Senate Republicans joined together in support of a resolution to oppose a graduated tax system that has been proposed by some candidates for statewide office.

New legislation filed this week would allow residents in Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) counties to lower their property tax bills via referendum, an ability that is currently only given to residents in non-PTELL counties.

Disabled veterans who qualified for property tax relief through the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption would qualify for a pro-rated break if they move into their home after the first of the year.

The Illinois Senate passed legislation April 11 co-sponsored by State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) that would financially help the Tuscola School District to the tune of $173,301.

The Illinois Senate passed legislation April 11 co-sponsored by State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) that would financially help the Monticello School District to the tune of $718,023.

A package of legislation sponsored by State Sen. Chapin Rose to strengthen oversight of natural gas storage sites below ground, and strengthen notice requirements if a natural gas leak occurred below ground in a storage facility, passed a Senate Committee April 12.

With seven weeks remaining on the spring session calendar, Governor Bruce Rauner held a meeting with the four legislative leaders to discuss the parameters and need for a balanced budget that does not include any new taxes. Specifically, he asked that each caucus certify its revenue estimates, support a full-year balanced budget, ensure revenues equal or exceed expenditures (as required by law) and include no tax increases.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing the launch of its Opioid Data Dashboard, an innovative way to access data on opioid overdoses and deaths. The Opioid Data Dashboard is an interactive website that offers information on how opioids are affecting people in Illinois.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) visited Arthur, Arcola, and Tuscola March 4, talking with business leaders, economic development leaders, and local officials about how Douglas County can use its Enterprise Zone designation as a marketing tool to recruit job creators to the area.

The Joint Senate/House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment is continuing to meet as part of a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment in the public and private sectors.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is warning people about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, after six people in northern Illinois who used synthetic cannabinoids suffered severe bleeding. All reported using synthetic cannabinoids, often called fake weed, K2, and spice.

Organizers of the Illinois Bicentennial celebration are hoping to make 2018 a record year for volunteerism and community engagement. The group encourages all Illinois organizations and volunteers to make a similar commitment.

Senate Republicans remain adamant that Illinois’ future growth cannot be based on a tax-and-spend system, urging lawmakers to stop outspending revenue and doing more to undercut the crushing burdens placed on the backs of Illinois’ taxpayers and businesses.

A bipartisan Legislative Public Safety Group has been created from members of all four legislative caucuses to work with the Administration on furthering progress in a number of public safety areas.

As part of the response to Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the Quincy-based Illinois Veterans’ Home, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner recently announced plans to explore building a new facility on the Quincy campus.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced March 14 that the site of the state-owned Eagle Creek Resort in Shelby County is now officially open for vendors to submit a development proposal to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

More light was shed on the state’s sweeping opioid epidemic, as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that last year Illinois emergency rooms experienced a 66 percent spike in opioid overdoses.

The Senate and House Veterans Affairs Committees met for the fourth time to resume their conversations with new data about the outbreaks and sequence of events at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy. The meeting took place at the Bilandic Building in Chicago on March 5.

The Senate Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Awareness and Prevention met for a very sensitive matter that involves an open investigation on sexual harassment at a multinational company.

The Senate also passed legislation (Senate Bill 1773 and Senate Bill 1573) to update a Medicaid assessment system that ensures that hospitals across the state will continue to receive federal funding. The program is fully financed by hospitals and the federal government—there is no cost to the state.

The Senate advanced legislation seeking to increase participation of medical professionals in the program that would place epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) in the hands of law enforcement across the state.

Sen. Rose is sponsoring legislation that could prevent people with the wrong intentions from purchasing retention ponds in Illinois subdivisions. Rose’s legislation (SB 3085) is in response to a 2017 incident where a suburban Chicago company called Nasty Joe’s LLC swooped in and purchased two retention ponds in the Timberline Valley South subdivision in Champaign. The purchase occurred without the knowledge of homeowners in the subdivision. Nasty Joe’s then threatened to use the ponds for catfis

Spending cuts, pension reform, and prioritizing education are a few items that make up the Governor’s balanced budget, which he presented to the General Assembly Feb. 14 during his annual budget address.

Gov. Rauner has ordered all entities governed by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly both the United States and Illinois state flags at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer.

Legislation approved this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee would protect law enforcement officers and medical professionals from liability when they use EpiPens in emergencies.