Illinois Pension Reform: How Did Your Representative Vote?

The Illinois House Thursday approved a controversial plan to eliminate the state's $100 billion pension debt.

By Steven Jack The Illinois Senate may soon vote on House Speaker Michael Madigan’s pension reform plan that passed the House Thursday. The bill passed by a vote of 62-51 and seeks to eliminate the state’s $100 billion retirement system debt. Illinois ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to funding its public pension plan, according to WBEZ. The bill asks state workers for less in future cost-of-living increases, an increase in the retirement age for workers under the age of 46 and asks for more money to be taken from state employee paychecks. The bill may have difficulty making it through the Senate where Senate Leader John Cullerton supports a different plan that gives workers the option of pay increases or government-funded …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Burke Signs On As Co-Sponsor of Gang Registry Bill

Bill would make Illinois's gang database accessible to the public, but critics say bill is too vague about who gets entered into system.

State Rep. Kelly Burke (D-36th District) signed on as a co-sponsor to HB 3082, a bill that would open the Illinois State Police’s gang member database to the public. HB 3082, State Police Gang Database, was introduced by Rep. Deborah Mell (D-40th District) of the city’s Northwest Side, and is currently before the state house rules committee. Connect with Patch: Oak Lawn / Beverly-Mt. Greenwood / Evergreen Park Illinois’s Statewide Organized Criminal Gang Database is currently available only to prosecutors, police and other statewide law enforcement agencies. Mell would like to list the names of known and alleged gang members, including their last known address, photos, tattoos, other physical marks and favorite hangouts. The registry is …

•  22 Comments
• Photos (1)

IL House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill, Quinn ‘Open-minded’

The state Senate will now review a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for qualified patients in Illinois.

Medical marijuana is closer to becoming a reality in Illinois than ever before after the bill squeezed by the House of Representatives in a 61-57 vote on Wednesday. Rep. Kelly Burke (36th) voted in favor of the bill.  Check out how the rest of the House voted The Senate, which already approved a less restrictive marijuana bill in 2009, will now consider the bill. Should it pass, Governor Pat Quinn has already indicated his support of the bill, telling the Chicago Tribune he is “open-minded” about it.  Get in on the conversation. Join Evergreen Park Patch today.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Local Lawmakers React to Illinois Senate's Passage of Same-Sex Marriage Bill

With the bill legalizing same-sex marriage clearing the Illinois Senate, it's now up to the Illinois House to make it a reality. See how your local senator voted.

Illinois took a giant step closer toward legalized same-sex marriage with the passage of the marriage equality bill – SB 10 – in the Illinois Senate on Thursday afternoon. The Senate passed the bill – with 34 in favor, 21 against and two abstentions. The bill still has one hurdle left to clear when it goes before the Illinois House where it needs 60 votes to pass. See how each member of the Illinois Senate voted, by clicking on the pdf. If passed, the state law defining marriage would be changed from an act between a man and a woman, to two people.  State Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) said he initially had reservations about the bill after attempts to pass it during last month's veto session. The Beverly Democrat brought his …

•  17 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)

Burke Wins 36th District State House, Shelstrom Loses 30 Pounds

Democrat Kelly Burke tops contest in 36th District State House race against Republican challenger Bob Shelstrom, cruising to second term.

Evergreen Park Democrat Kelly Burke easily cruised to her second term in the Illinois State House, beating Republican challenger Robert Shelstrom of Palos Park. Burke carried Chicago’s 18th, 19th and 21st Ward precincts by 84 percent to Shelstrom’s 15 percent, with all but two precincts counted. In the suburbs, Burke defeated Shelstrom by 64 percent of the vote, with 66 of 72 precincts counted for the Illinois State House’s 36th District seat. Burke, who was headed into Quigley’s South Side Irish Pub in Oak Lawn to celebrate her victory with her family, said she hoped to have the opportunity to continue working to fix the state’s fiscal mess in her second term. “I spent a lot of time on the budget trying to get state’s finances in order,” …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Patch on Politics

State House: Endorsements with a Chuckle and a Shake of the Head

The Tribune dislikes Madigan, and splits its endorsements in the Southland's State House races. Hurley, Burke, Alm and Kalnicky are endorsed.

The editorial board of the Chicago Tribune prefers Democrats in the House districts serving the Chicago Southland and Republicans in the districts serving Will County. And in the 22nd District — a democracy-free zone and the stomping ground of House Speaker Michael Madigan — they see nothing to like. Why? For one, Mike Madigan's Republican opponent is a longtime Democrat. Never mind what his name is. It doesn't matter. In the 35th, the Trib endorses Fran Hurley, a 19th Ward cutout who worked for Ginger Rugai and Matt O'Shea, over Republican Ricardo Fernandez, of Orland Park, a physical therapist with a doctorate who's taught full time at Northwestern University and Governors State University. When Patch asked Fernandez what sets him apart …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Dean Casper

3:09 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Great observation on the Trib. They talk a good game about reform, but then endorse the enablers from both parties that allow the corruption and incompetence to continue. Why would anyone who is interested in good government and want Madigan's 42 year reign to end want Hurley elected? Madigan attempted to prevent Hurley from even having an opponent, and has been working for the Machine her entire…   more ›

Grant Training for Community and Faith-Based Organizations

State Reps. Bill Cunningham (35th) and Kelly Burke (36th) are hosting a free, half-day workshop in partnership with IDHS for non-profit organizations on Sept. 18. Deadline to register is this Friday.

Do you work for a non-profit or faith-based organization? State Representatives Bill Cunningham (35th District) and Kelly Burke (36th District) are partnering with the Illinois Department of Human Services to host a half-day grantsmanship workshop. Representatives from community and faith-based agencies and organizations will learn how to create effective programs or fine-tune an existing programs. The workshop is taught by IDHS representatives and includes: The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Green Hills Library at 8611 W. 103rd St. in Palos Hills. The workshop is FREE and pre-registration is mandatory. Registration is limited to 40 participants and will be on a first come, first served basis. On-site registration…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Nolan

10:15 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Hopefully you follow it up with communication to the representatives' offices, but this is a good start. Also, using government funds to support religious organizations is illegal. It goes against the separation of church and state.   more ›

Southland Republican Jumps Into 36th District Race

Bob Shelstrom, of Palos Park, will challenge incumbent State Rep. Kelly Burke in the 36th District.

Voters looking to cast a ballot for a Republican in the Illinois House 36th District in March's primary election were met with a blank space . That will change in November as a GOP candidate has stepped forward to challenge the incumbent Democrat.  Sign up for our newsletter for daily news, information and breaking news alerts about Evergreen Park. Bob Shelstrom, an engineer from Palos Park, was nominated by the Republican committeemen from Palos and Worth townships to carry the GOP banner in the general. Shelstrom stepped forward after noticing no Republican candidates on the ballot when he went to vote.  Shelstrom is a frequent and vocal critic of the spending practices of Palos Consolidated School District 118, High School District 230 …

• Photos (1)

State Reps Hosting Conference Call on Foreclosure

State Reps. Kelly Burke (D-36) and Bill Cunningham (D-35) are hosting a free conference call giving residents information on preventing foreclosures.

Those currently facing a foreclosure or curious about the topic could get more information this week from local government officials. From 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, Illinois state Reps. Kelly Burke (D-36) and Bill Cunningham (D-35) are hosting a free telephone conference on foreclosure assistance and tenants’ rights. According to Burke, the conference will give residents information on preventing foreclosures. The conference call will be privacy protected and no personal information will be shared among listeners. The free call-in number and access code are only available if residents register. To register for Tuesday's conference call email smkerwin@kellyburkerep36.org or staterepbillcunningham@gmail.com, or call 425-0571 or (773) …

• Photos (1)