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.”

“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.

“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.

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.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, State Rep. Cross warn retailers about synthetic marijuana ban January 1st

SHOREWOOD – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and House Minority Leader Tom Cross are warning retailers that selling any product containing synthetic marijuana will be illegal under a new law that takes effect on January 1, 2012.

State’s Attorney Glasgow researched and drafted the law that makes the sale or possession of synthetic marijuana a felony crime. Rep. Cross sponsored the legislation, HB 2595, which the governor signed earlier this year. Glasgow and Cross were joined by local police chiefs and community leaders in urging retailers to acknowledge the new law and stop selling these products.

Here are some examples of synthetic marijuana products that will be banned under new law.

Synthetic marijuana has been sold legally under brand names such as K2, K4 White Widow, Black Mamba, Spice, Purple Haze, Zombie Matter and Orange Krunck to name a few. They are sold as incense in packages that often state: “Not For Human Consumption.”

However, consumers have been smoking these products – sometimes with encouragement from shop owners – in the same way people would smoke illegal marijuana. Health risks posed by smoking synthetic cannabinoids include seizures, hallucinations, tremors, paranoia, convulsions, high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Poison control centers across the country have received more than 5,000 calls related to synthetic marijuana products in the first nine months of 2011, according to published reports.

“Over-the-counter availability of synthetic marijuana has created a public-health crisis in Will County and across the nation,” Glagsow said. “Young people are being poisoned by these extraordinarily dangerous chemicals. It was our obligation as law enforcement officials and as legislators to pass a law banning the possession and sale of every form of synthetic marijuana in Illinois.”

“With access to these dangerous substances, the safety of our children and consumers is at stake,” said Rep. Cross. “That is why we acted so quickly when we learned people were getting sick after abusing these items and banned these substances through legislation this Spring.”

Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow and Rep. Tom Cross warn retailers and the public about new synthetic marijuana ban that goes into effect January 1, 2012.

Under the new law:

• All known synthetic marijuana products will be classified as an illegal Schedule 1 controlled substance. Laws were being enacted that outlawed only some chemical formulas for synthetic marijuana, but allowed the continued sale of substitute formulas. The new law comprehensively bans all currently available substances and covers more than 160 formulas.

• Anyone who sells products containing synthetic marijuana could be charged with a Class 3 Felony that upon conviction carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to a $150,000 fine and the seizure of illegal stock as well as any property used to facilitate the sale. However, penalties can range as high as 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines for someone who sells 200 grams or more of  synthetic marijuana.

• Anyone who simply possesses synthetic marijuana could be charged with a Class 4 Felony that carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office will work with local police agencies in January to make certain that retailers are complying with Illinois law. Officers – in uniform or undercover – will visit tobacco retailers throughout the county to ensure that these illegal products are not being sold. Last week, Glasgow and Cross sent letters to more than 350 tobacco merchants notifying them of the new law and warning them to remove the stock from their shelves.

Some states have passed laws banning a few of the literally hundreds of formulas for synthetic marijuana. A sophisticated industry has developed in which suppliers track legislation and skirt the intent of lawmakers by shipping formulas that are not banned in particular states. House Bill 2595 was reviewed by the Illinois State Crime Lab and will outlaw all synthetic marijuana compounds in Illinois.

“It has been nearly a year since the Democrats passed their tax increases, and it is no surprise how our business community has reacted. Just Monday, we worked with the majority party to pass legislation to keep a few major employers here in Illinois, but it is only a matter of time before more companies come knocking at our door looking for relief . The days of special tax deals need to end,” said Cross. “A better solution is to speed up the expiration of the Democrats’ tax hike.”

Leader Cross, fellow House Republicans and business leaders host a press conference on rolling back the corporate income tax hike on December 14, 2012 outside the House Chambers at the Capitol in Springfield.

House Bill 3918 takes a two-pronged approach to reducing Illinois’ business taxes:

1. Accelerates the expiration of the temporary corporate income tax increase. For income earned during calendar 2013 the rate declines from 7% to 6% and for income earned during calendar 2014 the rate would further decline to 4.8%.

2. Effective immediately the corporate income tax would be reduced by 0.25% anytime the Illinois unemployment rate increases by .3% in a four month span. For example, if the unemployment rate in January was 10% and in April it was 10.3% than this provision would take effect. At no point would the corporate income tax be less than 4.8% (the tax before Public Act 96-1496).

Without HB 3918, the Democrats’ temporary corporate income tax increase is set to expire January 1, 2025.

“Unemployment in Illinois has increased 1.1 percent since the Democrats imposed this tax in January,” said State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville). “Under our bill if unemployment goes up over a four month period, it triggers the corporate income tax rate to go down by a quarter percent. It is our hope that business would use the extra resources to hire more employees.”

House Republicans believe HB 3918 is needed to produce a better business climate in Illinois and what is lost in tax receipts to the state will be replaced with a gain in new employment and a broader tax base.

“As a state, we need to be proactive in implementing sound, pro-business policies that reassure our business community that we want and need them in our state,” said State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield). “The corporate income tax increase the Democrats passed last year has had the opposite effect. We need to reverse that trend by rolling back the corporate income tax increase to prove to our business community that we truly value their economic contributions to our state.”

“The competition for jobs is fierce; and today we’re not only competing with our neighboring states for employers who provide good jobs, we’re also competing with other countries around the world. The jobs package we passed this week will help, but we won’t succeed if we’re continuing to do damage control one or two businesses at a time. We need to enact policies that will make Illinois a better place to operate for all businesses. Accelerating the roll back of the disastrous January corporate income tax increase is a very necessary step,” said State Representative Dan Brady (R-Bloomington).

“Jobs, jobs, jobs. We need jobs. With double digit unemployment throughout the state, families are suffering,” said State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro). “We need to make Illinois a place where business is encouraged to grow and succeed.”

“We need broad-based tax reform, and accelerating the expiration of the tax hike will help all employers in the state of Illinois. It has become abundantly clear that the tax hike passed hours before I was sworn in in January has been beyond disastrous,” said State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria).

House Bill 3918 is supported by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Illinois Retail Merchant Association, the State Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Illinois Policy Institute.

“Imposing one of the highest corporate income tax rates in the county is unacceptable. Leader Cross is right to pursue competitive tax policy as a means to promote job growth, encourage investment and restore prosperity to Illinois. The Illinois Chamber is encouraged by legislative initiatives that recognize the importance of demonstrating to employers and investors that Illinois governments are conscious of the need to improve the state’s business climate by reversing course on the job killing tax increases we’ve seen in recent years,” said Doug Whitley President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber.

“Since the Democrats’ $7 billion tax hike in January, 70,000 more Illinoisans have found themselves on the unemployment rolls. Illinois will not experience an economic turnaround until the state has a better business climate — one that frees existing and new entrepreneurs from the yoke of heavy taxes. The Illinois Policy Institute urges the repeal of all the January tax hikes; Leader Cross’s bold bill to roll back the corporate tax hike is good policy. Passage of this bill would send a strong message to employers statewide and across the nation that Illinois once again will be a place for growth and opportunity,” said Policy Institute CEO John Tillman.

“We would love to simply repeal the Democrats’ tax increase and have had a bill on file to do just that, but there is no support for this by the majority party. We believe this is a concept that might be agreeable to them,” Cross said.

Rep. Cross’ December Ovation to Business Award goes to Larry’s Diner! 

Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and his Ovation to Business Advisory Committee presented December’s Ovation to Business award to Larry’s Diner in Plainfield this morning because of its commitment to jobs and community service in the area. 

Larry’s Diner is located at 25422 W. Lockport Street in Plainfield.  It has been in business for 18 years and employs 35 people.  

Rep. Tom Cross presents Ovation to Business Award to Kostos (Gus) Alexopoulos, owner of Larry’s Diner on Monday, December 5, 2011 in Plainfield. From Left to Right, Front row: Rep. Tom Cross, Kostos (Gus) Alexopoulos, Christine Alexopoulos, Liz Collins,Cathy Kuchenbecker. Back row: Rob Epley, Tim Stetenfeld, Toula Tsirigotakis, Maria Alexakis, Milton Alexakis.

“Larry’s Diner has offered free Thanksgiving dinners to seniors in our area for years and this year was extremely busy,” said Cross. “In addition to great food and service, Owner Kostos (Gus) Alexopoulos tries to donate and get involved in as many community service projects as he can.” 

Larry’s Diner donates food to the local police and fire departments for pancake breakfasts, supports many Plainfield schools activities and sponsors numerous youth sports programs including football, soccer and baseball.  

“As part of our mission as a business in the community, it is so important to be supportive of different organizations, schools and leagues including our churches like St. Spyribon Greek Orthodox Church, in Palos Heights,” said Alexopoulous.  “We are grateful to Rep. Cross and the honor of the Ovation to Business Award today.” 

“Gus never turns an organization or person away that asks for a donation. He is very, very generous to the Plainfield community,” added Cross. 

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 review the applications and make award recipient recommendations.

Leader Cross’ bill to curb pension abuses heads to the Governor

HB3813 prohibits public employees from earning public pensions while on union leaves of absence 

(Springfield) Working with members of both the House and Senate, Leader Cross’ bill aimed at attacking pension abuses heads to the Governor’s desk with near unanimous approval today. 

“The Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV and other media outlets exposed gross abuses in some of the state’s pension funds and systems—and we worked hard to fix those past problems and prevent them in the future,” said Cross.  “This legislation protects the taxpayers who are helping to fund the pension funds and ultimately those who deserve a fair pension.” If Governor Quinn signs this legislation, several areas of the pension code will be changed: 

• From the effective date forward, it will prohibit future and current public employees (who have not yet taken a leave of absence) from earning credit in their pension fund while on a leave of absence working for their union.   
• If a public employee is currently on a leave of absence, he or she will be prohibited from earning pension credit in both a public and union pension fund for the same time worked. 
• Another provision in this bill requires state pension fund or retirement system board members and directors to report reasonable suspicion of fraud to the local State’s Attorney’s office.  If a board member or director fails to report, he or she will be held liable for repaying any losses incurred by the fund because of the fraud and/or be removed from his or her position. 
• The final provision retroactively repeals a “6 month window” that was implemented in 2007 to allow a union worker to become a substitute teacher for a day and earn and pay for pension credit in the Teacher’s Retirement System.  It will require a refund of the “window” participants’ contributions along with any earned interest. 

If signed by the Governor, this bill will go into effect immediately.