“I am very disappointed with the Governor’s lack of vision during his State of the State speech. I expected details on how he plans to tackle the state’s financial crisis and boost the state’s economy, instead he talked about legislation passed last year. It’s obvious Governor Quinn is more focused on his primary campaign than he is about turning this state around,” said McAuliffe.

Governor Quinn focused on legislation that was approved last year, yet the fact remains that much hasn’t changed since he was sworn into office, said McAuliffe.

“Our number one priority this year needs to be jobs and boosting the state’s economy. This past week it was reported that Illinois lost more than 52,000 manufacturing jobs last year and 709 manufacturing firms closed their doors in Illinois. Creating jobs and putting people back to work is essential to turning the state’s economy around,” said McAuliffe.

The Governor also failed to mention his plan for an income tax increase, which he plans to promote after the February 2 primary.

“Despite our high unemployment rate he continues to push for a 50 percent increase in the state’s income tax on working families and employers, which I will fight again this year,” said McAuliffe.

McAuliffe saw first hand the need and mission for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

McAuliffe and Alicia Huguelet, the director of public policy from the GCFD, discussed the growing number of individuals and families who rely on the meals and food supply especially during these tough economic times.

“I was very pleased to see the great work the Greater Chicago Food Depository provides not only to my community but also to the greater Chicago area. These tough economic times make families, children and senior citizens grow more dependent on the services that this organization provides to food pantries as well as senior programs,” McAuliffe said.

The GCFD not only helps people in Chicago , but also surrounding communities in Cook County .  There are at least three non-for-profit groups on the northwest side of Chicago who heavily rely on the food donations provided by GCFD: New Hope United Methodist Church ( 7115 W. Hood Ave. , Chicago ), Windy City Community Church ( 6131 N. Newark Ave. , Chicago ), and Norwood Crossing ( 6016-20 N. Nina Ave. , Chicago ).

Ms. Huguelet also thanked Rep. McAuliffe for his support for an income tax check off which enables individuals to donate a portion of their tax refund from the State of Illinois .

For more information contact Rep. McAuliffe at 773-792-0749 or at mmcauliffe20@yahoo.com, the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website at www.chicagosfoodbank.org.

“There is a real need in Chicago to provide more services for our veterans, including another residential home for them. I am happy to finally to bring this plan to fruition.  This veterans home is something that has been in the planning stages for years and I applaud all of the people who have contributed to this complex issue. The new home will help meet the needs of our veteran community,” said McAuliffe.

For more information, contact Rep. McAuliffe at (773) 792-0749

“This is a very important day to pay homage to those who have dedicated their lives to protect our country. As the Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, it is a privilege to honor our troops on this day,” said McAuliffe.

Residents are invited to attend the Veteran’s Day event with American Legion Post 541 in Edison Park along with Boy Scout Troop 955 and Color Guards at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Monument Park, 6679 N. Avondale Avenue.

McAuliffe will also honor veterans at 2:30 p.m. Monday, November 9, at Norwood Crossing, 6016-20 N Nina Avenue, Chicago. Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Barry will speak and Taft High School’s Navy ROTC and the Band and Buglers will help commemorate this occasion.

For more information, Rep. McAuliffe can be reached at his district office by calling (773) 792-0749.

“Illinois residents are demanding change from the status-quo of state politics. Unfortunately this legislation does not truly reform campaign finance, instead it reduces the political power of the voter and increases the political heavyweights’ grip on the legislature,” said McAuliffe.

Senate Bill 1466 includes campaign contribution caps for individuals, corporations, unions and political action committees. However, the bill does not limit contributions from a political party to a candidate during a general election. Instead it caps political party contributions during a primary election.

House Republicans filed an amendment to SB 1466 to make the limits on party contributions apply not only for the primary election, but also for the general election.  Democrats blocked the Republican proposal in the House Rules Committee.

“The original legislation didn’t go far enough, which is why I supported the House Republican initiative to cap party contributions for not only the primary, but also the general election, which is where the true power of the political bosses is shown. In a single race, hundreds of thousands of dollars is spent by political parties to help one candidate win. We have to limit the influence of political bosses and put the Illinois legislature back in the hands of the voters.,” said McAuliffe.

Last month, McAuliffe filed legislation that would provide the Cook County Board of Commissioners to override the county board president’s veto by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its members or 11 of 17 commissioners. If approved by the General Assembly and the Governor, the legislation would take effect immediately. Currently, four-fifths of the commissioners are needed to approve an override.

Prior to this week’s veto session, the bill was picked up by Democrat Mark Walker of Arlington Heights .

“This is politics. In the end, it doesn’t matter who gets the bill passed, as long as the measure is good for Cook County taxpayers. I am very pleased the bill was approved because it is exactly what residents of my district are seeking – fair representation. Commissioners represent the people and families throughout the county are begging for a change in the status quo,” said McAuliffe.

For more information, please call Rep. McAuliffe’s district office at (773) 792-0749.

“There is an overwhelming support from residents and Cook County Commissioners to reduce the sales tax hike, unfortunately politics is getting in the way of providing financial relief to these families who are getting hit with tax increases at all levels of government,” said McAuliffe.

McAuliffe filed House Bill 4616 that would provide the Cook County Board of Commissioners to override a veto by the county board president by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its members. If approved by the General Assembly and the Governor, the legislation would take effect immediately. Currently, four-fifths of the commissioners are needed to approve an override.

The legislation comes on the heels of three failed attempts to reduce the sales tax.

In 2008, the Cook County Board voted to increase the sales tax, making Chicago the highest sales tax region in the nation.

Since then, McAuliffe has filed and sponsored legislation to:

• Repeal the tax hike.
• Require future proposed tax increased to be approved by popular referendum.
• Require a three-fifths supermajority vote for any tax or fee increases by Cook County.

Unfortunately, the bills filed by McAuliffe were not approved by the General Assembly.

Rep. McAuliffe can be reached at his district office located at 6650 N. Northwest Hwy., Chicago, or by calling (773) 792-0749.

The 7 p.m. watch role call with Chicago Police Cmdr. Anthony Riccio took place in front of a home at 7720 W. Catalpa with 20 police officers and more than 50 residents of the neighborhood in attendance.

Doherty said he was glad the community rallied together to clean up the neighborhood.

“I want to personally thank Commander Riccio, the police officers and the community for resolving this issue and keeping our neighborhood safe,” he said.

Residents of the home have been the subject of numerous 911 calls and previous CAPS meetings. They have been arrested for disorderly conduct, underage drinking, setting off car alarms and other nuisance-type activities.

McAuliffe said the nuisance activities continued even after the arrests, which is why the community meeting was called.

“Local residents have been suffering sleepless nights as a result of the nuisance coming from this residence. We take complaints very seriously and this community meeting shows residents that action will be taken to deal with the offenders,” said McAuliffe.

Riccio informed the neighbors of the past actions of the offending residents and what should transpire in the near future. The building department attempted to gain access to the home, however, they were denied. A stop work order was placed on the home by the building department, which is also seeking a court order to gain access to the home.

For more information, call Alderman Doherty’s office at (773) 792-1991 or Representative McAuliffe’s office at (773) 792-0749.

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The website, www.ReinventIllinois.com, is an effort by McAuliffe and the House Republicans to reform state priorities and promote fiscal responsibility.  To join the ongoing budget discussions to reform Illinois, please visit www.reinventillinois.com and register for a free login to submit your own ideas.

For more information, contact Rep. McAuliffe’s district office at (773) 792-0749.

“While this budget deal is not the most ideal, it is the best option we have available to us at the moment. It stabilizes funding for human service providers and gives us a little more time to work on fiscal and ethical reforms without raising taxes,” said McAuliffe.

The budget legislation prevents threatened deep cuts to human service providers, meets the state’s pension obligation for this year and keeps state government functioning. Correctional facilities will continue to operate, state troopers will be on the roads and schools and universities will open on time.

The budget also requires lawmakers to take 12 unpaid furlough days in addition to the salary freeze they approved earlier this year.

“Times are tough right now for everyone. Several businesses recently implemented salary freezes and unpaid days, it’s only fair that state government do the same,” he said.

Even though the budget passed, McAuliffe said reforms need to continue to be a top priority for state government.

“We need to focus on fiscal responsibility and change the way the state spends money. We also need to set reforms that truly make government transparent and open to all residents. Illinois families deserve to know their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely,” said McAuliffe.

For more information, contact Rep. McAuliffe’s district office at (773) 792-0749.