Inside:
- Voting No on Constitutional amendment for partisan gerrymandering
- Illinois’ unemployment rate hits 5%
- House passes bill to ban cell phone use in schools
- Reminder: Free Veterans and Senior Fair in Galesburg next Wednesday
Voting No on Constitutional amendment for partisan gerrymandering
This week I voted against a proposed Constitutional amendment which would enshrine partisan gerrymandering in the state Constitution.
Illinoisans are living under some of the most unfair, gerrymandered legislative district maps in the country. This proposed amendment would only make things worse.
The proposed amendment would permanently embed one of the most flawed and partisan mapmaking systems in the country into the Illinois Constitution. It would allow the majority party to draw its own legislative districts to protect their power, causing voters to lose their voice in government. It was passed on a party line vote.
A concern with the change is that currently a district must be contiguous or completely attached to form the district. Under the proposed amendment, as long as the district is of equal population, a portion of a district could be located in western Illinois and another portion in northeastern Illinois. It is a matter of legislators selecting their voters instead of voters selecting their legislator.
By contrast, House Republicans have proposed a Constitutional amendment which would put redistricting in the hands of a bipartisan commission.
Illinois’ unemployment rate hits 5%
Unemployment in Illinois rose to 5% in February according to a report issued by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The state unemployment rate increased 0.1% from its revised January figure of 4.9% and was a 0.3% increase from the same time one year ago. Total non-farm jobs fell by 17,800 in February. January’s numbers were also revised to reflect a gain of only 6200 jobs, as compared to the 18,000 which were initially reported.
Those industry sectors which showed the largest decline in jobs were Construction (down by 4900 jobs) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (off by 4800). The largest increases were in Government (up by 800) and Other Services (an increase of 700 jobs).
The total number of Illinoisans who were unemployed in February was 328,000, a 3% increase from January and a 5.6% increase from the same time a year ago.
House passes bill to ban cell phone use in schools
Legislation which largely prohibits students from using cell phones in schools passed the House last Thursday night.
The bill bans cell phone use by students in elementary and middle schools throughout the entire day. High school students would still be able to use phones during breaks and at lunchtime. Certain other exceptions, such as medical necessity or individualized education programs are also included.
Illinois will join more than 40 other states in implementing limits on student cell phone usage in schools. The bill was first introduced last year, and this week’s vote followed a long discussion on bullying, anxiety, distraction and other detrimental aspects of student use of cell phones.
Many Superintendents, school administrators and board members reached out to express their support for the ban. The House vote was 102-3 in support of the bill. It now goes to the Senate.
Reminder: FREE Veterans and Senior Fair in Galesburg next Wednesday
Our Veteran and Senior Fair is coming up on Wednesday April 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Vault, 185 S. Kellogg Street, Galesburg. The Carriage House will provide a free continental breakfast.
The Illinois Lions Club Hearing and Screening Bus will be available to provide services.
Loren’s Barbershop and BZ’s Chopshop will offer free haircuts to veterans.
We will be collecting donated canned food items to help support the newly established Knox County Veterans Assistance Commission Pantry.
Please mark your calendar. I hope to see you there!
The event is free and open to the public.
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