Illinois House Democrats have introduced new legislation that would eliminate single-family zoning areas in Illinois’ largest cities. Representative Kam Buckner (D -Chicago) introduced House Bill 4795, known as the Single-Family Zoning Ban Act, to the General Assembly. The bill aims to require townships, municipalities, and counties with populations over 100,000 residents to allow for the use of "middle housing" in areas currently zoned for single-family homes, such as duplexes and triplexes.The proposed legislation has raised concerns among residents who fear the impact...
Rep. Coffey announced with pride that House Bill 4733 has successfully passed the House unanimously, with a vote of 112-0. The bill, aimed at amending the University of Illinois Act, allows for the provision of honorary scholarships to the children of Veterans who served during the invasion of Panama between December 20, 1989, and January 31, 1990.In a statement following the bill's passage, Rep. Coffey expressed his satisfaction with the support received, stating, "I’m very proud to see House Bill 4733 pass the House unanimously, 112-0." He further elaborated on the...
In observance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is urging motorists to prioritize safety by moving over and slowing down when approaching work zones. The initiative aims to remind drivers to exercise caution and vigilance while navigating through construction areas to protect the workers and maintain road safety."Residents should know the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Multi-Year Program will have an impact on additional work zones being setup," emphasized IDOT, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance...
Springfield, IL – Legislation pending in the House of Representatives (HB 4270), would amend the Line of Duty Compensation Act. State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) filed legislation to include emergency medical services personnel."Our first responders put their lives on the line to save others and we must honor their families after tragic events that occur," said Rep. Rosenthal. "House Bill 4270 would financially assist families of first responders in times of need and also acknowledge their dedication to keeping our communities safe."The Line of Duty...
Last week in Springfield was a bustling one with various activities happening at the Capitol. Among the events were sessions, committee meetings, and visits that added excitement to the week.Representative Mike Coffey shared some highlights of the week, including the presence of two high school seniors who accompanied him for a day. He mentioned, "I had two Pages with me for a day: Harrison Gray is a Senior at Springfield High School and a student representative for District 186 school board. Ian Klockenga is a Senior at Rochester High School and helped the Rochester...
The average school administrator’s salary in Tri-City Community Unit School District 1 was $95,687 during the 2021-22 school year, while teaching salaries averaged $48,267, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
In a recent development, Illinois House Republicans have voiced their concerns over the diminished public safety in the state following the implementation of the cashless bail system under the Illinois SAFE-T Act. Representative Rosenthal highlighted the troubling trend where criminals seem to be treated more favorably than law-abiding citizens, emphasizing the need to prioritize community safety.Patrick Windhorst, the House Republican Floor Leader, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and preventing quick releases back...
Illinois residents are facing a significant challenge in maintaining public safety six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail and other provisions of the Illinois SAFE-T Act. House Republicans have been vocal about their opposition to the law, citing concerns about its impact on law enforcement and community safety.According to Rep. Coffey, tough laws against criminals need to be reestablished to ensure accountability for perpetrators of crimes. State Representative John Cabello expressed worry over criminals being treated better than law-abiding...
The average school administrator’s salary in Greenfield Community Unit School District 10 was $98,960 during the 2021-22 school year, while teaching salaries averaged $52,649, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
The average school administrator’s salary in Rochester Community Unit School District 3A was $99,804 during the 2021-22 school year, while teaching salaries averaged $55,498, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
The average school administrator’s salary in Lincoln Elementary School District 27 was $104,037 during the 2021-22 school year, while teaching salaries averaged $57,005, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
State Representative Mike Coffey has taken a stand against the proposed closure of the Springfield Regional Processing and Distribution Center by urging Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reconsider the decision. In a recent statement, Coffey highlighted his efforts by filing House Resolution 691 to express the Illinois House of Representatives' disappointment with the USPS's plan.Coffey emphasized the importance of protecting workers in Illinois and finding alternative solutions to benefit both USPS operations and residents. He stated, "We must do more to protect workers...
Senator Bennett strongly opposes Senate Bill 771, a piece of legislation that would grant the state sweeping authority over private land in Illinois. The bill has faced opposition from various groups, including farmers, business organizations, home builders, and energy producers. Senator Bennett believes that the proposed legislation infringes on property rights and would impose burdensome regulatory processes on citizens, potentially harming Illinois’ agriculture, construction, and energy sectors in the long term.In contrast, Senator Bennett recently passed Senate Bill...
On April 12, 2024, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce was awarded a prestigious 5-Stars Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This recognition is a testament to the chamber's sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on their communities.In response to this achievement, Representative Coffey filed HR680 to congratulate the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Only 11 chambers of commerce across the nation were honored with this accreditation, highlighting the exceptional work done by the Greater Springfield Chamber of...
The average school administrator’s salary in Mount Pulaski Community Unit School District 23 was $104,248 during the 2021-22 school year, while teaching salaries averaged $58,975, according to the Illinois State Board of Education report.
Six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail, and other provisions, of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, Illinois residents are finding themselves anything but safe. House Republicans warned against the passage of the SAFE-T Act because of problematic provisions in the law that make the work of law enforcement officials harder to do and because the law will make our communities less safe. The concerns raised by House Republicans have been echoed by State Representative John Cabello, who stated, "It’s ridiculous that public safety is not a priority for those on the...
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie is actively working to highlight the evolving role of women in agriculture. A recent meeting convened by Leader McCombie brought together a group of women leaders from the 89th District to discuss legislative updates related to agriculture. The gathering marked the inaugural session of the new 'Women in Agriculture' advisory group.Leader McCombie expressed her long-standing desire to establish this coalition, emphasizing the importance of women coming together to recognize their contributions to agriculture and support one another. She...