Springfield, IL – ‘Reckless and potentially deadly’ are how State Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) are describing Governor Blagojevich’s plan to cut more than 450 jobs in child protection, human services, state parks and historic sites. According to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), 304 positions in Children and Family Services, 73 in Human Services, 43 in Natural Resources and 34 in Historic Preservation will be cut.

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Springfield, IL – Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Tony Libri, along with State Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) and Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) today called for expanding the Illinois Sex Offender Act to include all offenders regardless of when the crime occurred. Certain sex offenders who were convicted in the past are not required to register under the current law.

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Legislators in Search of Local Site for IDOT Division of Traffic Safety

Springfield, IL – With the Governor’s plan to move the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Traffic Safety to southern Illinois, Representative’s Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg), along with Senator Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) today toured local state facilities in an attempt to find a local home for the IDOT division. The Legislators toured the Illinois Department of Transportation (HanleyBuilding), the Illinois State Police Central Headquarters, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“I think we learned today that not all local options have been explored in keeping IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety in Springfield,” said Poe. “We visited four state facilities and found that every one of them had vacant space. The State Police believe they will have one entire floor available upon consolidation, while the Environmental Protection Agency currently have two floors completely unoccupied. There is definitely room in our state facilities to house IDOT’s Traffic Safety Division.” Continue reading »

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Springfield, IL – In response to news last week of the Governor’s intent to move the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety from Springfield, Representatives Poe and Brauer have started a petition drive to show local support for keeping the Traffic Safety jobs here in Springfield. Copies of the petition may be obtained through the offices of Representatives Poe & Brauer, and through a number of local groups including: AFSCME, The Springfield Chamber and Downtown Springfield Inc..

“We are asking the Springfield area community to join us in our fight to keep IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety here in Springfield by passing this petition,” said Poe. “Under this Governor’s watch we have witnessed state government cut to bare bones, we have witnessed state government moved to Chicago, now we are witnessing an attempt to move state government to southern Illinois. Enough is enough.” Continue reading »

Springfield, IL…State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) met today with members of the Capital Development Board (CDB) to discuss the electrical power failure and maintenance needs for the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Poe has been seeking information on the condition of the buildings at the Illinois State Fairgrounds since an electrical power failure closed the grounds to the public in mid-February. The fair closure resulted in millions of dollars in lost revenue for the city of Springfield.

“Today I had the opportunity to sit down with CDB to discuss what occurred with the electrical failure at the fairgrounds, and what measures are being put in place for the future,” said Poe. “From the discussions we had, there is no indication that CDB had prior knowledge of any problems with the high voltage electrical system at the State Fairgrounds. I am not sure that we will ever know definitively what caused the mass electrical failure at the State Fairgrounds. That being said, I am hopeful that the addition of new safeguards will provide for more accountability with state facilities in the future.” Continue reading »

Springfield, IL – Representatives Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) and Rich Brauer (R-Petersburg) expressed disappointment today with the failed passage of a Senate Joint Constitutional Amendment that would have given voters the opportunity to decide if they want the authority to recall elected officials. Senate Joint Constitutional Amendment 70 failed to garner the three-fifths majority required for passage by three votes. Continue reading »

Springfield… State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) today passed legislation out of the House that would allow individuals who have served in the U.S. Army the opportunity to purchase U.S. Army specialty license plates.  Qualified applicants will be allowed to purchase the plates for an additional license plate charge of $15.

“This legislation stems from a call my office received from a constituent who is also a member of the United States Army,” said Poe.  “Illinois currently has specialty license plates for over 18 different military affiliations, including the Marine Corps; however, U.S. Army members are not currently included.  HB 4176 attempts to correct this omission.” Continue reading »

Springfield… Under legislation proposed by State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) members of the armed forces who have served abroad on active duty would receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses in Illinois.   The legislation passed unanimously out of the House and now heads to the Senate.

“Under current law, members of the armed forces that have served abroad within the last two years can receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses equal to the amount of time they have served,” said Poe.  “HB 5860 expands upon this law to allow all veterans that have served abroad to receive free camping, hunting and fishing licenses for the life-time of that individual.  Continue reading »