April 30, 2010

The defeat this week of both a bi-partisan reform plan, and a strictly partisan amendment that many felt would have made things worse rather than better, virtually guaranteed that the General Assembly will not address gerrymandering reform before the next 10-year plan must be adopted.

On Thursday, Republican House members stood with a broad coalition of government reform groups, as well as most editorial writers in the state, in opposition to SJRCA 121. They were joined by one Democrat member of the House in defeating the proposal.

The measure, which had been previously pushed out of the Senate on a straight partisan roll call, retained the fatal flaw of allowing politicians to draw their own districts and pick their own voters.

Read more: Redistricting reform unlikely to advance in 2010

For the third year in a row, veterans from across Illinois traveled to Springfield to take part in Veterans Legislative Day hosted by the Senate Republican Caucus.

Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno delivered the opening remarks, specially thanking this year’s sponsor, Wal-Mart, which was represented at the event by Jason Wetzel, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Wal-Mart.

Later, the Colors were presented and the assembly was led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Later, a flag folding ceremony was conducted, during leaders explained what each of the 13 folds of the flag represent.

The rest of the day was filled with a variety of speakers, including Senate Republican members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Read more: Third Veterans Legislative Day very successful

April 27, 2010

Park district representatives from across Illinois attended the annual Park Day at the State Capitol on April 27 to speak to lawmakers and the public about area parks, and to highlight the many benefits of conservation areas.

Representatives from the New Lenox Park District met with Sen. Radogno to talk about the park district’s facilities, and highlight some notable events and programs that are currently being offered by the New Lenox Park District.

Pictured from left to right: Jacque Tuma, Executive Assistant, Shirley Braglia, Recreation Superintendent, Greg Lewis, Executive Director, and Sen. Radogno.

April 27, 2010

Senator Radogno was recently a guest on FOX Chicago Sunday. Watch the interview below for the Senator's perspective on the Illinois budget, the dire need for spending cuts, and the issue of state-owned vehicles being used by Illinois legislators.