This week, I had the opportunity to work both in the district and on materials for Springfield next week. I am eager to return to Springfield for Session next week!
SESSION
Next week, the Illinois House is scheduled to be in Session, Tuesday, February 6th through Thursday, February 8th.
LEGISLATION
This week I sponsored more legislation from my fellow lawmakers. To see all the legislation I file or co-sponsor, visit the ILGA website, and click on my name under “Members”, nested under House, and click “Bills” on my profile.
HB 4603
I released a press release on January 31 in opposition of House Bill 4603, but in support of law enforcement. The same day, the Illinois State Police made a routine traffic stop for improper lane usage, which according to HB 4603 would not be permitted, and during the stop found a girl in the car who had been trafficked. It’s sad we have to prove the fact that allowing police to do their jobs saves lives, but here is a perfectly timed example.
ESTATE TAX
This week, the Illinois Farm Bureau unveiled new legislation aimed at improving the Illinois Estate Tax. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has spearheaded efforts throughout her tenure to address this problematic “death” tax, one that has disproportionately hurt family farms but also small businesses and manufacturing in Illinois. McCombie and members of her leadership team stand in support of the recently unveiled bipartisan proposal.
For the past seven years, Leader McCombie has worked in the Illinois House of Representatives to address the estate tax–alongside several House Republican members who have pursued ways in which small businesses, farmers, and family businesses could see relief from the punitive nature of the state’s archaic tax system which “re-taxes” assets upon death of the owner.
This past Spring, McCombie provided subject matter testimony in the House Revenue Committee in support of legislation she sponsored to reduce the estate tax and protect family farms. McCombie was joined in the Capitol last March by members of the Farm Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Business who were supportive of her bill and provided key testimony in favor of the measure, which would prevent any double taxation of inherited farms and small businesses.
In a press conference Wednesday in Bloomington, at the home office of the Illinois Farm Bureau, House Republican leaders stood with bipartisan lawmakers supporting the new measure. House Bill 4600, named the Family Farms Preservation Act, is designed to protect the heritage of family farmers by updating the Illinois Estate Tax code.
TAXES
Tax Foundation ranks Illinois 49th of 50 states for business taxes. The consolidated tax rate levied on the income of incorporated businesses in Illinois, 9.5% (7.0% standard corporate income tax plus a 2.5% “personal property replacement” tax) is the second-highest corporate tax rate levied by the 50 states. Only one state, Minnesota, levies a higher income tax rate (9.8%). The corporate tax rankings were published in January by the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation.
OUTDOOR SPORTS
Grand American trapshooting meet inks deal to extend Sparta, Illinois as host for additional 10 years. The Amateur Trapshooting Association, operator of Grand American, worked with the World Shooting and Recreational Complex prior to this week’s announcement. The compact is expected to keep the Grand American in Randolph County through 2036. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources estimates that the Grand American brings $27.5 million into Southern Illinois every year.
SERVICE PERSONS AND VETERANS
Members of Illinois National Guard units ordered to ready for deployment in the Middle East. Since the commencement of the Global War on Terror in September 2001, the armed forces of the United States have maintained a heavy, continuous presence in the Middle East. This has included deployments and combat in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and the waters surrounding these countries. At the beginning of this week, more than 300 Illinois National Guard members were preparing for deployment in Operation Spartan Shield. The service personnel were reviewed by Major General Rodney Boyd at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday, January 27.
While in Operation Spartan Shield (OSS), the deployed personnel will be under the umbrella of the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM). Operation Spartan Shield is an open-ended deployment operation that, since September 2012, has rotated U.S. service personnel into and out of the Middle East. All the personnel who are assigned for Spartan Shield deployment are members of personnel units that have undergone specialty training for the duties they will be asked to perform while deployed. National Guard units assigned to Spartan Shield deployment tasks typically perform duties related to infrastructure support and logistics.
TOUR OF EASTERN ILLINI FOODBANK
On Monday, I was invited to tour the Eastern Illini Foodbank in Urbana for a tour of the facility. Here, I was able to learn about EIF’s impact on Eastern Illinois and how important food pantries are, especially with the rising cost of food. Thank you, Kelly, for allowing me to tour and learn more about the facility!
DACC COLLEGE CABINET AND TOUR
After my tour at EIF, I was invited back to Danville Area Community College for a College Cabinet meeting. Here, I was able to meet the cabinet members and hear them speak about future innovations. Following the meeting, I was given the opportunity to tour the institution. Thank you DACC, for another information meeting!
CARLE HEALTH LEGISLATIVE KICKOFF BREAKFAST
On Friday, I was invited to attend the Carle Legislative Breakfast and hear from the hospital about staffing, HFS HTC Grant work, challenges and trends in health care, as well as be invited for a tour.
Thank you to Carle Hospital for bringing my attention to the health industry to discuss all aspects and how legislation could be helpful or harmful to those aspects.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT MEETING
Following the Legislative Kickoff at Carle, I then attended the 81st Annual Meeting at the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District in Rantoul. Here, I was able to learn more about the district’s agricultural needs and compare those to the accomplishments made last year.
Thank you to the Champaign Co Soil and Water Conservation for inviting me to see how much legislation impacts our communities on an agricultural level.
ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IHDA) HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND REPAIR PROGRAM (HAFHR), DANVILLE
Beginning on February 1st, the City of Danville has its application process open for HAFHR grants for residents within city limits. The application is opened until February 15th. Visit the City of Danville’s website for more information and the application.
OPEN HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 14TH
I am hosting an open house at my Danville office, Wednesday, February 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 3821 N. Vermilion Ste. 5, Danville, IL 61832. Light refreshments will be available. I hope to see you there!
OTHER NEWS
CAPITOL CRIMES PODCAST
On February 1st, House Republicans launched their first episode of their Capitol Crimes Podcast. The first episode talks about the Pam Knight story, the DCFS worker murdered while making a house call in northwestern Illinois. The podcast is available on Soundcloud.
VALENTINES FOR VETERANS
I am hosting my first annual Valentines for Veterans Card Drop-Off! I began collecting cards as of January 30th and I will be continuing until noon on February 14th.
Any constituents living in the 104th District are encouraged to drop off or mail cards to the Danville office for veterans living at Mercy Housing in Danville. After all the cards are collected, my team and I will be hand delivering them to the veterans on Valentine’s Day.
For those wishing to participate, the cards can be dropped off in the drop box or sent through the mail to State Representative Brandun Schweizer, 3821 N. Vermilion Suite 5 Danville, IL 61832.
For any inquiries, please contact the Danville office at (217) 477-0104 or at repschweizer@district104.com.
