http://pike.weareillinois.org Pike County Republicans en-us
It is the intention of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association to provide Illinois lawmakers with a measure of appreciation for their past support for the interest of the retired educator. The IRTA wishes Rep. Tracy the best of luck in future pursuits, and looks forward to working with her in the future.

The Illinois Retired Teachers Association is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization of retired educators. The Association serves the needs and interests of its 32,000 members through advocacy, education, cooperation and socialization in a flexible organizational structure.



]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4998 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4998 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:31:50 GMT

]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4898 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4898 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:54:10 GMT
Rep. Tracy: Let’s Fund the Current Programs before Increasing Spending

For Immediate Release
Contact Rep. Jil Tracy
(217) 223-0833

April 16, 2008

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Mt. Sterling) is calling on the Governor to release the $18 million promised to the U. of I. Extension program appropriated in the budget he signed late last year. “The Governor’s logic defies me. He has chosen to completely withhold appropriated budget funding guaranteed for important downstate programs, rather than simply ask all agencies to tighten their belts and make smaller cuts to reduce the state’s revenue shortfall,” according to Rep. Tracy.

To date, the Governor has frozen nearly $40 million that was allocated to agricultural programs this year. “I think it is pretty obvious that the Governor feels he can ignore programs which provide vital services to downstate, in order to spend tax dollars on his pet initiatives. The revenue was in the budget and ready to be released only a few weeks ago, but all of a sudden the Administration says it is gone. Either these funds were spent on something entirely different or the Governor is holding them hostage in order to pressure legislators to support his agenda. Either way he is ignoring the needs of the residents of this state and jeopardizing the future of imperative agricultural programs,” said Tracy.

The $18 million for the Extension program on top of the $8 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the $4.5 million for the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research are a minimal amounts compared to the new spending outlined in the Senate Democrats supplemental appropriation Blagojevich has supported. The supplemental appropriation passed out of the Senate a few weeks ago would actually increase state spending by over $90 million. “The Governor has thrown his support behind a proposal that increases healthcare spending by $43 million, but will not release the $26 million for SWCD’s and the Extension program which he already approved,” reiterated Rep. Tracy.

“The State needs these important programs that have not received their funding. The General Assembly appropriated and budgeted for these programs. It is not for the Governor to now pick and choose arbitrarily which appropriated funds will be withheld. It’s very disheartening that our State’s top executive doesn’t understand or care about the extreme damage to our State and its citizens that will be caused if we lose these valuable long standing programs.




]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4129 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=4129 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:29:01 GMT
State Representative Jim Watson

May 2, 2008

Watson Cautiously Optimistic About Release of Ag Funds

Jacksonville, IL…State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) said he is pleased the governor finally pledged to release funding for the University of Illinois Extension and Soil and Water Conservation Districts Friday. However, he remains concerned given the continued volatility in Springfield.

“While I am pleased the governor pledged to release funding for these important ag and conservation programs, his delay has caused unnecessary hardships in rural Illinois,” Watson stated. “My colleagues and I must remain vigilant until the funds in fact reach these local agencies.”

Governor Blagojevich withheld $12.8 million in county match funding promised to the U of I Extension in the FY08 budget. The Extension provides educational programs in healthy living, food security and safety, environment, production and marketing systems for farmers, and youth programs such as 4-H.

$5.75 million of the $7.4 million promised to the SWCD was also held by the governor. The funds provide approximately $14,000 in state funding to the state’s 98 SWCD offices which are the primary point of contact for national, state, and local conservation and wildlife agencies.

Unfortunately, the release of funds may not prevent some local office closures in the coming weeks. “Some of the agencies have already run out of time. Scott County SWCD and other agencies have held out as long as possible,” said Watson. “Regrettably, ten months is too long to wait for some agencies. I urge the Governor to move quickly, so that these closures will be only temporary.”

Watson praised the work of both Extension and SWCD staffs, as well as the general public. “These agencies have delayed layoffs and closings while working without funding for 10 months,” Watson said. “I commend them for their dedication and hard work while facing a difficult situation. Also, I want to thank the hundreds of constituents who contacted my office, other legislators, and the Governor’s office in support of these programs. I hope this encourages more citizen participation in our state government.”


]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3684 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3684 Thu, 08 May 2008 08:29:00 GMT Contact Rep. Jil Tracy
(217) 223-0833

April 01, 2008

Springfield, IL…State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Mt. Sterling) unanimously passed legislation out of the Illinois House on Tuesday that will allow seniors to retain their property tax benefits. House Bill 4179 would allow seniors to retain their Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption and the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze in the event they move into an assisted living facility. The senior property tax relief would remain in place as long as the owner or a spouse kept the residence and did not rent the property for a profit.

“The Property Tax Code specifically allows residents under the Nursing Home Care Act to qualify for the Senior Freeze and Exemption, but nothing was added to address the situation if a senior becomes a resident of an assisted living facility. Under current law they would not be eligible to retain these senior property tax breaks, but if this legislation is signed into law that will change. When the nursing home provision was added to the Property Tax Code, the concept of assisted living wasn’t prevalent.” said Rep. Tracy.

The problem was brought to the attention of Rep. Tracy after a constituent explained that when his mother moved into an assisted living facility she no longer qualified for the Senior Property Tax Assessment Freeze or the Senior Homestead Exemption. She still maintained ownership of her residence, but because she was in an assisted living facility rather than a nursing home, all her senior property tax benefits were abolished causing a sharp increase in property tax rates. This put her in a difficult financial situation.

“It is only fair that seniors who move into an assisted living or shared housing facility have the option of retaining their home while also receiving their deserved tax breaks,” Tracy said. “Just because a senior was moved into one of these facilities does not necessarily mean they plan on living out the rest of their days there. Higher property taxes for seniors in this type of situation should in no way be the deciding factor for them returning to their home.”

HB4179 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.




]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3556 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3556 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:44:01 GMT Contact Rep. Jil Tracy
(217) 223-0833

April 02, 2008

Springfield, IL…On Wednesday State Representative Jil Tracy (R-Mt. Sterling) stepped up her fight against criminals who seek to steal anhydrous ammonia for the production of methamphetamine by passing House Bill 5942 out of the Illinois House. The legislation would appropriate an additional $250,000 to the Department of Agriculture for the Anhydrous Ammonia Security Grant Program.

“In the last few years we have seen a significant decline in the number of methamphetamine lab seizures throughout the state. I think a great deal of this decline can be attributed to stricter laws regulating the access to meth making ingredients, such as pseudoephedrine and anhydrous ammonia,” said Rep. Tracy.

The Anhydrous Ammonia Security Grant Program provides grants to facilities that wish to install security measures such as locks on anhydrous tanks, video surveillance cameras and additives that make the chemical useless for producing methamphetamine. In 2006, the first year of the program, there were a total of 89 applicants, but last year the program went unfunded leaving some facilities vulnerable. “The grant program is an effective, cost preventive measure that has been extremely successful in eliminating unlawful access to one of the main ingredients in meth production,” according to Representative Tracy. “In fact, of all the facilities that have taken advantage of the program there have been zero reported anhydrous thefts.”

The upcoming year poses a serious threat regarding the resurgence of methamphetamine. Many drug-enforcement officers throughout the Midwest have heard plans to eliminate $170 million in federal funding used to finance drug enforcement in individual states. “If this amount of revenue is not going to be available to law enforcement agencies that fight the production of methamphetamine, the state must step up its efforts with programs such as this,” Rep. Tracy said.

“The Anhydrous Ammonia Security Grant Program will ensure we are taking the necessary preventative measures to stay one step ahead of the criminals that will go to all lengths to produce this devastating drug,” said Tracy.

HB5942 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.




]]> http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3555 http://pike.weareillinois.org/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3555 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:43:13 GMT