Springfield, IL….Stressing our state’s $6 billion backlog of unpaid bills, State Representative Bill Black today took action to halt hundreds of millions of dollars in scheduled pay raises for union state employees. Black (R- Danville) joined House Republican colleagues in introducing House Resolution 1218 urging Governor Pat Quinn to re-open state employee union contracts to remove $336.2 million in agency pay raises.

“We’re billions of dollars behind in paying our bills. We have no money to pay teachers, nursing homes and health care providers. Companies who do business with the state are having to take out personal loans to keep afloat because we haven’t paid them…but we can afford to give out $336 million in raises? “We simply do not have the money to do that”.

Black noted that members of the General Assembly, university employees and many other non-union state employees have already had their salaries frozen and are also taking unpaid furlough days.

House Resolution 1218 urges Governor Quinn to reopen collective bargaining agreements to remove pay raises as a means to reduce state expenditures and ensure the additional funding is directed to education and social services programs. All state expenditures must be thoroughly reviewed to ensure unnecessary spending is eliminated from the budget. “I respect the collective bargaining process and I know a contact should be honored”, however, the state is close to insolvency and I urge everyone to come to the table and work out a shared sacrifice,” Black said.

Springfield…State Representative Bill Black today cast a resounding “no” vote on a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that continues to allow lawmakers to draw their own legislative district boundaries to suit their personal needs.

Black (R- Danville) said that under the state’s current redistricting system lawmakers get to draw their own district boundaries using political data to make sure they can draw in’ their supporters and ‘draw out’ their opponents. Under the Democrats “reform” proposal, SJRCA 121, lawmakers will still draw their own district boundaries using the same political data.

“Our current redistricting system is basically an incumbency protection plan…and the Democrats’ ‘reform’ plan is more of the same. What part of the word ‘reform’ aren’t they understanding?” Black asked. “The only way to reform this fatally-flawed system is to remove legislators entirely from the map drawing process.”

Representative Black and his House Republican colleagues this week again called for House consideration of the Illinois Fair Map Amendment supported by a host of good government groups, the League of Women Voters and newspaper editorial boards throughout the state. Fair Map takes the process of drawing maps away from lawmakers and turns it over to an independent commission. It prohibits consideration of political data such as voting history, or incumbency during the initial map drawing process and also prohibits elected officials, lobbyists, state employee or contractor or their immediate family from serving on the Commission. Continue reading »

Springfield…Taxpayers should not be on the hook to pay for portraits of former Governors who are impeached and convicted of crimes, State Representative Bill Black stressed. Legislation sponsored by Black to block public funding for such portraits sailed through the Illinois Senate this week, and is on its way go Governor Quinn’s desk for final approval.

“The oil portraits of our former governors that are hanging in the Hall of Governors at the capitol are now running close to $20,000 a piece,” Black said. “Before last year, we had never had a sitting governor impeached. There is some difference of opinion on whether Governor Blagojevich, if convicted, should be allowed a portrait in the Hall at all. But there’s no question that taxpayers should not be on the hook to pay for that portrait, or for any Governor who is removed from office in disgrace and convicted in court,” Black said.

House Bill 5109 specifically prohibits a portrait of a Governor who has been impeached and convicted from being financed or paid for with state funds.

“We need to pay our bills. We need to fund our schools, our universities and our human service and health care providers. If Rod Blagojevich wants to raise private funds to pay for a portrait, good for him; but our taxpayer dollars are needed elsewhere,” Black said.

Springfield… “Our long state nightmare is finally over,” State Representative Bill Black said today following a vote in the Illinois Senate that officially removed Governor Rod Blagojevich from office. Today’s vote was the culmination of a week-long trial in the state senate, following an impeachment recommendation by the Illinois House.

“We have just witnessed history being made. Rod Blagojevich is the first-ever Governor of Illinois to be impeached and removed from office. It’s my sincere hope that he will be the last,” said Black (R-Danville).

Read more…

Listen here for Bill’s comments on the Governor’s conviction.

Vermilion County, IL…The bidding process is underway for a new state-funded bridge on Route 164 just northwest of Indianola, State Representative Bill Black announced today.

Black (R-Danvile) said officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) expect the bidding process to take about 45 days on the project which will include removal of the existing bridge spanning a drainage ditch a mile and a half north of Indianola, and its replacement with a new concrete structure along with new bridge approaches, grading and other necessary earth work.

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We ask you to join us in urging House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones to immediately call the General Assembly back into session to allow a vote on the special election legislation to fill the Senate seat of Barack Obama by signing this online petition.

Danville…State Representative Bill Black today launched a local petition drive to expedite the removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich from office. Black (R-Danville) has posted a petition on this website so area residents can add their names in support of initiating immediate impeachment proceedings in the Illinois House.

“The governor has been charged with federal crimes, but has shown no sign that he will to do the right thing for the people Illinois and resign. The local community needs to join their lawmakers now in sending a strong message to Speaker Madigan that the time has come to remove governor Blagojevich from office. The Illinois House needs to begin the impeachment process now!” Black said.

Following the Governor’s arrest on federal corruption charges this week, Representative Black filed House Resolution 1644, forming a special investigative committee to conduct impeachment hearings in the House. Local residents can voice their support for Representative Black’s impeachment resolution by filling out their name, address and e-mail address on the petition form. The petition signatures will be forwarded to Representative Black for his use when the House reconvenes in Springfield on Monday.

Please click here to sign the petition.

For information on flooding, visit IEMA’s website by <a href=”http://www.ready.illinois.gov” “target=_blank”><b>clicking here.</b></a>

For information on low interest loans for flood victims, visit IL Treasurer’s website by <a href=”http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/opportunity-illinois/consumer-loans/storm-victims.aspx” “target=_blank”><b>clicking here.</b></a>

Or call the Flood Hotline at 1-866-523-0641.