Innovative Camera Technology Designed to Improve Public Safety

SPRINGFIELD – In a bi-partisan commitment to railroad crossing and traffic safety, the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation Tuesday sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) that would strengthen the hand of law enforcement agencies across Illinois to ensure public safety at railroad crossings. The legislation, Senate Bill 148, would provide for the use of cameras at railroad intersections for the purpose of enforcement and ticketing of those who ignore railroad safety equipment.

“Too often in the past we have heard tragic stories of pedestrians and motorists who were senselessly killed after being struck by a train at a railroad crossing,” Rep. Mathias said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to apprehend traffic offenders and hold them accountable, especially when serious injury and death results from violations of posted safety equipment such as gates and flashing signs.”

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By Sidney H. Mathias                                                                                                                                                       State Representative – 53^rd District

Illinois – we are listening. We have heard the public outcry from those of you who are fed up with the constant barrage of criminal indictments of elected officials who have gotten rich at the expense of the rest of us. For years, we have often heard the word “reform” used as the rhetorical prescription to cure what ails government; a political process that by many accounts is broken, dangerously susceptible to corruption, and which too often leads to gridlock and inaction on important public policy matters.

Now is our chance to enact meaningful ethics and campaign reform. There has never been a more compelling time.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL- Amidst the public clamor surrounding President Todd Stroger’s veto this week of the Cook County Board’s recent vote to repeal last year’s sales tax hike, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) took to the floor of the Illinois House on Thursday asking his colleagues to reconsider legislation he sponsored earlier this spring that would roll back the increase.

“With the highest sales tax rate of any county in the nation at 10.25%, Cook County families are feeling increased pain in their budgets,” Rep. Mathias said. “We should not leave the fate of these hard-pressed families in Todd Stroger’s hands. Instead, we should vote to approve my bi-partisan legislation to repeal the sales tax increase on our own.”

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SPRINGFIELD, IL- State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) reacted today to the Cook County Board’s decisive 12-3 vote Tuesday to repeal last year’s sales tax increase advocated by Board President Todd Stroger:

“Tuesday’s vote by the County Board to repeal the onerous sales tax increase is a welcome victory for local taxpayers who have too long been forced to bear the burden of the mismanaged, bloated bureaucracy of Cook County government.”

“I am disappointed to hear of Todd Stroger’s intention to veto this bold and decisive action by the County Board, the elected representatives of the people. I hope that County Board members maintain their resolve and vote to override Stroger’s expected veto at their next board meeting.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House of Representatives voted down a measure on Thursday that would have rolled back the 2008 sales tax increase approved by the Cook County Board which more than doubled the existing tax rate from 0.75 to 1.75 percent. House Bill 715, sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) would have also required the County Board to put any future tax increase proposals before the voters in the form of a ballot referendum. The bill, which required a three-fifths majority of 71 votes in order to secure passage, fell short with 61 votes in favor and 55 in opposition.

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SPRINGFIELD – Paving the way for an expansion of educational opportunities at northwest suburban Cook County premier community college, the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday to create a pilot program that would allow Harper College to offer bachelor degrees in two fields of study; including public safety and homeland security and business technology. State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), the Chief co-sponsor on House Bill 656, heralded the passage of the legislation as it moves to the State Senate for consideration.

“Expanding access to quality education is a goal we should always be proud to advance,” Rep. Mathias said. “Under this program, students at Harper College could soon have a wider range of options to earn a valuable bachelor’s degree in competitive job industries.”

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Tuesday sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) that would require a yield or stop sign be installed at all highway-rail crossings in Illinois that are not currently equipped with safety equipment such as flashing lights or other crossing safety equipment.

“Too often in the past we have heard tragic stories of pedestrians and motorists who perished after being struck by a train at an ill-equipped railroad crossing,” Rep. Mathias said. “My legislation would correct an oversight in state law by ensuring that all intersections of a highway and railroad crossing in Illinois are properly marked by a stop or yield sign at the very least.”

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SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to honor the sacrifice of Vietnam-era veterans who left high school to serve in the military, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that would allow local school boards to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during the Vietnam Conflict. The legislation, House Bill 3731, was sponsored by State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove).

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Tax on Middle Class Families Cornerstone of Gov.’s Budget Plan

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn delivered his first annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly today, calling for a sweeping income tax hike along with various other tax and fee increases to close a massive budget shortfall. State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) expressed concern over how the Governor’s plan centers around tax and fee increases as a quick fix to the long-term challenges of the state’s structural deficit and the need to create jobs to reinvigorate the economy.

“There is a philosophical difference of opinion on what our priorities ought to be,” Rep. Mathias said. “I believe the primary burden of solving our budget deficit must be borne by government itself, not the taxpayers. We should start by seeking to aggressively streamline state government and find ways to cut our own costs before asking taxpayers for a bail out. Real property tax relief should also be part of any budget package.”

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Troubling Burris Revelations Highlights Need to Let Voters Decide

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the stunning revelations in disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, State Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) has signed onto legislation in the Illinois House calling for a special election to fill the remainder of the 2-year Senate term Burris was appointed to.

“Roland Burris violated the public trust before he even took office,” Rep. Mathias said. “By giving evasive and incomplete testimony under oath and admitting that he did in fact have conversations with several top Blagojevich aides during the same time he was being considered for the Senate appointment, Senator Burris’ actions demonstrate the need for us to take decisive and immediate action to hold a special election and let the people of Illinois choose who our Senator should be,” Mathias added.

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