Inside:
- Farm Safety Week
- Mistrial declared in Madigan-related corruption trial
- Good turnout for senior and veterans fair
- Celebrating National Assisted Living Week
Farm Safety Week
This week we are marking Farm Safety Week, a time to focus on the importance of keeping safe on the farm while doing one of the most important yet dangerous jobs in Illinois.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor report that as many as 500 farmers a year are killed in accidents on the farm. Some of the most common hazards are tractor rollovers and grain bin cave-ins, but they are far from the only ones. This time of year it is not uncommon to see slow-moving farm equipment on the roadways. Please be on the lookout for this machinery and please give the operators some space and some patience in order to keep everyone safe.
Farm safety takes on many different aspects, and this year’s commemoration of Farm Safety Week attempts to address them with a different topic each day. Monday was focused on equipment and rural roadway safety, Tuesday looked at health and wellness, Wednesday dealt with generations of farming, while Thursday addressed confined spaces and Friday’s topic is reporting ag injuries.
Find out more about farm safety from the Illinois Department of Agriculture here.
Mistrial declared in Madigan-related corruption trial
A mistrial was declared Thursday afternoon in the federal trial of a former AT&T executive accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Closing arguments were made this week in Chicago. The Justice Department alleges that a deal to end the mandate of landline service didn’t get done until the company agreed to secretly pay thousands to a Madigan associate for a do-nothing contract. The court will meet again next week to determine whether to re-try the case.
Former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza is the defendant in the trial. Prosecutors said in opening statements that the trial is about “a corporate executive paying off the most powerful politician in Illinois to help pass his company’s prized piece of legislation.” The defense characterized La Schiazza’s actions as just business as usual in Springfield.
Evidence focused on Madigan’s immense power over the Illinois House during his reign as speaker, which ended in 2021. La Schiazza referred to him as “King Madigan” and emailed colleagues that “everyone in the system is beholden to the Speaker,” and “he rules the House with an iron fist.”
This spring House Republicans proposed numerous ethics reform bills to clean up the corruption in the Capitol, but none were allowed a hearing or a vote. Madigan is scheduled to stand trial next month.
Good turnout for senior and veterans fair
We had a really good turnout for the senior and veterans fair which I co-hosted in Macomb last week along with Rep. Norine Hammond, McDonough District Hospital, Western Illinois Home Health Care and Spoon River College Community Outreach.
We had dozens of vendors on hand to provide information about their services as well as everything from free blood pressure screenings and tips on healthy living to details on helpful programs for seniors, veterans and their families. Thanks to everyone who attended and thanks to all our vendors for providing so much good information.
Celebrating National Assisted Living Week
I had a great time visiting Hawthorne Inn at Seminary Village in Galesburg to help mark National Assisted Living Week. This year’s theme was “Inspiring Generations.” We shared a lot of inspirational stories over the course of our conversation.
National Assisted Living Week has been recognized for 30 years as a time to salute the role of our assisted living facilities in caring for seniors and those with disabilities. We are fortunate to have so many hard working, devoted people in our district who care for our seniors. Thank you to Hawthorne Inn for the invitation to participate in this year’s celebration.
Driver services offices now accepting digital payments
Secretary of State driver services facilities throughout Illinois are now accepting payment from digital wallet platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
The Secretary of State says the new payment system will improve customer service by leveraging new technology. These digital wallets use information stored on smart phones and similar devices, instead of using plastic credit cards.
Visitors to Secretary of State facilities may still use traditional methods of payment if they so choose.
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