Springfield , IL … In an effort to get Illinois ‘ ailing economy back on track the Illinois House and Senate passed a capital program late Thursday evening that includes money to get long-overdue infrastructure projects underway.

“We finally passed a small capital bill for much-needed maintenance to our roads and infrastructure. Illinois has been without a capital plan for far too long. This is a good start to get Illinois back on track as it will also stimulate the economy and put people back to work,” said Biggins.

The capital bill will begin to get projects underway that have been put on hold. The Illinois Department of Transportation has a slew of projects that need to be tackled but couldn’t because of finances. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL … Child pornography has become a huge issue in recent years. Legislators have struggled with how to address the growing concern and House Bill 1316 sponsored by State Representative Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) helps continue that work.

Under the current law there is no difference in the sentencing of someone who was in possession of still pictures or videos.

“We are continuing to work hard in the legislature in order to protect children and families from predators on the internet. This bill further strengthens the existing law by creating a stronger punishment for someone that is in possession of or has filmed child pornography videos,” Biggins said. Continue reading »

Elmhurst, IL … In an effort to make hospitals better equipped to handle patients that have suffered a stroke State Representative Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst), a stroke survivor himself, was the chief sponsor of House Bill 2244 which passed in the General Assembly this week.

House Bill 2244 provides that the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health develop a group to advise the Department on Primary Stroke Center Systems. This group will consist of representatives from various areas of the medical community, including EMS personnel, hospital administrators and stroke advocates.

“This is a commonsense piece of legislation that deals with the care of stroke victims. When a person is suffering from a stroke every minute is crucial; and if a hospital is not prepared to deal with a stroke victim’s specific needs quickly, that precious time could make all the difference between life and death in some cases,” said Biggins.

Hospitals can apply for grant money to become a Primary Stroke Center, and if they comply with all the requirements of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s criteria they can become a designated for that purpose. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL … Despite unanimous support from Illinois House Republicans, including State Representative Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst), a measure aimed at rolling back last year’s Cook County sales tax hike failed in the Illinois House yesterday. The legislation failed to receive the 71 votes needed to affect a home rule county, receiving 61 votes for and 55 against.

“It’s hard to believe given the state of the economy and the economic hardships that many families are enduring that anyone wouldn’t be in favor of a tax roll back. Cook County is taxed to the hilt on everything, including everyday items such as clothing, home supplies, etc. We should be helping these families, not taxing them,” Biggins said.

Biggins supported House Bill 715 which specifically limits county sales tax levies to 0.75 percent, essentially rolling back Cook County’s year old 1.75% rate. The bill would also require any future proposed increases to be approved by popular referendum. Cook County is the only home rule county in the state and therefore does not need voter permission to raise taxes, unlike the other 101 counties in Illinois. Continue reading »

Elmhurst IL… House Republican Leader Tom Cross appointed State Representative Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) to serve as spokesperson on two key financial committees. This is the fourth term Representative Biggins has been spokesman on the Appropriations and Revenue committee.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on two key economic Revenue & Finance and General Services Appropriations committees. Having served as chairman of the board of two suburban banks and a former tax assessor I feel my experience will assist me in debating the legislation that will be brought before this committee,” Biggins said.

In addition to the Appropriations and Revenue Committees, Representative Biggins was also appointed to the Executive,Tollway Oversight, Mass Transit and Aging committees. Continue reading »

Elmhurst, IL … State Representative Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) is currently accepting applications for Illinois General Assembly Scholarships to be awarded for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.

“The General Assembly Scholarship Program is a great way to award bright and talented students for their hard work. I look forward to offering eight students of the 41st District a scholarship to not only award them for the educational efforts, but to also offset their college tuition expenses,” said Biggins.

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Springfield IL … State Rep. Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) stands behind the Senate and their decision to relieve Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich of his office. The Senate voted to remove the Governor based on a number of impeachable offenses such as blatant abuse of power and federal corruption charges.

The Democrat Governor has called the Senate trial fixed and unfair. After refusing to attend the Senate trial based on those comments Governor Blagojevich will be in Springfield tomorrow to testify before the Senate. “The Governor has been given the opportunity to present his case to the Senate, instead he chose to make a mockery of the entire process,” Biggins said.

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Springfield IL … State Rep. Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst) took the oath of office during the inauguration of the 96^th General Assembly at the University of Illinois at Springfield .

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Illinois in the General Assembly for over a decade. I will continue to work tirelessly to serve in the best interests of the 41^st District,” said Biggins, who is beginning his eighth term in the Illinois House of Representatives.

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Springfield IL… The Illinois House of representatives voted to impeach Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich for abuse of power on Friday. This is the first time in the history of Illinois that a sitting governor has been impeached. Blagojevich is scheduled to go on trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office.

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