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 »

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Representative Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) responded to the Cook County Board of Commissioners vote today by a veto-proof 12-5 margin to reduce Todd Stroger’s sales tax hike in half:

“Today’s vote by the County Board is a step in the right direction for struggling families and cash-strapped small businesses – but it is far from enough,” Rep. Mathias said. “The pressure of higher taxes, increased cost of consumer goods, and declining value of the dollar is being felt by families and employers everywhere. Reducing the rate increase by only half is a pittance. I will continue to pursue legislation for a full repeal of the Stroger sales tax increase and call upon the Cook County Board to do likewise.”

Continue reading »

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS –Raising awareness of a critical issue affecting many northwest suburban families, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) is stepping up efforts to bring attention to the issue of domestic violence in advance of the upcoming National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

A member of the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence, Rep. Mathias continues to be at the forefront of state and community-based policy initiatives to help raise awareness and provide services for those affected.

Continue reading »

Local Legislator is Chief Sponsor of Rollback Measure in State House

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Representative Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) responded to the Cook County Board’s vote earlier today defeating a measure that would override Todd Stroger’s veto and roll back half of last year’s one percent sales tax increase.

“Today’s vote by the County Board is a disappointing setback for the people of Cook County,” Mathias said. “Cash-strapped families and small businesses continue to feel the pressure of higher taxes, increased cost of consumer goods, and the declining value of the dollar. Our priority should be to encourage consumer spending and fostering an economic climate where businesses are able to grow and create new jobs. The highest-in-the-nation sales tax rate in Cook County is counterproductive to those shared goals.” Continue reading »

WHEELING – Reaffirming his commitment to responsive government and encouraging constituent feedback, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) has announced an upcoming Town Hall Meeting for residents of Wheeling to be sponsored on August 11 with State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine).

Discussion will include an update on the state budget and issues of local concern such as the need for meaningful ethics reform, tax relief, and investments in transportation, education, and health care. The meetings are open to the public and will feature a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Continue reading »

Local Legislator Joins Colleagues in Launching New Website for Reform

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Giving local residents another tool to become activists for reform in state government, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) is urging taxpayers to visit the newly created www.reinventillinois.com website to submit ideas on how lawmakers should cut the state budget and suggest reforms needed to re-focus state priorities on  fiscal discipline and economic growth.

The site is the latest effort by Rep. Mathias to incorporate public opinion and cultivate a broad range of feedback to help address the growing state budget crisis and fuel the need for budget and ethics reform.

Continue reading »

Rep. Mathias & Sen. Murphy to Co-Sponsor Public Forums

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Reaffirming his commitment to responsive government and encouraging constituent feedback, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) has announced a series of joint Town Hall Meetings to be sponsored this summer with State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine).

Discussion will include an update on the state budget and issues of local concern such as the need for meaningful ethics reform, tax relief, and investments in transportation, education, and health care. The meetings are open to the public and will feature a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Continue reading »

Program Aims to Create Database for Individuals with Disabilities

SPRINGFIELD – Highlighting the importance of ensuring equal access to public safety services, the Illinois House voted unanimously to give final passage to groundbreaking bipartisan legislation for the creation of a special alert system establishing a database to ensure that persons with disabilities and/or special needs have the same access to public safety services provided to all other citizens. Senate Bill 2057, sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), would create the special alert system known as the Illinois Premise Alert Program (PAP).

Continue reading »

Insurance Companies to Offer Incentives Encouraging Good Health

SPRINGFIELD – In a groundbreaking commitment to meaningful health care reform, the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation on Wednesday sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) paving the way for insurance companies to offer incentives for wellness coverage to clients. The legislation, Senate Bill 1877 secured unanimous support from the House and has returned to the Senate for concurrence before being sent to the Governor for approval.

“Wellness is the key to the development of a healthier society,” Rep. Mathias said. “We can dramatically reduce health care costs long-term by focusing on wellness and prevention rather than treatment after people have become ill. Responsible action calls for a preventative health care policy that stresses wellness for people of all ages.”

Continue reading »

Mathias Bill Would Keep Sites Open on Holidays

SPRINGFIELD – Correcting a loophole in the state’s early voting law, the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation on Wednesday sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) that would keep early voting sites open on state holidays that fall during the early voting period. The legislation, Senate Bill 1801 secured unanimous support from the House and has returned to the Senate for concurrence before being sent to the Governor for approval.

“Early voting has increased access to voting and heightened participation in our election process,” Rep. Mathias said. “By keeping early voting sites open for several hours on a holiday, we can honor the commitment to encouraging greater voter participation that we made when we first enacted Illinois’ first early voting law.”

Continue reading »