Arlington Heights…Applications are currently available for residents of the 53rd Legislative District who may be interested in applying for an Illinois General Assembly Scholarship, state Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) announced today. Continue reading »
On December 18, 2009, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced funding of $412,940 for sidewalk work along Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove. The funds are made available from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), a federally funded program designed to improve the quality of life in Illinois by promoting alternative transportation, such as bike and hike trails, streetscape and beautification, and preserving transportation resources.
ITEP provides federal funds to develop alternative transportation and preserve visual and cultural resources. The funds are awarded competitively and any local or state government with taxing authority is eligible to apply. Local matching funds are required and work must begin on the projects within three years.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.”
