underway, I have introduced several pieces of legislation not only to benefit our area, but also to help address public safety issues. House Bill 1205 will limit football tackling during practice, to help prevent concussions and dangerous brain injuries in student-athletes.

Please participate in my upcoming meeting on this topic on Monday February 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vernon Hills High School. Please follow the link below for more information.

http://lakeforest.patch.com/articles/sentes-hearing-to-address-youth-football-safety-topics

Attention Women College Students

NEW Leadership Illinois, the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and the Conference of Women Legislators of the Illinois General Assembly will be holding their annual conference this June 3rd through 7th in Chicago. The conference strives to educate and empower the next generation of female leaders. Leadership education, hands-on training in public policy, and networking opportunities with leaders from every level of government will be included. Students must attend college in Illinois or must be an Illinois resident, and must have junior or senior standing in June 2013. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2013. There is no cost associated with this event.

For more information, please call (217) 300-2365 or contact  igpa-newl@uillinois.edu
To apply, please visit: http://igpa.uillinois.edu/pe/new-leadership

As always, if you have thoughts you’d like to share with me, or if I can be of assistance in another way, please contact my full time constituent service office located at 430 N. Milwaukee Ave., Suite 8 in Lincolnshire, by phone at (847) 478-9909 or by e-mail at RepSente@gmail.com.  I hope to hear from you soon.  And if you think someone else would like to receive my E-News regularly, feel free to forward this email to them.

Sincerely,

Carol