as it appeared in the Naperville Sun
September 14, 2007
By Joe Dunn and Jim Meyer, State Representatives

It is vitally important for the state of Illinois to maintain a solid transportation infrastructure. Whether it's strengthening our mass transit system or ensuring that our roads and bridges are safe, we feel that the state needs to produce a transportation policy that adequately addresses the needs of all our citizens whether they commute via train, bus or car. House Republicans are striving to work with our colleagues to find such an integrated transportation solution.

Our Regional Transit Authority - the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace - play a vital role in the lives of our residents and the state's economy. While there is no doubt that our transit needs must be addressed, SB 572, the state bailout, as it is currently written is not the solution.

While there are certain aspects of the bill that we find encouraging, taken as a whole we have some serious concerns. To begin with, SB 572 does not increase service. There will be no improvement in current suburban routes or availability. Our mass transit system is experiencing its current shortfall in part due to its high employee counts, generous defined benefit pension programs and other bureaucratic inefficiencies that have been growing each year. It is not correct to lay the blame of the current shortfall on the state legislature. It is the actions taken by the leaders in mass transit that got them to where they are now and they must be held accountable prior to giving them more money.

SB 572 would triple the RTA general sales tax in our area, and a significant portion of the money paid by suburban taxpayers would be funneled directly to the CTA. Furthermore, there were no protections in SB 572 that the critical Metra STAR line would be constructed. The STAR line would allow for transportation among the suburbs without having to first travel into Chicago and then back out. With the way Illinois Democrats are currently running state government, it's important that we write this guarantee into state law. Chicago's needs are addressed while the suburbs' are neglected.

The bill also would have increased the amount of money paid to the RTA from the state by $95 million in just the first year alone. This money would be paid to the RTA automatically and does not include a maximum amount. This legislation also would have made mass transit funding an entitlement in the state budget, which means that mass transit would be funded before schools, programs for persons with disabilities, veterans' services, etc.

The suburbs need roadway dollars. IDOT has stated that the current level of funding cannot sustain our roadway infrastructure. Already, 17 percent of the roads that Illinois families are traveling are in "unacceptable" condition. According to the latest National Bridge Inventory from the Federal Highway Administration, 2,449 of Illinois' 29,903 bridges are rated "structurally deficient." The Illinois Congressional delegation has secured $6.2 billion to improve both our roadways and our mass transit systems. Without a capital plan to fund the state's share, these federal roadway dollars could be lost. We agree with Senator Dick Durbin that the General Assembly must act quickly and enact a capital plan in order to secure millions of dollars in federal transportation funds.

We remain committed to working in a bi-partisan manner to enact a comprehensive and responsible capital plan that addresses all of our state's transportation needs.

(8/28/2007) Springfield … Today, the Governor signed into law legislation sponsored by State Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) which will prohibit convicted sex offenders from contacting children under the age of 18 yrs on the Internet.

“Anyone who has watched Dateline: To Catch a Predator has seen how easy it is for sexual predators to prey on our young through MySpace and various chat rooms,” Meyer said. “Restrictions need to be in place so that when a convicted sex offender is released into society they know as part of their parole that they can not communicate with our children.”

The new law, HB 50, will make it a condition of a convicted sex offender’s parole that they cannot communicate or contact children under 18 years of age by means of the Internet. Previously, Illinois law only mandated that convicted sex offenders could not knowingly live within 500 ft of a playground, childcare institution, day care center, or facility providing programs or services for children under the age of 18 years old.

“The internet has increasingly become a tool used by these sexual predators to contact young children. As a grandparent of two grandsons, it is extremely important that we constantly review and implement new measures that will restrict sex offender’s access to our youth,” Meyer said.

Representative Meyer can be contacted at (630) 717-7141.

Local Schools Benefit from Passed Budget

(8/9/2007) Springfield … Higher education along with local school districts will see an increase in funding without raising taxes under a budget that passed today in the House of Representatives. State Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) voted in favor of the budget proposal which includes: $59.9 million increase for higher education; and $600 million overall increase for secondary education, with $136.8 million earmarked for mandated categoricals and a $400 increase in the general state aid foundation level bringing it to $5,734. Funding for these programs would come from a projected $2.2 billion natural growth in state revenue.

“I’m relieved that my local schools will finally see their mandated categoricals – especially special education programs – fully funded,” Meyer said. “This is not necessarily the best budget this state has ever seen, but it will meet our current obligations and more importantly it does not add any new state programs.”

Meyer also noted the importance of the $400 million increase for Medicaid in the budget as part of the State’s commitment to protecting and providing health care assistance to low- and fixed-income families, children, and seniors.

The legislature has been in overtime session since May 31 forcing the legislature to find 3/5 majority-support for a state budget.

“This session has been extremely long and contentious,” Meyer said. “We’ve had to fight against Governor Blagojevich’s $10 billion gross receipts and payroll tax proposal. I’m happy to see that the leaders in the House and Senate were finally able to sit down and propose a responsible budget that does not increase taxes and uses natural revenue growth to increase funding for education.”

Representative Meyer urges that any questions be directed to his office at (630) 717-7141.

(8/8/2007) Naperville … State Representative Jim Meyer today formally announced that he will retire from the Illinois General Assembly when his current term expires in January, 2009. Meyer, who has represented families in DuPage, Will and Cook Counties in the Illinois House for 16 years, said the decision to not seek another term was a very difficult one.

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve my neighbors and my community for many years and I want to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for allowing me to do a job that I have truly loved,” Meyer said. “As difficult as it is to leave, it’s simply time for me to spend more time with my family and I am looking forward to that.”

Meyer, a Republican from Naperville, was first elected to the Illinois House in 1993 following more than a decade of service to the Village of Bolingbrook as a Village Trustee and member of the Village Plan Commission.

In the House, Representative Meyer has made tax relief, fiscal responsibility and job creation top priorities. Meyer was the House Republicans’ chief negotiator on telecommunications reforms passed this spring to increase cable competition for consumers. Meyer co-chaired local hearings on ways to attract jobs to our communities, provide relief from skyrocketing gas prices and resolve our growing pension funding crisis. Legislation passed by Representative Meyer sparked an audit last year that revealed widespread manipulation of jobs data by the governor’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Among new laws Meyer spearheaded are measures that will help keep children in daycare facilities safe from pedophile predators and will prevent convicted sex offenders from contacting minors on the Internet.

What I will miss the most are the people and the process,” Meyer stressed. “I love working with members of the community and my colleagues in the General Assembly to solve a problem. I can’t imagine a better job.”

Fortner, Meyer & Coladipietro Honor 10 Eagle Scouts on House Floor

(7/31/2007) Springfield … Yesterday, ten eagle scouts from Boy Scout Troop 34 were awarded certificates and honored by their local state representatives on the House Floor. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest honor a boy scout can receive. To attain this distinction a boy scout needs to earn 21 merit badges, serve for 6 months in a position of responsibility; plan, develop & execute a service project, write a statement of their ambitions and life purpose, secure recommendation letters and answer questions before an Eagle Board of Review.

“ Only 2% of all boy scouts will ever attain the rank of Eagle Scout. This certainly ranks among the rarest achievements to have 10 boys from one Boy Scout troop attain this rank within the same year,” State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) said.

State Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) said, “I am extremely proud of these young men and I know that the lessons they’ve learned from scouting will help them later in life as they become productive members of society.”

The Eagle Scouts honored for their achievement include: David Thomas Szeszycki , Robert Jerome Olp , Nathaniel Thomas Kinkley , Patrick Franklin Pfeifer , Matthew Ryan Waldersen , Robert Alexander Schumacher , Theodore Daly Szczepaniak , Luke Augustus Szczepaniak , Kevin Joseph Johnson and Adam James Gassensmith.

“It’s phenomenal the amount of time and energy these young men put into serving their community. Some of the service projects they conducted benefited the Morton Arboretum, DuPage Historical Museum, the Downer’s Grove Park District, Johnson Wetland Restoration Project, Cantigny Park & First Division Museum and People’s Resource Center in Wheaton”, said State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale).

Boy Scout Troop 34 was chartered in 1921 and is currently sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, St. Michael’s Church, Wheaton

For additional information, please contact Rep. Fortner at (630) 293-9344.

Government Shut Down Averted

(6/27/2007) Springfield … State Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) announced thatthe state will be able to operate for an additional 30 days under an emergency budget passed by the House today. Legislative leaders came to an agreement over the weekend that would enact a temporary budget keeping state services operating at FY07 levels. In addition, the House Republicans scored a major victory in eliminating $77 million in pork projects from the emergency budget.

“We have avoided a complete government shut down for 30 days, but we are not out of the woods yet,” Meyer said. “The legislative leaders still need to hammer out an agreement for the entire upcoming fiscal year.”

Meyer said that without a budget by July 1 st the state government would be forced to shut down. The legislature has been in session since January, and the Governor has met with the Senate President and Speaker only a handful of times before the scheduled end of session, May 31 st. The Republican leaders from both the House and Senate were not invited to these initial meetings.

The overtime session meetings have included Republican leaders from the Senate and House. However, the Governor has wasted time on other topics such as TIF districts.

Meyer announced that back in May the House Republicans had proposed a “NO Tax Increase” budget. This budget would include a $5 billion capitol program to meet the state’s current pension obligation, create new jobs, and invest in education, roads, and mass transit.

"During the past six months, the Democrat leadership of Governor Blagojevich, Senate President Jones, and Speaker Madigan has failed to put forward a reasonable budget that the State of Illinois can afford,” Meyer said. “On behalf of the working class families of this state, I ask that the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker put aside their differences and come together to produce a responsible budget that cuts pork projects and modestly increases spending for education and transportation.”

Representative Meyer urges that any questions be directed to his office located at 1112 S. Washington, Ste. 10 in Naperville, or call (630) 717-7141.

(6/22/2007) Springfield … With the prospect of state employees not receiving a paycheck, and Medicaid providers not receiving payment, State Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) urges the legislative leaders to adopt the House Republican proposal for a 30-day emergency state budget. This emergency budget would ensure that government services would operate at the bare minimum including reimbursement for Medicaid providers, foster parents, and state employees. The four legislative leaders have already agreed to the concept.

“I am looking for Governor Blagojevich and the rest of the Democratic leadership in this state to stand up and do the unthinkable – lead,” Meyer said. “I am sick and tired of the Democratic leadership in this state putting their egos in front of the problems facing the families in this state. Let’s put aside these petty differences and at the very least agree on a 30-day budget that will keep the basic level of state service functioning.”

The state legislature has been in session since January and has until July 1 st to pass a budget before state services cease. But, the Governor has met with the Senate President and Speaker only a handful of times before May 31 st, the end of regularly scheduled session. The Republican leaders from both the House and Senate initially were not invited to those meetings.

“Governor Blagojevich’s daily flights from Chicago to Springfield have already cost taxpayers more than $76,000,” Meyer added. “To add insult, the Governor has not come to these leadership meetings ready to work on crafting a balanced budget. Instead, he squanders our legislative leaders’ time on topics not relevant to the impending shutdown of state government.”

Meyer noted that in May, the House Republicans had proposed a “NO Tax Increase” budget, which included a $5 billion capitol program to meet the state’s current pension obligation, create new jobs, and invest in education, roads, and mass transit. This proposal was not considered for passage by the Democrat majority.

Representative Meyer urges that any questions be directed to his district office, located at 1112 S. Washington, Ste. 10, Naperville, or call (630) 717-7141.

(4/23/2007) Springfield, IL … Responding to the concerns of local parents, Representative Jim Meyer (R-Naperville) sponsored legislation prohibiting convicted sex offenders from contacting children under the age of 18 years on the Internet.

“The advent of My-Space and chat rooms has made it easier for sexual predators to prey on our children.” Meyer said. “It was through the House Republican My-Space hearings that this issue came up. Restrictions need to be in place so that when a convicted sex offender is released into society they know as part of their parole that they can not communicate with our children.”

HB 50 would make it a condition of a convicted sex offender’s parole that they can not communicate or contact children under 18 years of age by means of the Internet. Current law only mandates that convicted sex offenders can not knowingly living within 500 ft of a playground, child care institution, day care center or facility providing programs or services for children under the age of 18 years old.

“The internet has increasingly become a tool used by these sexual predators to contact young children. As a grandparent of two grandsons, it is extremely important that we constantly review and implement new measures that will restrict sex offender’s access to our young.” Meyer said.

HB 50 now moves advances to the Senate for further consideration. Representative Meyer urges that any questions be directed to his office located at 1112 S. Washington, Ste. 10, Naperville, or call at (630) 717-7141.

• Resurfacing from Four Lakes Ave to 75 th St on IL 53.
• Resurfacing from DuPage Co Line to North of IL 55 on IL 53.
• Reconstruction, additional lanes, and interchange reconstruction from Highview Dr to North of Lucent Entrance on Naperville Rd.
• Additional lanes, bridge widening, and construction engineering from East of Winfield Rd to Naperville Rd on Butterfield Rd.