Dupage Policy Journal

The DuPage County Board recently approved the 2016 budget, which includes spending cuts and holds property taxes steady for the eighth consecutive year.

National Retail Federation names Hultgren Hero of Main Street

The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently named U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) a recipient of the group’s Hero of Main Street Award for his record of voting for measures that support small-business growth and the retail sector.

Lipinski aims to ensure highway-funding bill's Buy America provisions retained

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) teamed up recently to strengthen and preserve several Buy America provisions in the recently passed six-year surface-transportation reauthorization bill, which must go through the conference-committee process to reconcile House and Senate versions.

Lombard unveils plans for Bike and Pedestrian Project

The Village of Lombard recently held an open house to present plans to the community for the village’s first-ever Bike and Pedestrian Project, which is currently in development.

Elk Grove newsletter details effects from state's pension-fund mandate on taxes

The Village of Elk Grove recently published a special newsletter for residents and businesses to detail several issues related to the pension-funding problems being faced by the village and other Illinois communities.

State makes collective-bargaining deals with several Chicago-area unions

The Rauner administration said late last week that it has struck new four-year collective bargaining agreements with several labor unions, including Local 1 Chicago, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Mid-Central Illinois Regional Council of Carpenters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, among several others.

Naperville Police effort raises $400 to aid Pets for Vets charity

The Naperville Police Department recently presented a $400 check to the Chicagoland Chapter of Pets for Vets on Veterans Day.

Warrenville celebrates reopening of Williams Road Bridge

The City of Warrenville recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate completion of the reconstruction project on the Williams Road Bridge.

West Chicago Police Pension Fund seeks financial advisers

The city of West Chicago said recently that the West Chicago Police Pension Fund Board has developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) that seeks the services of investment advisers to manage the fund's assets, which total approximately $23.5 million.

Foster praises Aurora chamber, employers for supporting veterans

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) recently recognized the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce for its dedication in giving veterans sustainable employment opportunities in the community.

Kirk co-authors Government Transformation Act to cut waste, inefficiency

U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently introduced the Government Transformation Act, which would mandate the creation of an independent commission to weed out government waste and inefficient practices.

Kirk praises FDA for approving Narcan to help save lives after heroin overdoses

After the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Narcan nasal spray, which can prevent a heroin overdose from killing the user, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) heaped praise on the agency late last week for being proactive in working to prevent such overdose deaths.

Durbin slams GOP efforts to keep Syrian war refugees out of U.S.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke out on the Senate floor late last week against several Republican efforts to halt the flow of Syrian war refugees into the U.S.

Durbin: Consumers should have alternatives to 'payday loans'

Small-dollar loans have become increasingly popular nationwide, with the“payday loan” industry growing so fast that U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently sent a letter to the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, the Illinois Credit Union League and the Illinois League of Financial Institutions, urging them to work with community banks and credit unions to develop alternative lending options for the nearly 12 million Americans who take out such loans annually.

Foster votes with House majority against halting refugee flow into U.S.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) voted with the majority late last week against the American SAFE Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038), which would have temporarily halted any refugees from entering the U.S.

Kirk, other senators call on Obama to ensure Syrian refugees free of ISIS ties

By Andy Jennings | Nov 23, 2015

U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) were the principal signers of a letter signed by 16 senators and sent to President Obama recently, calling for assurances that everything is being done to keep ISIS members or supporters from mixing in with Syrian refugees entering the U.S.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving honors Sandack for legislative work

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Dist. 81) on Wednesday as a Legislator of the Year for his legislative efforts to combat drunk driving on Illinois roads.

Duckworth celebrates ADA's impact, calls for more measures to aid disabled

Earlier this week, a quarter of a century after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was originally signed into law, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke to hundreds of government and business leaders during the opening session of ADA 25 Chicago’s Disability Inclusion Opportunity Summit.

Durbin speaks out against EDMC 'recruitment mill' after settlement

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) released a statement this week in response to the decision by the Department of Justice, Department of Education and states' attorneys general to settle litigation with Education Management Corporation (EDMC) over the company’s alleged use of illegal incentive compensation with recruiters, as well as other deceptive recruitment tactics.

St. Charles Police conduct successful road-safety crackdown initiative