House Republican Leader Tom Cross

Press Release: Senate confirms Oswego’s Bill Dano to EIU Board

sara — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:06:37 +0000

February 3, 2012

Senate confirms Oswego’s Bill Dano to Eastern IL University Board

(Springfield) This week the Illinois Senate confirmed Governor Quinn’s appointment of William E. Dano III of Oswego to the Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees.

Dano began his professional career in 1988, giving him more than 20 years of business experience in sales management for such companies as Avaya, Fujitsu, Lucent Technologies and AT&T. He currently serves as regional sales director for Extreme Networks.

Dano earned credits at EIU and he received his bachelor’s degree from Aurora University.

“We are very proud of Bill and his experience will be a wonderful asset to the EIU board,” said Cross.

“I’m extremely honored and appreciative for the opportunity to serve on the EIU board of trustees,” said Dano. “It’s truly a great university and one that I’m delighted to represent.”

SJR: Social media use climbing among Illinois legislators

sara — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:58:34 +0000

Social media use climbing among Illinois legislators

By DAVID THOMAS, State Journal-Register

Posted Jan 29, 2012 @ 11:00 PM

…Among House Republicans, Minority Leader Tom Cross also has his own Facebook page, while the caucus itself has its own Twitter page (@ilhousegop). Cross spokeswoman Sara Wojcicki Jimenez said Cross mostly posts about state government issues and articles related to it, but will occasionally give shout-outs to others and sometimes mention his kids.

“He’s really been pretty adamant on putting things on Facebook and keeping that up-to-speed and up-to-date,” Jimenez said.

Click here to read the entire article.

Some articles/news stories about the 1 year tax hike anniversary

sara — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:53:27 +0000

January 12-13, 2011

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120112/BLOGS02/120119905/gops-radogno-cross-call-for-repeal-of-illinois-income-tax-hike#ixzz1jLyZZH00

http://www.wbez.org/story/illinois-republicans-say-pension-reform-top-prioirty-2012-95521#

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/12/republicans-slam-democrats-on-anniversary-of-income-tax-hike/

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/illinois-gop-repeal-quinn-tax-increase-137198748.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-illinois-income-tax-hike-20120113,0,4998060.story

http://plainfield.patch.com/articles/food-pantry-benefits-from-cross-press-conference

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/illinois-income-tax-hike-_n_1202780.html

http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Republicans_Illinois_Tax_Hike_Must_Go_137212698.html?ref=698

http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_5151.shtml

http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=16509099

Cross statement on new House Committee on Pensions Investments

sara — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:55:07 +0000

January 18, 2012

“We applaud the formation of this Special House Committee on Pension Investments. The pension systems in Illinois not only affect the beneficiaries , but every citizen in Illinois. We plan to invite the systems, their investment managers, outside investment experts and others to examine the state’s systems’ current investment strategies and make sure they are in the best interest of all parties. “

This committee was formed by Speaker Madigan Wednesday in response to a letter from Leader Cross regarding pension systems’ investment strategies.

Click here to read the Crain’s article regarding aggressive strategies at one of the state’s systems.

Click here to read the letter Leader Cross sent to Speaker Madigan in December after the article was published.

Click here to read the Speaker’s response to Leader Cross’ letter.

Press Release: llinois’ Financial Situation No Better on 1st Tax Anniversary

sara — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:30:33 +0000

On the one year anniversary of the Democrats’ tax increase on families and employers, State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) said Illinois’ financial situation has not improved, and in fact, is in worse shape than before the tax hike was approved. Cross held a press conference today in Chicago reiterating the need for more fiscal discipline, and much-needed pension and Medicaid reforms to get costs under control.

“In the waning hours and under the cover of night in a lame duck session, Democrats last January imposed the largest tax increase on families and employers in state history,” said Cross. “As a result, in 2011, an average Illinois family of three paid nearly one-thousand dollars more in taxes – that’s a lot of diapers, milk and cans of chicken soup families could have bought instead.”

Cross said promises that the tax increase would reduce the backlog of bills and prevent layoffs were not fulfilled. According to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), Illinois’ backlog of bills remains at around $7 billion and unemployment rose from 9.1% in November 2010 to 10.0% in November 2011 (latest figures available from Illinois Department of Employment Security).

“Obviously, the tax increase was not the solution to our financial crisis. As we warned time and time again, without controlled spending, and the enactment of meaningful structural reforms to our budget, we are simply pouring more money into a bottomless pit,” said Cross.

Cross recently introduced legislation to roll-back the corporate tax to spur jobs and over the past couple of years House Republicans initiated several Medicaid Reform laws that would save taxpayers billions of dollars – unfortunately, Democrats have been slow to implement the reforms. “It’s frustrating for the taxpayers who are being forced to live with less,” said Cross.

The ‘temporary’ tax increase passed by Democrats in January is set to expire in 2015. However, just last week, Governor Quinn speculated in his “Budgeting for Results” report that this tax increase will most likely be permanent based on his revenue and spending estimates in the next three years.

Cross statement on today’s law signing to prevent pension abuse

sara — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:53:36 +0000

“Thanks to Governor Quinn’s actions today, effective immediately, pension abuse can’t run rampant as it has been reported in recent months. As soon as we found out about some of these abuses, we worked quickly with both the House and Senate to pass strong reforms. We will remain vigilant on these issues of abuse as well as tackling the broader systematic funding problems with our pension systems.”

Ovation to Business Award goes to Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique & Have to Have

sara — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:38:55 +0000

(Plainfield) Due to the owner’s passion and service for downtown Plainfield and her businesses’ longevity in downtown Plainfield, despite years of road construction hampering access, Rep. Tom Cross presented January’s Ovation to Business award to Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique & Have to Have in Plainfield this morning.

Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique & Have to Have is owned by Jennifer Potrawski and is located at 24041 and 24043 West Lockport Street in Plainfield.

Potrawski has been a tireless advocate for downtown Plainfield and serves on the board for MainStreet Plainfield—a non-profit organization dedicated to the historic and financial health of downtown.

“Jennifer has completely invested herself and her business in the downtown area and all of the events like Plainfield Fest, Cruise Nights and the list goes on and on,” said Cross. “She is very deserving of the Ovation to Business award.”

Ovation to Business Advisory Board member Anna Trost of Wine & Cheese TCC nominated her neighboring business and complimented her involvement in the downtown area as well on the nomination form.

“MainStreet Plainfield and these events exist through the sole efforts of volunteers and Jennifer has logged more hours than anyone to ensure the success of downtown,” added Trost.

“I love downtown Plainfield. It is a downtown with such charm and that is what attracted me to it,” said Potrawski, while complimenting her husband and staff for striving to offer excellent customer service and exceptional products. “I am honored to have won this award!”

Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique & Have to Have employ eight people and has been in business for 11 years.

Ovation to Business Award Nominations being accepted

You can find and submit the application form on Rep. Cross’ website, www.tomcross.com.

Please nominate a small, medium or large business in the 84th district that is sustaining or growing jobs as well as involved in community service. If you have any questions, please call Lois Maguire at (815) 254-0000.

Cross’ Ovation to Business Advisory Committee will also submits nominations. It will review all the applications and make award recipient recommendations.

Press Release: Be aware of new laws Jan. 2012

sara — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:18:55 +0000

December 31, 2011

Plainfield, IL…State Representative Tom Cross (R-Oswego) would like local residents to know that on New Year’s Day more than 200 new laws will go into effect and some may impact our everyday lives.

“Many of the new laws that go into effect on January 1st will make our community safer and impose stricter penalties for those who commit crimes,” said Cross. “The new laws range from requiring everyone in the car to wear a seat belt to a new registry that will inform citizens if first degree murderers live in the area.”

A Few of the New Laws:

One new law starting on January 1st requires every driver and passenger in a motor vehicle to buckle up, previously only those in the front seat where required to wear a seat belt.

Illinois is also the first state to create a first Degree Murderers Registry, which just like the Sex Offender Registry will allow people starting on January 1st to search their communities online athttp://www.isp.state.il.us/cmvo/.

“The First Degree Murderers Registry known as Andrea’s Law was created after a college student was murdered and her killer was released on a technicality after just ten years,” said Cross. “Many other states are looking to model similar registries after Illinois.”

Also starting Sunday, House Bill 3281 will allow school boards and administrators to suspend or expel a student if that student threatens a school employee, another student or any school related personnel on the Internet or any social networking websites.

Also taking effect in January is House Bill 3172 which reduces the license plate fees for those who have served our country in the military.

Local law enforcement agencies are now authorized to collect pharmaceuticals from residents and incinerate the collected pharmaceuticals in a responsible manner.

“This legislation will allow unused prescription to be disposed of safely so they do not end up in the wrong hands or our water supply,” said Cross.

Stricter penalties will also be imposed for sex offenders who possess child pornography. The bill provides that possession of more than one of the same film, videotape or visual reproduction or depiction by computer in which child pornography is depicted is a Class X felony, punishable by no less than 9 years and not more than 40 years in prison. Under current law, the possession of child pornography is only a Class 3 felony, with a sentence of 2-5 years in prison and a fine between $1,000 and $10,000.

Hospitals must now develop a policy regarding the risk of injury to patients and nurses and other health care workers associated with the movement of a patient include fostering and maintaining patient safety, dignity, self-determination, and choice.

For more information on new laws going into effect January 1st visit news.ilhousegop.org orilga.gov.

Crain’s: Cross calls for committee meeting over Illinois’ TRS pension strategy

sara — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:07:39 +0000

December 21, 2011

(Crain’s) — Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross called for a meeting of the House Personnel and Pensions Committee in the next month to examine a new investment strategy by the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System that directs about a third of its $37.8 billion in assets to alternative investments such as private equity and hedge funds.

Mr. Cross, whose party is in the minority in the House, made the request in a letter to Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday, saying the TRS plan to boost investment income could backfire.

Click here to read the entire article.

Articles related to our corporate tax roll back proposal

sara — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:23:06 +0000

December 15, 2011

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111214/news/712149831/

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1466795377/House-Republican-leader-proposes-corporate-tax-repeal

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-illinois-corporate-income-tax-20111215,0,4957777.story

http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/IL_Dems_GOP_Race_to_End_Corporate_Tax_Hikes_135634783.html

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/more-tax-breaks-for-illinois-businesses-on-horizon/article_868b1820-2684-11e1-9394-001871e3ce6c.html

http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=16326527

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/in-the-wake-of-corporate-extortion-illinois-lawmakers-want-to/article_424e4300-2678-11e1-b8ad-001a4bcf6878.html