Democratic News from Rockford, IL – more news at WinnDems.org.

Wallace Measure to Require Independent Investigations of Police Misconduct Heads to House Floor

                                               
Wallace Measure to Require Independent Investigations of Police Misconduct Heads to House Floor
                                                                                      
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, that would require independent investigations to review cases of alleged sexual assault from a member of law enforcement passed committee this week and now heads to the House floor for consideration. 
 
"It's critically important for law enforcement to have a transparent, accountable relationship with the public it serves," Wallace said. "Unfortunately there have been incidents around the country and around our state in which that trust was violated. This measure aims to prevent such incidents from happening here in Rockford and across Illinois."
 
House Bill 270 would create the Law Enforcement Sexual Assault Investigation Act. The bill states that allegations of sexual assault by a police officer while performing his or her duties shall immediately be reported to the police officer's supervisor. After reporting the allegations to the proper supervisor, an independent law enforcement agency shall conduct a formal investigation of the allegations. After the investigation, the agency will make recommendations to the State's Attorney and police officer's supervisor.
 
"This bill has the support of the Illinois Police Association and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault," Wallace said. "This is a common sense way we can show the public that our state takes the issue of sexual assault seriously, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it out of the House."
 
For more information, please contact Wallace's constituent service office at 815-987-7433 or at litesa@staterepwallace.com.
 
 
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Rockford Aldermanic Meet and Greet Sunday, March 26 at 2 PM


Rockford Aldermanic Election Meet and Great

The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford
 is sponsoring an Aldermanic Meet & Greet
 on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 2 - 4 PM
 at the Nordloff Center in Rockford.
 There will be candidates from all 14 Wards.

 Each candidate will give a short 3 minute presentation on their platform etc. There will then be breakout sessions for each ward where constituents can meet and ask questions of the candidates for their Ward.

###


Tom McNamara at Kell'z Restaurant & Pub today March 25, 7 PM


 
 
 
Dinner Benefiting Tom McNamara at Kell'z Restaurant & Pub on March 25
 
 
Come out for a hot, tasty and homemade meal and the opportunity to dine with Tom at Kell'z Restaurant and Pub (3605 Auburn St.) on March 25th from 5:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. 
This is a perfect opportunity to meet Tom, ask him questions and share your input and ideas. 
Dinner is $15.00 per person, or $50.00 for a family of 4. Buy your ticket online here or by calling 779-423-0488. Tickets will be sold at the door if we don't sell out in advance.
 
 
Campaign Office
227 Church Street.
Rockford, IL 61101
P: (779) 423-0488
A copy of our report is on file with the Winnebago County Clerk, 404 Elm St, Rockford, IL. Tom McNamara, Democratic Candidate for Rockford Mayor. Paid for by friends of Tom McNamara.
 
 
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Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - March 24, 2017




Fishing buddies​​​​ honored for river rescue of capsized kayaker
State Senator Steve Stadelman presented Certificates of Recognition from the Illinois Senate to Jake Kaltved and Logan Bohnenkamp for their heroic efforts last month that saved a kayaker who had tipped over and become trapped in the current below the Fordam Dam on the Rock River.

Kaltved and Bohnenkamp explained to Stadelman how they spotted the distressed kayaker while fishing during their lunch break from their metal fabricating jobs, hurried to the other side of the river and dropped a chain to the kayaker until a rescue squad arrived. The coworkers were able to point to the scene from the windows of Stadelman's office in the nearby Zeke Giorgi Center.

"Listening to what they went through and how they acted so quickly is amazing," Stadelman said. "They saved a life."


Stadelman backs rebooted automatic voter registration bill
Senator Steve Stadelman continues to push to bring automatic voter registration to Illinois.
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed legislation last year despite bipartisan support in the House and Senate.
Under the latest proposal, which Stadelman supports, qualified voters would be automatically registered to vote when they visit driver services facilities or other state agencies for services. Voters could opt out of the system, and a series of checks would ensure no one is registered to vote who should not be.
Stadelman said the new legislation addresses concerns the governor cited in his veto message last year.

Seniors full of questions during legislative update
Senator Steve Stadelman offered a legislative update this week to residents of Spring Ridge Senior Housing and answered questions on topics ranging from presidential politics to local development proposals.




SATURDAY IN ROCKFORD: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos to hold Health Care Town Hall

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos
 to hold Health Care Town Hall


On Saturday at 12:15 in Rockford, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos will host a Health Care Town Hall meeting to talk about her opposition to TrumpCare and answer questions from constituents. At the start of this event, the audience will hear from several individuals who would be deeply affected by the passage of TrumpCare before opening up to questions. This discussion will be moderated by Sue Stephens from Northern Public Radio.
This event is open to the public, but with limited space, seating is first come first serve.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Congress is expected to vote on TrumpCare tonight before adjourning for the weekend. In the event that this doesn't happen as expected, it's possible Congress could stay in session through the weekend which would require us to reschedule this event. An updated advisory will be sent out later today once that's determined.

Congresswoman Bustos HealthCare Townhall in Rockford
Who: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Moderator Sue Stephens from Northern Public Radio and families from Rockford
What: Health Care Town Hall Meeting
When: Saturday, March 25 - the event starts at 12:15 pm CST
Where: UAW Local 592, 112 N. Second Street, Rockford, IL 61107

Note to media: Congresswoman Bustos will hold a media availability shortly before the event starts - so reporters wishing to participate in the media availability should arrive by 11:45 am.
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Democrats on the April 4 Ballot, Winnebago County, Outside of Rockford

Hello,

I've previously sent a list of Democrats on the City of Rockford ballot this election.

Below I list Democrats and Independents on the ballot outside of Rockford in Winnebago County that I believe Democrats would be very happy to support. These are my suggestions and not an endorsement by the Winnebago County Democratic Party.

Let me know if I missed any Democrats or Democratic-leaning Independents on local village or township precinct ballots.

Again, this list is primarily for voters outside the city of Rockford, and the attached sample ballot includes all races in the county. You may not be able to vote in all these races depending where you live. (Everyone in Winnebago County may vote in the Rock Valley College Trustee race, which includes: John Nelson, Angelique Bodine and myself.)

I'm also attaching a sample ballot for Winnebago County.


Rock Valley College Trustee (Rock Valley #511)
(everyone in Winnebago and Boone County, part of Ogle and part of Stephenson County may vote in this election)
All candidates listed as Independents, but please vote for these three:

John Nelson (6 year term)
Angelique Bodine (6 year term)
Paul Gorski (2 year unexpired term)


Rockford Township 
(Democrats in contested races only)

Rockford Township Assessor
Ken Crowley

Rockford Township Trustee
Nancy L. Johnson
David Vella


Loves Park
(all candidates are listed as Independents)

Mayor - John Pruitt
Alderman, Ward 1 - Clint Little
Alderman, Ward 2 - David J.Soll
Alderman, Ward 5, A. Marie Holmes


Village of Machesney Park
(all candidates are listed as Independents)

Village President - Jerry D. Bolin
Village Trustee, District 3 - Heather K. Kelley


Roscoe Township

Township Trustee - Elizabeth Ann Lindquist
(She is listed as an Independent, and you can vote for up to four trustees, but I recommend Democrats and Independents only vote for her.)

Polling Places: this link will let you know where your polling place is (and I have this link on the WinnDems.org site too.)

I believe I've included a list of Democratic party friendly Independents here. I may have missed some, let me know.
This is not an officially endorsed list of candidates, simply my list of what I consider "safe bets" in all of these contested races.

Ameya Pawer Meet N Greet, Friday, March 17 at IBEW Hall


Meet and Greet
with

Ameya Pawer

Friday, March 17, 2017
IBEW 364 Banquet Hall, Rockford, IL
5:30 to 7:30 PM

Ameya Pawer will be seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois Governor in that 2018 race.
Ameya is Chicago alderman and a rising star within the Democratic party. 
He has the smarts, government experience, values, creativity, and strength to get our State back on track. 
 
Ameya is having a Meet-and-Greet this Friday (3/17) at the IBEW 364 Banquet Hall in Rockford from 5:30-7:30pm. Ameya plans to share his progressive vision and platform for the State of Illinois, take questions from Winnebago residents, learn about the real issues impacting your community, and get to know folks in the area.
 
We might even have some green beer in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
 
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the event notice by registering here:
 
To learn more about Ameya's background and experience, please visit his website here:
 
The Meet-and-Greet will be a great opportunity to discuss the current political climate and state of affairs in Illinois, and allow Winnebego County constituents to get to know Ameya.

Ameya Pawer Meet N Greet, Friday, March 17 at IBEW Hall


Meet and Greet
with

Ameya Pawer

Friday, March 17, 2017
IBEW 364 Banquet Hall, Rockford, IL
5:30 to 7:30 PM

Ameya Pawer will be seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois Governor in that 2018 race.
Ameya is Chicago alderman and a rising star within the Democratic party. 
He has the smarts, government experience, values, creativity, and strength to get our State back on track. 
 
Ameya is having a Meet-and-Greet this Friday (3/17) at the IBEW 364 Banquet Hall in Rockford from 5:30-7:30pm. Ameya plans to share his progressive vision and platform for the State of Illinois, take questions from Winnebago residents, learn about the real issues impacting your community, and get to know folks in the area.
 
We might even have some green beer in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
 
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the event notice by registering here:
 
To learn more about Ameya's background and experience, please visit his website here:
 
The Meet-and-Greet will be a great opportunity to discuss the current political climate and state of affairs in Illinois, and allow Winnebego County constituents to get to know Ameya.

Ameya Pawer Meet N Greet, Friday, March 17 at IBEW Hall

Meet and Greet
with

Ameya Pawer

Friday, March 17, 2017
IBEW 364 Banquet Hall, Rockford, IL
5:30 to 7:30 PM

Ameya Pawer will be seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois Governor in that 2018 race.
Ameya is Chicago alderman and a rising star within the Democratic party. 
He has the smarts, government experience, values, creativity, and strength to get our State back on track. 
 
Ameya is having a Meet-and-Greet this Friday (3/17) at the IBEW 364 Banquet Hall in Rockford from 5:30-7:30pm. Ameya plans to share his progressive vision and platform for the State of Illinois, take questions from Winnebago residents, learn about the real issues impacting your community, and get to know folks in the area.
 
We might even have some green beer in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
 
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the event notice by registering here:
 
To learn more about Ameya's background and experience, please visit his website here:
 
The Meet-and-Greet will be a great opportunity to discuss the current political climate and state of affairs in Illinois, and allow Winnebego County constituents to get to know Ameya.

Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - March 3, 2017





Budget compromise stalls 
An anticipated vote on a bipartisan "grand bargain" to end the state's two-year budget impasse was canceled. Democrats blamed Gov. Bruce Rauner for pressuring Republicans to abandon their support.

Negotiations in the Senate have produced to a 12-bill proposal considered to be a possible bridge in the divide between House Speaker Mike Madigan and Rauner over Rauner's insistence that a budget deal include his "turnaround agenda" -- legislation Rauner portrays as pro-business but Democrats see as anti-labor. Five of the bills, including one to bring gaming to Rockford and four other communities, have been approved. 

Senator Steve Stadelman pointed out the state's $12 billion debt grows by $11 million every day Illinois operates with court-ordered and piece-meal spending that exceeds revenue.

Stadelman bill will help victims escape domestic abusers
Senator Steve Stadelman presented a bill this week to the Senate judiciary committee to allow victims of domestic violence to continue using their cell phone plans after separating from their abusers.
"Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult, and there are many roadblocks you might not think about unless you've been in that situation," Stadelman said. "Anything we can do to make it easier to leave is a positive step." 

The measure requires wireless providers to allow victims to transfer phone numbers on accounts they share with abusers. Similar legislation was recently enacted in California, Missouri and Wisconsin. 

Senate Bill 57 passed unanimously in committee and will move to the Senate floor for consideration.
Stadelman votes to bring casino to Rockford
Senator Steve Stadelman voted this week for legislation to authorize a new casino in Rockford. The measure, part of the Senate's grand bargain, passed 31-26.  
"I'm tired of seeing buses of Rockford residents going to casinos in Wisconsin and Iowa," Stadelman said. "Those entertainment dollars should be spent in Illinois to help pay for our schools, roads and other improvement projects."

The legislation also authorizes new casinos in Chicago, Lake County, South Suburban Chicago, Danville and unincorporated Williamson County. 



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This Rockford Democrat blog features news and press releases from Rockford, IL Democratic officials and candidates for office.
It is a "lite" version of WinnDems.org.
Paul Gorski is the editor and posts the content.
More information about local Democratic officials and candidates can be found at WinnDems.org (http://www.winndems.org)
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