Panel seeks to increase awareness and educate students about the world history of genocide

Springfield… Legislation chief co-sponsored by State Representative Sid Mathias (R, Buffalo Grove) creating the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission of Illinois was signed into law yesterday by Governor Pat Quinn at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center.

“I am proud that Illinois has taken this measure to help ensure that future generations of Illinoisans are cognizant of the deplorable occurrences of genocide that continue to happen today,” stated Mathias. “It is our obligation as leaders to peak out and make the world aware when conditions exist that lead to atrocities. It’s an overused saying, but those who forget history are doomed to repeat it, and hopefully this move will help us to not forget.”

The legislation, which is now Public Act 96-1063, specifically provides for the appointment of one legislator from each caucus to be appointed in an advisory capacity to the commission, and Mathias is slated to be the House Republican representative on the panel. The legislation also lays out the duties of the commission over the course if its decades long charter to provide advice concerning the organization’s educational outreach through memorials, events and educational influence. Continue reading »

Springfield…Out-of-state volunteer health practitioners will be allowed to register and assist with relief efforts during a state-declared emergency in Illinois under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove). Continue reading »

Springfield…Legislation to protect disabled individuals from home repair fraud was approved by the Illinois House on Thursday, April 15, 2010, according to state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), the chief-sponsor of the bill. Continue reading »

Springfield…This week marked the Third Reading deadline in the Illinois House, meaning there was a flurry of activity as lawmakers worked to pass dozens of bills prior to the Friday deadline, according to state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove). Continue reading »

Springfield…Legislation to strengthen transparency in state hiring by creating a searchable online database of new employees has been approved by the House and has moved to the Senate, according to state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), chief sponsor of the bill. Continue reading »

Springfield…The Illinois House took a major step forward, on Thursday, March 11, to improving the state budget process after approving legislation to create a commission to review the validity of state programs, according state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) a co-sponsor of the bill. Continue reading »

Springfield…House committees have approved three bills which will strengthen the state’s ethics laws against corruption and fraud and increase government transparency, according to state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), chief sponsor of the bills. Continue reading »

Springfield… Governor Pat Quinn delivered his annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly today, calling for a tax increase, budget cuts, massive borrowing and delaying payment to state contractors to close a massive budget shortfall. State Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) stated his disappointment over the Governor’s plans, and his failure to address budget and spending reforms, and his lack of ideas to promote job creation in Illinois. Continue reading »

The spring legislative session has begun in earnest, and already hundreds of bills have been introduced for consideration by the legislature. Below is a list of the legislation that I have filed this year in Springfield. Please take a moment to review the legislation and send me an email at repmathias@hotmail.com to provide feedback on these or any other pieces of legislation. Your opinions are important to me.

Sincerely,

Sid Mathias
State Representative, 53^rd District
Continue reading »

Springfield…The decision by the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn the limits on damage amounts for medical malpractice will have drastic negative effects on Illinois’ health care system, state Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) said on Thursday. Continue reading »