Press Release: Senate confirms Oswego’s Bill Dano to EIU Board
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.”
Cross statement on new House Committee on Pensions Investments
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
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
“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
(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.