NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator Michael Frerichs, 52nd Legislative District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 31, 2012

Frerichs’ enterprise zone extension measure heads to governor

SPRINGFIELD, IL- The General Assembly today voted to extend enterprise zones that were set to begin expiring in 2013. The measure, Senate Bill 3616, now moves to Governor Quinn for his approval. State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) led the effort as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Special Committee on Enterprise Zone Extensions that held four statewide public hearings.

The Enterprise Zone Program is one of the state’s most proven and successful economic development tools. Through Senate Bill 3616, the 97 current enterprise zones in Illinois will be extended for another 25 years, and an additional five new zones will be created in the next two decades as the current River’s Edge Zones expire and those areas become enterprise zones. Senator Frerichs released the following statement:

“I am very happy that the legislature was able to agree on the necessity to extend enterprise zones in Illinois for another 25 years. Job creation and sustainability is vital to building our economy, and business have stated repeatedly that this is a program that works to grow and expand businesses in our state. Not only did we vote to continue the current 97 enterprise zones, but we are able to create five new zones because the program is so successful. I want to thank all who worked on this effort and look forward to the continued success of the enterprise zone program.”

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NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator Michael Frerichs, 52nd Legislative District

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Frerichs responds to passage of Senate budget

SPRINGFIELD, IL- State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) today voted in support of a budget proposal aimed to lower state spending and limit cuts to necessary state programs. The proposal passed the Senate with a party-lined vote, 34-24, and now heads to the House for consideration. Senator Frerichs released the statement below:

“This proposal allows us to pay down our bills and responsibly rein in spending. This budget prioritizes education and higher education, protecting them from draconian cuts, but the cuts are fair with everyone being asked to sacrifice. These investments must be protected and if we continue to act irresponsibly and avoid the tough choices, the people of Illinois will just continue to suffer. With this budget, our spending is lower than Governor Quinn’s proposal and less than last year’s budget, and will make good progress to pay down our bills.”

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Statement from State Senator Michael Frerichs, 52nd Legislative District

For Immediate Release: Monday, May 21, 2012

SPRINGFIELD, IL – After the Illinois House of Representatives today voted to abolish the scandal-ridden General Assembly waiver program, State Senator Michael Frerichs (D – Champaign) called on Governor Quinn to waste no time in signing the measure into law. Senator Frerichs issued the following statement:

“We are one step closer to seeing the General Assembly waivers eliminated, and I urge Governor Quinn to sign the measure immediately. Our colleges and universities are struggling to keep their doors open and are forced to pass rising costs on to students and their families. We have to invest in our future, but rising tuition is making college less and less affordable. The University of Illinois has to absorb the costs of this program. That’s why I’ve pushed this initiative for the last three years. I hope Governor Quinn gives our universities some relief by signing this bill quickly.”