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).

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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.

Rantoul…State Representative Bill Black’s persistence paid off this month for the Village of Rantoul which has now received long-awaited state funding for the public library. Black (R-Danville) said the $100,000 grant for construction of the Rantoul Library on the former Chanute Air Force Base was approved by former Governor George Ryan as part of his Illinois First capital program, but was frozen by the Blagojevich administration.

“Funding for this project was approved in 2003, but local officials and I have been fighting to get it actually released since the Blagojevich administration took office,” said Black “The new library in Rantoul is a wonderful facility that benefits the entire community, and I am ecstatic that the promised funding to help with the construction costs has finally arrived.”

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Legislation Sponsored by Black Ends “Pay to Play” Abuses

Danville…State Representative Bill Black today urged Governor Blagojevich to promptly sign legislation that will ban the trading of jobs or contracts for campaign contributions in Illinois. Black (R-Danville) co-sponsored the “pay to play” prohibitions in the House. He today warned the Governor that legislators stand ready to override any veto message.

“We now have a second governor in a row drawn into investigations involving the trading of state jobs and contracts for large campaign contributions. Sadly, this has cemented Illinois’ national reputation for abuse and corruption,” Black said. “The legislation we sent the governor last week will help put a stop to ‘pay to play’ abuses at the state level, and he needs to do the right thing and sign it immediately. If he tries to stop it with a veto or unnecessary changes, we will override.”

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Springfield…Calling it an “irresponsible scheme” State Representative Bill Black Saturday cast a resounding no vote on the Democrat crafted state budget for Fiscal Year 2009 that is $2.5 billion out of balance.

“Basically, Democrats loaded up the budget with billions of dollars in spending the state can’t pay for, then passed it along to the governor and said ‘Here, you figure it out. We’re going home.’” Black said.

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