McAsey Gives Legislative Update During Town Hall Meeting

A handful of residents turned out Tuesday for what State Rep. Emily McAsey, D-Lockport, called her third annual town hall meeting at Romeoville’s village hall.

McAsey kicked things off by giving residents an update on what legislators have been up to in Springfield this year.

Their “greatest challenge”? Crafting the state budget, of course.

McAsey highlighted legislation she’s supported to reform the budget process, including House Resolution 110, which sets a spending cap that prohibits lawmakers from spending beyond the state’s revenues.

“Spending limits have to be based on actual revenues,” McAsey added, saying lawmakers are pushing for reforms that prevent the state from budgeting to spend money that may never materialize, such as proposed taxes that never make it to the governor’s desk.

Other initiatives backed by McAsey this year:

• Senate Bill 0007, which amends the Illinois School Code; among other changes, the bill impacts that way teachers are evaluated; McAsey called the bill a “reform package” to ensure the state gets “the very best teachers.”
• Legislation requiring hospitals to provide new parents with information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices; child care providers are also required to complete professional development training preventing SIDS deaths. McAsey said the bills were inspired by a Crest Hill family’s tragic loss of their infant daughter.
• , which urges Gov. Pat Quinn to sign a bill allowing Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lemont, Homer Glen and Woodridge to create a water agency.
• Legislation allowing law enforcement agencies to pursue child pornographers more efficiently by enabling them to subpoena Internet service providers for records.
• Changes that give Illinois power of attorney laws “more teeth,” McAsey said, to prevent financial exploitation of the elderly.

After the crash course in state government, McAsey fielded questions from residents, with hot topics including the debt ceiling debate and what impact, if any, it could have on state government. She also fielded questions about tax breaks given to major corporations like Caterpillar Inc., which recently threatened to leave the state over Illinois taxes.

“I don’t want major employers in our state up and leaving because they think there’s a better deal somewhere else,” McAsey said, adding legislators are working on reforms aimed at keeping businesses in Illinois.

'Let me know what's on your mind'

McAsey also previewed several upcoming events, including a Senior Celebration, intended to link area seniors with local resources, on Sept. 30 at the Romeoville Recreation Center.

A “Shred Day,” allowing residents to have documents destroyed safely, is also in the works, along with a mortgage relief program to help struggling homeowners connect with agencies that can offer assistance and avoid scams. More details on those events will be released as planning gets under way.

McAsey also hosted town hall meetings last week in Bolingbrook and Crest Hill.

In January, she opened her new constituent services office at 416 N. Weber Road in Romeoville.

She urged residents to contact the office with any questions or concerns they may have.

“Let me know what’s on your mind,” McAsey said.

The office can be reached at 815-372-0085.