Demand Anti-Corruption Reform NOW!
As the Fall Veto Session approaches, I need your help to put pressure on the Democrats to take up anti-corruption reform.
In the last year, four Illinois democrat legislators have been indicted on charges ranging from bribery to ghost payrolling and federal tax evasion. Another, Speaker Madigan, is under investigation as part of what could possibly be the largest bribery scheme in Illinois state government history. In that time, not a single piece of anti-corruption legislation has been signed into law.
Additionally, last veto session, democrats ignored the calls from Senate Republicans for reform, and instead, created the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform which, a year later, has failed to submit a final report and hasn’t even met since March 5.
Illinois needs tougher ethics laws to combat government corruption. Which is why, if you agree with me, I urge you to sign my petition here.
Action should be taken now.
Reminder for FOID and CCL holders: Emergency rules remain in effect
Last week, the Illinois State Police issued a reminder to Federal Firearms License (FFL), FOID card and Concealed Carry License (CCL) holders regarding the provisions of the emergency rules pertaining to expiration extensions of FOID cards and CCLs.
In April, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ISP adopted emergency rules to help firearm owners with expired Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards. Then on Sept. 3, ISP once again updated emergency rules for CCL and FOID card holders. The adopted rules aimed to help firearm owners during the COVID-19 pandemic and related FOID renewal backlog.
The following rule changes were adopted:
· FOID card holders who submit their renewal applications will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 18 months following the termination of the disaster, provided they have submitted their renewal applications.
· CCL licensees, who submit their renewal applications, will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 18 months following its termination, provided they have submitted their renewal applications.
ISP encourages FOID card holders to print confirmation of their submitted renewal applications to demonstrate compliance to the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card Act and Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
Firearms dealers can also submit a firearm transfer inquiry via the Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP) to verify eligibility. The ISP encourages the use of the Person-to-Person Firearms Transfer Inquiry portal to check the validity of a FOID card.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns or need assistance with this topic, please reach out to my District Office by calling (618) 294-8951.
Trucking Advisory Council
On Oct. 15, I partnered together with the Illinois Trucking Association to host our first-ever virtual Trucking Advisory Council meeting.
Over 25 representatives of Southern Illinois’ trucking industry participated in the annual trucking update. I host this meeting every year to hear from those in industry in an open forum, allow them the opportunity to voice any concerns and receive their feedback on how to better represent Illinois’ trucking employers and employees.
The trucking industry is a major contributor to Illinois’ economy, employing over 278,000 people and serving as the transportation carrier for 78 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state.
One of the biggest issues mentioned during the annual meeting was the ongoing truck driver shortage currently facing the trucking industry. In fact, in a weekly survey put forth by the Illinois Trucking Association, in October 100 percent of respondents said they are currently facing a truck driver shortage in their company. Which is why it is critical to promote workforce development in Southern Illinois and encourage students to consider pursuing these well-paying jobs here in the region.