Senator Duffy to hold Senior Spelling Bee in Wauconda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay
18, 2009
Springfield,
Illinois- Seniors with a knack
for spelling have an opportunity to test their skills during a qualifying round
of the 2009 Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee, sponsored by State Senator Dan
Duffy (R-Lake Barrington).
The spelling bee is open to anyone age 50 and older.
Seniors willing to participate can pre-register by calling 847-277-7100 to
obtain registration materials, or they can register at the event.
Registration is free, and seniors are
encouraged to study by using a dictionary or by going to www.myspellit.com
on the Internet.
Qualifying rounds for the State Senior Spelling
Bee are held throughout the State of
Illinois,
with the finals occurring during the Illinois State Fair on Monday, August 17,
2009.
WHO: Anyone age 50 or older!
WHAT: Senior Spelling Bee, hosted by Senator Dan Duffy
WHEN: June 5th at 1 p.m.
WHERE:
WaucondaTownship,
505 W. Bonner Rd.,
Wauconda,
IL60084
Other co-sponsors of the event include: Blue
Cross BlueShield of Illinois, the Illinois Department on Aging, and the
Association of Illinois Senior Centers
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring
out your inner “smarty pants” at the 2009 Senior Spelling Bee!
Civic Federation says Governor can do better, offers alternatives
May 12, 2009
The Civic Federation of Chicago recently released its report
on the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, which urged lawmakers to reject Gov.
Pat Quinn’s proposed budget. The respected organization commended the
governor for broaching the need for pension reform; however, it went on
to reject his proposed budget, noting that it relies on tax increases
without addressing the state’s core fiscal problems.
The Civic Federation advocated for spending cuts, explaining that while
the governor may be making reductions in certain areas, the Fiscal Year
2010 budget still includes a $3.2 billion increase in state spending.
The Federation also said that the proposed income tax increase could
negatively impact the state during bad economic times. According to
the report,“The budget does not effectively stabilize state finances,
nor does it effectively address the unprecedented fiscal crisis that
has led to a two-year, $11.6 billion deficit.”
While it did applaud the governor for taking a step toward pension
reform, the Civic Federation criticized his proposal to reduce
contributions to pension systems by $3 billion over the next two years
as an “irresponsible action that endangers the state’s fiscal
solvency.” Laurence Msall, president of The Civic Federation said that,
“Shorting the state’s pension contribution while raising taxes to
address the state’s structural budget deficit crisis is illogical and
counterproductive.”
The Civic Federation outlined an alternative budget proposal
that would rely on a scaled back income tax increase and greater budget
cuts. The Federation noted that new revenues from any new tax should go
to pay for unpaid bills and to reduce the state’s staggering pension
fund liabilities.
You can read The Civic Federation's full report and recommendations at its Web site
Senate Week in Review: May 4- May 8
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
May 8, 2009
Springfield,
Ill. – This week in the Illinois Senate, lawmakers spent
much of their time in committees considering and advancing House legislation in
order to meet the Friday deadline to move House bills. However, in addition to
their legislative duties, State Senator
Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) said the Senate Republican Caucus took
time to host its second Veterans Legislative Day.
The event had a great
turnout, with more than 200
Illinois veterans
traveling to
Springfield
to participate. Opening remarks were delivered by Senate Republican Leader
Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), who was joined by Governor Pat Quinn.
The day was filled with a
variety of speakers, including Senate Republican members of the Senate
Veterans’ Affairs Committee; Dan Grant, Director
of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs;
and representatives from Congressmen Peter Roskam’s, Aaron Schock’s and John
Shimkus’ offices. The speakers fielded veterans’ questions, helped them better
understand what benefits are currently available to veterans, and told them how
to go about obtaining those benefits.
Springfield,
Ill. – Senate lawmakers moved almost 300
bills out of committee this week, including measures to ban texting while
driving, allow for medicinal marijuana use and create a “Transparency and
Accountability Portal.” Senator Dan
Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) said that the Senate also unanimously approved
legislation seeking to increase transparency in the gubernatorial appointment
process.
Senate Bill 189 was
introduced in response to former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s abuse of the
executive appointment process, which included leveraging appointments to the
state’s pension and investment boards, the Teachers Retirement System Board and
the Health Facilities Planning Board in return for campaign cash and favors.
The measure requires
the governor’s office to establish and maintain a searchable online database of
appointed board and commission members, their powers; qualifications and
responsibilities; current board vacancies; information on how to apply for an
appointment and a link to the Secretary of State’s Web site where Statements of
Economic Interest can be obtained by the public.
Members of the Senate
Executive Committee overwhelmingly approved another transparency measure, voting
13 - 0 in favor of a measure to create an Illinois Transparency and
Accountability Portal Web site.
SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers returned to
Springfield to begin the final weeks of the
spring legislative session before the scheduled end of May adjournment. State Senator Dan Duffy (R- Lake Barrington) said
they immediately got to work, holding legislative committees and moving
legislation in both the Senate and the House.
Early this week, members of the Illinois Reform
Commission organized by Governor Quinn came before the General Assembly’s Joint
Committee on Government Reform to present their ideas for procurement reform.
The Illinois Reform Commission has been
traveling throughout the state, gathering information and testimony from expert
witnesses on ways to strengthen
Illinois’
ethics and transparency laws. Although the Illinois Reform Commission is
expected to release its final report next week, Commission Chairman Patrick
Collins testified Tuesday before legislators on the Commission’s
recommendations for procurement system reform.
2009 Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee, sponsored by State Senator Dan
Duffy (R-Lake Barrington). 
May 12, 2009 
Early this week, members of the Illinois Reform
Commission organized by Governor Quinn came before the General Assembly’s Joint
Committee on Government Reform to present their ideas for procurement reform.