WJBC: Quinn signs concussions legislation
July 28, 2011
Quinn signs concussions legislation
Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill into law today at Chicago’s Soldier Field. It ensures that athletes who receive a concussion will not be allowed to return to play or practice until they are evaluated and receive written permission from a licensed health professional. The law also requires student athletes, their parents and coaches to recognize signs of a concussion. The legislation was sponsored in the Illinois House by Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego).
“We are hopeful that this new law will raise awareness for our youth in Illinois when it comes to these devastating and sometimes fatal head injuries,” Cross said.
Read the whole story by clicking here.
Tribune: Assembly GOP leaders sue over Democrats’ redistricting map
Assembly GOP leaders sue over Democrats’ redistricting map
‘Bizarre shapes’ of districts target GOP, discriminate against minorities, suit alleges
By Rick Pearson, Tribune reporter
July 21, 2011
Republican legislative leaders filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging the new Democratic-drawn map of the state’s House and Senate districts, alleging it unfairly targets the GOP and discriminates against African-Americans and Hispanics.
The lawsuit by Senate GOP leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont, and House Republican leader Tom Cross, of Oswego, reflects their concern that the redistricting plan will keep their party out of power in the General Assembly for another decade.
“The bizarre shapes of several districts … is in furtherance of a deliberate attempt to enhance Democrats’ prospects for re-election and target Republicans to prevent their re-election,” the suit stated. Many districts were intended to “slither across traditional lines in order to place multiple incumbent Republicans into one district,” according to the suit.
Read the entire articly by clicking here.
Here are links to many other stories on this topic:
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/republican-56828-lawsuit-district.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/20/illinois-redistricting-st_n_904753.html
http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/
http://www.nwherald.com/2011/07/20/ill-gop-files-suit-to-nullify-remap/amtix2y/
http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/6622/gop-file-lawsuit-against-new-political-map/
http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=15115952
ABCNews7: Roadside memorial honors victim of distracted driving
Roadside memorial honors victim of distracted driving
The Miller family helped push legislation that allows roadside memorials in Illinois for the victims of distracted drivers.
Five-year-old Adam Miller was killed in 2008 by a distracted driver when the family’s car was disabled along a street in Naperville. The family is also calling on tougher penalties for distracted drivers.
Click here to watch the video story from ABC.
SJR: In My View: State must be more friendly to business
Jul 16, 2011
In My View: State must be more friendly to business
By TOM CROSS
We have made some progress here in Illinois as it relates to fiscal responsibility. For the first time in a decade, we passed a balanced budget. Republicans and Democrats sat down together and came up with a conservative revenue estimate and voted to only spend as much money as we estimate to collect. We also voted to spend any additional money that comes in above our estimate on past due bills.
This is a step in the right direction, but balanced budgets must become a way of life.
One of our major priorities that has not become a way of life yet in Illinois is opening our arms to the business community and passing legislation that will help them create a jobs climate that is thriving. Creating private sector jobs will be the only way that our state’s economy will ever truly recover.
Click here to read the entire opinion piece in the State Journal Register.
Naperville Sun: Roadside memorial program launches with sign honoring local 5-year-old
July 15, 2011
Roadside memorial program launches with sign honoring local 5-year-old
By Susan Frick Carlman
Thursday was Adam Miller’s birthday. His mom, Cheryl, commemorated the occasion by picking up a bundle of helium balloons. She affixed them to a tree near Builta Elementary School, the District 204 campus in Bolingbrook that Adam attended.
Adam wasn’t there. The little boy — known for his ebullient nature; his love of trains, exceeded only by his love for his baby brother; his habit of walking on tip-toes because he was too excited to keep his feet flat on the ground — died in November 2008. He was buckled securely in the back seat of his family’s disabled car when it was rear-ended by a driver who had glanced away for a moment on Plainfield-Naperville Road. Police concluded the impact was made with no braking, at 55 mph.
On what would have been his first day as an 8-year-old, Adam’s mom and dad, John, and their son Eli, 4, gathered with local elected officials, friends and fellow activists at Naperville’s Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, not far from the collision site. The event was held to unveil the first of what likely will be too many roadside markers honoring the memory of people who have died as a result of distracted driving.
…
“Cheryl was as persistent as anyone could be in pushing us in Springfield,” said state Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego), the House minority leader.
Cross said he often runs or rides his bike alongside roads, and is startled when a vehicle seems to be veering his way. Then he realizes the driver is looking down at a cell phone or other distraction. He acknowledges the challenge of changing behavior.
“There are always still going to be people doing it,” he said.
Click here to read the entire article.