Representative Wheeler Statement Regarding Judy Baar Topinka

Statement by State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake)

The passing of Judy Baar Topinka is a tremendous blow to our state. Judy led the way for so many women like me to become involved in Illinois Politics. She was a trailblazer who held firm to a belief in sound fiscal management and her leadership will be sorely missed.

Representative Barbara Wheeler Statement

The passing of Judy Baar Topinka is a tremendous blow to our state. Judy led the way for so many women like me to become involved in Illinois Politics. She was a trailblazer who held firm to a belief in sound fiscal management and her leadership will be sorely missed.

Representative Wheeler Notes Lack Of Bipartison Legislative Solutions

Op-Ed by State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake)

During the second week of this year’s veto session, the majority party once again sought to ignore the demand of Illinois voters and their call for bipartisan solutions. On a party-line vote of 67-46, the Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 3075 under the guise of a narrative to reduce costs. The bill, if signed into law by Gov. Quinn prior to Gov.-Elect Rauner taking office, would slash civil juries from twelve members to six, while increasing pay by more than six-times its current level.

On face value this seems like a relatively good thing, local governments are financially strapped, why not save some money by reducing the size of juries. Governments can reduce expenditures and be able to better compensate those missing time from work to perform their civic duty. However, what about the rights of a person to have a jury of their peers, doesn’t it seem a bit obtuse to arbitrarily cut jury sizes in half? In a democracy as diverse as ours, a group of only six people may come to a very different conclusion than a group of twelve, particularly on civil cases where money is being awarded to one of the parties. The reason for twelve jury members was not determined without careful consideration, and for good reason.

Even if we ignore the questionable nature of arbitrarily cutting jury size in half, what about the difference between civil and criminal juries? Only civil juries will be reduced to six, not criminal juries, so how will this impact cost-savings? Here again we have a problem of actually saving money. In both McHenry and Lake County, the counties have stated that the vast majority of jury trials are criminal in nature, not civil, making any savings from reducing jury size negligible. However, if jury compensation were to remain at current levels, there would be some savings to the counties that could then potentially be passed onto taxpayers.

The problem with SB 3075 in terms of savings to the counties is that it dramatically increases the costs associated with juries. This bill doesn’t only increase the compensation for the civil juries it cuts in size, it increases the compensation for all juries. Instead of $4 per day and mileage compensation, compensation would jump to $25 for the first day and $50 for the second day; that’s an increase of six-times and twelve-times respectively. There is no doubt that this increase in costs will be borne on the backs of the taxpayers in McHenry and Lake Counties. Officials from both counties have stated unequivocally that SB 3075 will dramatically increase costs; a 425 percent increase according to McHenry County’s own estimates. In 2013, McHenry County spent just over $88,000 paying jurors for performing their civic duty. Had SB 3075 been law in 2013, McHenry conservatively estimates that it would have had to payout $368,000. Similarly, Lake County estimates its costs under SB 3075 increasing by $500,000.

The simple fact is that this is another unfunded-mandate handed down to Illinois taxpayers at the behest of special interest. Actions like this are what have led Illinois into its current state of financial calamity. Until sensible fiscal management is sought by all the elected officials who represent McHenry County and Lake County in Springfield, this type of bludgeoning of county budgets and taxpayers will continue.

64th District Constituents Praised By Representative Wheeler

Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) has praised the people of the 64th District for their tireless efforts that put a halt to Senate Bill 16. Senate Bill 16 would have made major changes to the state education funding formula, shifting millions of dollars in state funding away from McHenry and Lake County schools. Wheeler noted that without the combined engagement of so many community members, both from within the education system from outside it, putting a halt to SB 16 would not have been possible.

“Senate Bill 16 was a bad bill, based on arbitrary distribution methods that would have done major damage to our suburban schools,” said Wheeler. “Without the involvement of so many members our community, stopping this bill would have not been a reality. I want to thank the thousands of concerned parents and citizens that attended the public forum in McHenry or signed the petition online. The school districts also did a tremendous job in communicating with the parents on just how damaging this bill would have been for our children’s education. Without these combined efforts, our schools would be headed down a path to a shambolic redistribution of funding.”

Wheeler also noted that the six-thousand plus slips of opposition presented during last month’s joint hearing of the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee and House Appropriations – Elementary & Secondary Education Committee played a pivotal role in quashing SB 16. During the hearing, hundreds of parents, school officials, and financial officers appeared in person to voice opposition to the bill. Those appearing noted not only the damage that would be done to the education system, but also the fact it would further exacerbate undue pressure already placed on the backs of over-stressed property taxpayers.

During the hearing, Wheeler also signed on as chief co-sponsor to House Resolution 1335, which would have created a House Education Funding Advisory Committee. The primary purpose of the advisory committee would have been to conduct a thorough review of the existing school funding formula and make recommendations for reforms that would create a funding system that would be adequate, equitable and which prepares students for achievement and success after high school. While the creation of the committee now stands in limbo due to the death of SB 16, should new legislation come about in the upcoming 99th General Assembly to re-write the state education funding formula there will undoubtedly be a call for the formation of such a committee to prevent a similar bill to SB 16 being jammed through the legislature.

“Ensuring our children have the best education possible is one of the most important things our community must do,” said Wheeler. “Rushing into a drastic overhaul of our state’s funding distribution would have done irreparable damage to our children’s future and thanks to the efforts of so many we were able to prevent this catastrophic legislation from taking effect.”

Route 14 Improvements In McHenry County

Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) has announced that $48.1 million in State funding has been earmarked for a major U.S. Route 14 improvement project in the McHenry County portion of IL House District 64.

Two separate projects managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will improve U.S. Route 14 between Woodstock and Crystal Lake. Reconstruction and widening will be done on U.S. 14 from West Lake Shore Drive to Lucas Road, and 2.3 miles of roadway reconstruction, including adding lanes, widening and resurfacing and drainage improvements, will be done from Lucas Road to Crystal Lake Road in Crystal Lake.

“These are vital transportation projects that will improve safety and travel times on one of McHenry County’s busiest roads,” Wheeler said. “Once completed, the reconstructions, widenings and additional lanes will enhance our transportation infrastructure in a way that will hopefully attract new businesses and jobs to that area.”

Wheeler Legislation Aims To Curb US Dependency on Chinese Rare Earth Elements

This week, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) introduced a resolution aiming to curb the United States’ dependency on Chinese refinery of Rare Earth Elements.  Rare Earth Elements are essential to everyday products such as cell phones, yet the United States current regulatory policy impedes on our ability to store and develop these rare elements.   As a result, the United States’ Senate is currently discussing the National Rare Earth Cooperative Act which would establish a refinery and storage for these rare elements.  Rep. Wheeler is urging the passage of this legislation.

“There are 17 minerals that are essential to our everyday lives.  They are in our cell phones, our medical equipment, and our national defense equipment,” says Wheeler.  “China has a 90% monopoly type control of these minerals.  Should they choose to stop refining minerals for the United States our national security, our way of life may be at risk.”

The United States currently has the infrastructure to mine these rare minerals, but regulation has gotten in the way of storing and refining them.  Should the Cooperative Act pass, Rep. Wheeler would like Illinois to be the site of this new refinery.  This would immediately create hundreds of local industrial jobs.  In the long term, the mining of these rare elements will be a boon for dozens on Illinois industries, including medical, technology, and aerospace. 

“Illinois has the potential to be the Silicon Valley of materials research,” said Wheeler.  “Right now, government regulation is halting our progress in this field.  We have the opportunity to be the rare earth mineral hub of the world. I strongly urge the passage of this Act.”

The National Rare Earth Cooperative Act of 2014 is an initiative of Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri).  It is currently in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for consideration.

Representative Wheeler Named To Tax Policy Subcommittee

Seeking to define the bottom-line problems with Illinois’ business climate, State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) will be participating in a newly-formed Business Climate Subcommittee in Springfield.

The subcommittee was created at the end of February as a result of the joint Revenue and State Government Committee hearings on Tax policy and Tax Incentives. The group met for the first time this week to begin their work, and focused on rules and regulations for businesses.

“Our overall goal is to identify problems and ultimately reduce or eliminate the uncertainty that exists with our State’s business climate,” Wheeler said.  “I am looking forward to serving on this very important committee.”

The subcommittee was formed to study differences of opinion among Illinois stakeholders regarding the State’s business climate. “Today we have sharply divergent accounts of what our business climate is,” said Wheeler. “Some voices, including our current Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, assert that Illinois is a healthy place to start up a business and create jobs. Many others from the business community disagree with this characterization and point to problems with Illinois’ economic status and job-creating atmosphere.”

Subcommittee members will seek testimony from a wide variety of stakeholders and sift through the testimony and other data to found points of consensus, so that changes to Illinois policy can be recommended. “It will be nice to once and for all separate fact from fiction and determine what issues truly exist and what points can be classified as partisan differences of emphasis and opinion.”

The subcommittee’s next meeting is scheduled for the week of March 17th.

Representative Wheeler Remarks On Public Pension System

IIn response a vote earlier this week on Senate Bill 1, State Representative Barbara Wheeler has issued the following statement:

“Today legislators took a large step toward shoring up our five public pension systems. While I believe there are still additional reforms that are needed, I view the components of Senate Bill 1 as a solid beginning point for comprehensive pension reform.

“There is no issue in Illinois that is more important than pension reform. By reining in our pension obligation, we will soon have more funding available for the critically important budget areas like education, services for Illinois’ most vulnerable and poorest citizens, unpaid bills and other state priorities. These are all budget areas have been shortchanged for far too long.

“I view the passage of Senate Bill 1 as a great first step and hope that in the future we can take additional steps to reform our pension system to more sustainable levels.”

Legislative Leadership Development For State Representative

Joining a select few of her colleagues, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) participated in and completed both the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) and the Edgar Fellows Program. Known for their prestigious reputations, BILLD and the Edgar Fellows have a highly selective admittance standard and only accept the most qualified of regional legislators.

 “I am honored to have been part of the BILLD and Edgars Fellows Programs,” stated Rep. Wheeler. “The opportunity to learn alongside the Midwest and Illinois’ brightest leaders was valuable beyond anything words can describe.”

The Edgar Fellows Program accepts 40 of Illinois’ top up-and-coming legislators into a four day training seminar aimed at educating the fellows about leadership skills and strategies. The classes are taught by individuals who have excelled in the public arena, including Governor Jim Edgar.

In addition, Rep. Wheeler graduated from the BILLD program which is a regional based program based in Madison Wisconsin. Selecting a small handful of the Midwest’s top legislators, the program focused on leadership training and policy-based instructional courses.

As a freshman legislator, Rep. Wheeler has already proven herself to be a staunch advocate for responsible government and has filed legislation aimed at reforming Illinois’ government. Representative Wheeler also has a proven record of making the needs of her community her top priority.

As a McHenry County board member, Rep. Wheeler initiated, and led, a citizen’s task force to deal with a looming housing crisis and to develop a county land use policy that will guide the county for the next 25 years.

Rep. Wheeler also developed a “Land First” policy that encourages development, but prioritizes open space and protecting ground water.  As a result of these accomplishments, Representative Wheeler was awarded the Theta Award from the McHenry County Environmental Society.

Contacts For Representative Wheeler

Just sworn into office last week, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is ready to announce her legislative office opening and how to contact her in the district, in Springfield, and through social media.

Rep. Wheeler’s office in the district is located at 37 E Grave Avenue in Fox Lake.  Her office hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Thursday, noon-8:00 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am – noon.  The office can be contacted by calling (847) 973-0064.

“Living in a service-based economy, not everyone has the ability to contact their legislators between the hours of nine to five,” said Wheeler.  “My office hours may not be typical, but the  flexibility will make it easier for my constituents to reach out to me for assistance regardless of their busy schedules.”

In addition to her office in Fox Lake, Wheeler will also be operating a full time office in Springfield.  Her office is located at 214-N Stratton Office Building in Springfield and can be contacted by calling (217) 782-1664 or FAX (217) 557-7016 between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:30p.m.

Wheeler is also looking to keep in contact with her constituents through a strong internet presence.  Rep. Wheeler can be reached via email: repwheeler64@gmail.com<mailto:repwheeler64@gmail.com,

website: wheeler.ilhousegop.org,

Twitter: @bmwheeler,

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StateRepresentativeBarbaraWheeler.
 
“In the information age, public servants need to be accessible physically, verbally, and electronically,” said Wheeler.  “I may be new to the social networking world, but I plan on keeping my constituency up to date on what I am doing in Springfield, major legislation being discussed, and local issues that affect us here at home.  It is my goal to always be accessible when I am needed.”

Office contact:
37 E Grand Ave. Suite 101

Fox Lake, IL 60020

847-782-1664

214-N Stratton OfficeBuilding
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1664
(217) 557-7016 FAX

Social media:
Email: repwheeler64@gmail.com<mailto:repwheeler64@gmail.com>
Website: wheeler.ilhousegop.org
Twitter: @bmwheeler
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StateRepresentativeBarbaraWheeler

Representative Barbara Wheeler Remarks On Governor Quinn's Pension Reform

Before a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly, Governor Pat Quinn delivered his State of the State speech. Quinn outlined his priorities for the 2013 session, including pension reform, increasing Illinois’ minimum wage, and an assault weapons ban.  State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) released this statement following the governor’s remarks on pensions:

“While I am pleased that the governor sees the reality of our broken fiscal house, we must now make the bold and courageous decisions that are needed to save us from financial collapse.  Our pension system has over $100 billion in unfunded liabilities, we have nearly $9 billion in unpaid bills, and the unwanted income tax increase is set to expire in 2015.  We are at the brink of our own fiscal cliff.  We must act now; the people of Illinois cannot afford additional hardships in this slow moving economy.”

Representative Wheeler also made this statement on raising the minimum wage:

“We are in a stagnant economy and leaders are proposing increasing the State’s minimum wage to $10 an hour. How are employers and small businesses supposed to pay for this?  The State increased business taxes to 9.3% two years ago, didn’t go far enough in workers’ compensation reform, and now we are wanting to squeeze more out of the driving force of our economy?

We need to look for ways to save employers and small businesses money before we look to increase the minimum wage."

Representative Wheeler Promotes Consumer Protection Legislation

With the 98th General Assembly about to swing into full gear, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is looking towards consumer protection with her first ever piece of legislation aimed at credit card user fees. 

“There are certainly signs that the economy is moving again; however, families are still weary of fee increases,” Wheeler stated.  “Even small savings can go a long way, and now is not the time to begin burdening families with increased fees, regardless of their size.”

The measure, HB 977, seeks to make it unlawful for merchants to impose a surcharge on a consumer who elects to pay with a credit card.  In July, an antitrust settlement between the major credit companies, Visa and MasterCard, and merchants will now allow retailers to charge a higher price for consumers who choose the “credit” option as opposed to the “debit” option when making purchases beginning on January 27 of this year.  Prior to the settlement, merchants were only allowed to offer discounts to non-credit card purchases, not to charge a higher price to those paying with credit.

This bill marks the first piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Wheeler and is already receiving support from many of her constituents.

Area business owner Pete Kalantzis, owner of Marzano’s Wood Fired Italian Restaurant in McHenry, has already vowed not to charge customers.  “Me personally, I will not charge my customers,” Kalantzis stated.  “Credit cards are a part of our cost of doing business.  We are providing a service and we shouldn’t be penalizing our customers for using credit cards.”

“This is exactly why Rep. Wheeler will be an asset to the people of McHenry County,” said Ed Donahue of the Law Office of Donahue and Walsh.  “This is a common sense approach to an issue that affects everyone.  I am the owner of a small business and credit card surcharges have always been a cost of doing business.  I am also a consumer and this is a bill that protects the consumer.”