Community News
Rotary hears from State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal
“The State is broke”
The Area Rotary met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 24th at Toni’s Restaurant in Benld. Wayne Rosenthal, the 98th district representative for the State of Illinois, updated the Rotary on what is going on at the state level and answered all of the questions thrown at him by numerous Rotarians.
Rosenthal, who resides in Morrisonville, attempted to keep it short until questions exploded from the fifteen people in the audience. Getting elected just last year, republican Rosenthal has not spent much time in the general assembly.
To start the discussion, Wayne started on a soft note and explained to everyone that the state is broke. “I do not expect that to change any time soon,” Rosenthal started, “Last year our budget was pretty tight and this year we are still 4-8 billion dollars behind in paying our bills.” The State of Illinois expects another 4-6 billion dollars worth of bills and no more revenue, according to comptroller Topinka.
He went on to say that he expects the House to craft a budget on projected revenues as done for the 2011 year. “If we would have been doing that the last 10 years, we would not be in this mess we are currently in,” Rosenthal said as he chuckled.
Pensions could be brought up again, according to Rosenthal, because the plan is to make the pensions sustainable in the future for all state workers, teachers, and everyone else concerned. “We need to make sure they are there, but figure out how we are going to fund them,” Wayne explained, “It is an ongoing battle.” He went on to say he anticipates changes with the teachers union and he believes the teachers should represent themselves in the argument because “it isn’t right for legislatures to dictate how it is going to be without proper representation from the IEA and IFT.”
Wayne explained further of why there is no money in the pension fund. New legislation is introduced and, regardless of what it is, it is hard to vote against it and say it is not true when the facts are there and it is true. Legislators don’t think about paying for it before hand and just assume the general fund will cover these programs whether it be for the elderly or the veterans. Then, at the end of the year, the general fund is out of money. “Now what?” Wayne questioned, “They borrow from the pension funds and after they consistently did that, the pension fund is broke. Now, those guys are gone and the problem lies with us.”
After being questioned how to stop the Chicago influence, Wayne answered the best way would be to continue have people from downstate represented. Speaker Madigan has majority of the control, Rosenthal explained, and Madigan basically controls the agenda. During the last session, Wayne explained he was sitting in the back of the chambers and was wondering why the talk of paying bills was never brought up. The reason why the bills weren’t brought up was because the meeting is speaker driven and the only discussion items are from Madigan.
“The State of Illinois is controlled by only two or three individuals,” Rosenthal established, “They are President Cullerton, Speaker Madigan, and the governor.” Those three just control the whole thing and Wayne has no clue how the state will get out of it.
“So we will continue to be the second most corrupt State in the U.S.,” questioned an individual from the audience. “I mean, yes. I don’t know what we can do to get out of it,” Wayne responded hesitatingly, “Everyone heard we got downgraded on our bond rating again. One of the things discussed in Springfield is: as long as we can borrow money, we aren’t broke.” Rosenthal went on to say this shocked him, but explained that is how it is viewed up there.
Rosenthal went on to say that Illinois has the worst bond rating out of all the states. “We are down to almost nothing,” he explained, “And back to the old picture, their feeling is if we can sell bonds – we are not broke. They just don’t get it.”
He then went on to explain that Illinois lies in heart of the United States and has great resources to our advantage. “We just need to get the government out of our way and start taking advantage of the resources we are bless with. Then we can create jobs and put people back to work!”
Another problem Rosenthal explained about the government is there is a big line separating how we grew up and the folks in Chicago grew up. “We look around and prefer to take care of ourself without the government. We would survive very well and be very efficient while they [leaders from Chicago] look around and see big buildings while living in the rat race. They see the corporations and want them to pay for everything, but they don’t realize that the people are different when they come down here.”
The biggest disconnection Rosenthal sees is: the State thinks if the rates are raised it equates to more revenue. He went on to explain that it is not always the case and is not necessarily true. If we gain money, we lose jobs because people exit the state. “Until we can create a better business environment and attract businesses, we will not gain the revenue to pay for the programs we want and desire,” Wayne pushed, “We cannot make enough cuts right now.” The state would not have enough money even if the people were taxed to death, according to Wayne.
The problem is a trickle down thing that affects counties and municipalities. “Every place you go, water systems are in need of repair or sewer systems are in need of repair,” Rosenthal explained. The state does not have any money to help the villages or cities repair these problems because “we are essentially broke.”
Rosenthal went on to explain that the governor, Pat Quinn, cut 9% on each departments budgets. The question now stuck with Rosenthal is what do you do now? “One of things I have done and the first piece of legislation that was passed was the baths salts last year,” Rosenthal stated, “And we have found that the synthetic drugs are just changed a tiny bit and pushed back on the market.” Rosenthal said he has talked to Larry Pfeiffer, who is the ROE for the 98th district, and Wayne is going to continue to pass legislation to ban synthetic drugs.
In the spring session, he expects concealed carry to be brought up again. That State Sportsman Caucus told NRA if the lawsuit does not get settled in Chicago, the State will pass some type of legislation that will exempt Cook County or the City of Chicago and “[I] would be pretty optimistic that we would pass concealed carry that way.”
Comments
FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
Comments
Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
Comments
FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
Comments
