Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kirk and his family. I was shocked and saddened by the news about his stroke this morning, but knowing Mark; his strength and courage will help him get well fast. My wife Rita and I join together with the residents of the 53rd district in wishing the Senator a speedy recovery.

Sid

Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) sponsored and passed House Bill 3281 which became a state law on January 1, 2012. HB 3281 is a measure that would allow any school board in Illinois to expel a student for gross disobedience of misconduct perpetuated by electronic means. According to Mathias, Social networking sites have led to an increased number of incidents where students are bullied, negatively impacting their efforts and focus on education. This measure changes the Illinois School Code to give authority to local boards to take action against students who engage in this behavior.

Click Here for the full interview with WTAX’s Bob Murray…..

Whether they use Facebook, Twitter or a blog to do it, students who make online threats against other students or school staff face suspension or explusion under a new Illinois law that took effect Sunday.

House Bill 3281, which passed in August, is the latest attempt to tackle the growing problem of online bullying, according to its supporters…..

The law allows administrators to discipline students who make any online threat that “could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to the safety and security” of another student or staff member.

It was needed because existing laws “weren’t specific enough,” bill sponsor state Rep. Sidney Matthias said. “We’re making it clear to students that this is unacceptable behavior,” he added. Continue reading at Chicago Sun-Times….

As families and loved ones gather across the 53rd district over the coming days to celebrate the holidays, I want to extend my season’s greetings to you and your family. I hope this holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and reflection. During this time of year, our thoughts and prayers turn to the men and women or our armed forces, and certainly their families, who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom.

There is no question that we have been through a lot this year and many of you have told me of your personal struggles. At the same time, our country and state are faced with international and economic challenges that are unprecedented in recent times. As your state representative, I remain committed to face these and other challenges head on in the best interest of you and your family. As always, I rely heavily on the input of my constituents so please do not hesitate to contact me with your issues or concerns relating to state government.

So this holiday season, I hope you can spend quality time with your family and friends and make memories which will carry you through next year and for years to come.

Enjoy this special time of the year and have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.

Very Truly Yours,

Sid

State Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) voted today in support of Senate Bill 397, which included incentives for Sears and the CME Group as well as job-creating incentives.

Senate Bill 397 passed Monday by a vote 81-28-7.

“While this legislation does not mitigate all the damage caused by the majority party’s tax increase, there was enough good in this bill to warrant my support on behalf of my district,” said Mathias. “Specifically, the R&D tax-credit extension and the broad-based relief for large-, medium- and small-sized business is what is desperately needed at this time.”

Mathias said Senate Bill 397 was an assortment of tax credits and incentives, many of which were lifted from the minority party jobs package introduced earlier this year.

Included in the proposal were:

Extension of the Research and Development Tax Credit for an extra five years.

Reinstatement of the Net Operating Loss Carryover deduction aimed at helping financially tenuous companies offset corporate taxes to retain jobs.

Extension of the Investment Tax Credit for five years under the Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax.

“Much work remains and I will continue to focus the debate and advocate for our job-creating small businesses so they can start, stay and grow in Illinois,” added Mathias. Click here to continue reading