Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) stood with other House lawmakers in voting against the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which passed the House on Wednesday, then was approved by the Senate on Friday.The new budget plan increases the debt ceiling through March 2017, while offering no significant spending cuts to offset the expenditures.

Foster votes with House majority for Surface Transportation Extension Act

By LocalLabs News Service | Oct 30, 2015

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Dist. 11) voted on Tuesday with a House majority for H.R. 3819, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, which extends funding authorization for road-infrastructure projects through Nov. 20. “While I would have preferred this to be a long-term transportation bill, funding for road-construction projects must continue to flow to the states before the construction season is over,” Foster said.

Hultgren votes with House majority for Retail Investor Protection Act

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) voted with a House majority on Tuesday for the Retail Investor Protection Act, which would maintain access for Americans to significant services and advice regarding their retirement.The bill currently is under consideration in the Senate.The Department of Labor recently proposed a rule to raise costs and reduce access to retirement investment counseling for lower-income Americans and small-business employees.

Duckworth votes with House majority to renew Export Import Bank

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8) supported small businesses and job growth in her district on Tuesday when she voted to renew the charter for the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Reauthorizing the bank retains the institution’s authority to finance U.S. companies of all sizes, as well as entrepreneurs.

Itasca begins sidewalk, curb replacement project

The sidewalk-replacement project in Itasca began on Wednesday. The Itasca Public Works Department will restore sidewalks and curbs in front of several Itasca homes, which have been marked as construction zones. The project is expected to take seven days.

Woodridge honored for environmental improvement efforts

The Village of Woodridge was presented with two awards late last week at the Link and Leverage Forum, hosted by Moraine Valley Community College, to honor the village's sustainability efforts. Woodridge received a Silver Award through the Clean Air Counts program and a Certificate of Sustainability Efforts, both presented by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, which represents Chicago-area municipalities.

Durbin, other lawmakers defend same-sex couples in Social Security agency lapse

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and 119 other fellow legislators submitted a letter on Monday to Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Attorney General Loretta Lynch, urging them to ensure that the Supreme Court’s recent landmark same-sex marriage decision is implemented into policy practices and that the Social Security Administration (SSA) treats all marriages equally.

Kirk applauds House passage of Export-Import Bank reauthorization bill

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) released a statement after the House passed the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. Kirk introduced the bill with fellow Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).The senators' bill passed in the Senate in July as an amendment to the DRIVE Act.

Lombard seeks applicants for Local Tourism Grants

The Village of Lombard is seeking grant applications for programs and events that support local tourism and promote the village as a destination for vacations. First-time applicants to the program are invited to submit their application for Local Tourism Grant funds to the Village office by Dec. 17.

Metra gets federal grant to replace rail bridge over Fox River

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8) said on Monday that a $14 million TIGER grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to Metra to replace the rail bridge over the Fox River.

Lipinski's efforts to protect Worth preserve from Army Corps dumping pay off

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Dist. 3) said on Monday that the final step has been implemented to protect the 78-acre Lucas-Berg Preserve in Worth from being used as a dumping site by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for materials dredged from the Cal-Sag Channel.

Aurora Farmers Market gets federal grants to boost access to fresh, local food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded grants totaling $99,965 to the City of Aurora Farmers Market to increase access to fresh and healthy foods -- including produce, dairy, meats and breads -- to low-income families, as well as boost the local agriculture economy.

Cunningham introduces bills to change how college executives are paid

In a continuing effort to slow the increase in college tuition costs, State Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Dist. 18), chairman of the State Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Executive Compensation, recently introduced several bills to change how Illinois’ higher education executives are paid.

Naperville releases traffic-diversion plans for Healthy Driven Marathons

With the third annual Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon less than two weeks away, the City of Naperville has published a guide to street closures and parking restrictions that will be implemented during the highly anticipated event on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Downers Grove releases draft report on effort to preserve historical landmarks

The Village of Downers Grove released a draft report with guidance on bolstering the number of properties that are designated as historical landmarks, thereby avoiding the loss of buildings that are architecturally significant to the community. The report was done by the Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB) and the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Historic Preservation.

Quigley, other lawmakers introduce SEC Small Business Advocate Act