The budget passed in the House does not call for an income tax or sales tax increase, but does close some corporate tax loopholes. The budget provides an additional $300 million for general state aid to schools, a 7% increase over last year. We continue to increase our commitment to funding early childhood education with an additional $30 million. Importantly, we are meeting our pension obligations with $1.04 billion this year. To continue our effort to reform and better fund public employee pensions, an additional $550 million is devoted to the state retirement system - consistent with the certified required contributions submitted by the pension systems, as well as current statutory requirements.

The Senate never voted against the House budget, in fact, they didn't receive the House budget because of some parliamentary maneuver. Negotiations will continue as revenue sources such as casinos are explored. Funding education, pensions, healthcare expansion, and transportation are the top priorities being discussed in Springfield. Property tax and electric rate relief are also big concerns across the state.

I continue to advocate for funding for our schools, pensions, the environment, transportation and programs for the developmentally disabled. I am hopeful that we will have a budget agreement by the end of the month.

I am pleased that a cable competition bill has passed as it will bring needed competition to the state, opening the door to competitive rates and service. Many of you may know the bill as House Bill 1500 which created the Cable and Video Competition Law. The compromise language was placed in Senate Bill 678 which is what ultimately passed the Senate and House.

I have always been a strong advocate for consumers in our state and support genuine efforts to increase competition. I serve on the Telecommunications Committee and took a lead position on this issue bringing together a group of consumer advocates to work on the bill. We worked long and hard to negotiate a bill with the strongest consumer protections in the country.

The Illinois Municipal League was strongly opposed to the initial bill but was neutral with the amendment. Additionally, the rewrite of the bill does not allow circumvention of municipalities. For example, rights of way access must be approved locally and public access channels are preserved.

The law will apply to new and current cable providers. We have learned quite a bit about deregulation and have put a sunset clause in place so that the bill can be revisited in six years. This will enable us to review build-out requirements and consumer protections.

Thank you to those who contacted me about this issue. Overwhelmingly, your concerns were about choice in programming and rates. I also want to thank the municipal Cable Commission members in my district for the technical expertise they shared with me and I appreciate those who participated in the public hearing I held in Deerfield in April.

As legislators in Springfield continue to look for new revenue sources, gambling continues to remain on the list. The options include expanding gambling at current casinos or approving new casinos in the state. I do not believe gambling is an appropriate source of revenue; however, it was important for me to hear from my constituents regarding this issue and thanks to those who have shared your views.

Earlier this month many of you responded to a survey I sent about gaming. Sixty five percent believe that gaming is NOT a suitable revenue source. Of this group, slightly half would reluctantly accept gaming revenue to support education.

Although the majority believe gambling is not a good revenue policy, 57% would support expanded gaming position at existing casinos. There are proposals to build four new casinos: Chicago, Waukegan, O'Hare, and in the south suburbs. While there was not overwhelming support for a new casino anywhere, 46% (the highest reported in my survey) indicated they could support a new casino in Chicago.

I continue to hear from many of you regarding your concerns about casinos and will keep your thoughts in mind as we continue to work on the state budget.

It is illegal to serve a minor alcohol. While that law has not changed, the consequences of a violation have. When a violation directly or indirectly results in great bodily harm or death, the parent or guardian violating the provision will now be guilty of a felony. Senator Susan Garrett and I are extremely pleased that our legislation passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his signature.

You may have heard the term "Alcopop" which describes bottled alcoholic beverages that resemble soft drinks and lemonade. These drinks tend to be sweet and served in small bottles and can be attractive to minors. I was chief co-sponsor of a bill prohibiting the advertising, promotion, or marketing of alcopop beverages to children. I am pleased that this bill passed both houses as well.

The state of Michigan has passed a groundbreaking law to regulate ballast water and stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. A coalition of shipping companies and industry groups has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging Michigan's new law.

I have filed an amicus brief in support of Michigan's law, along with four other legislators from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. More than 180 aquatic species are now in the Great Lakes, forcing our region to spend tens of millions of dollars to combat the billions of dollars in damage they cause.

I am a chief co-sponsor of House Bill 375 which creates the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact Act which is an agreement between the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to better protect and manage Great Lakes water. The bill passed both houses and is before the Governor.

One of my priorities is cleaning up Lake Michigan and preserving the Great Lakes. Many of you are concerned about the clean up of Waukegan Harbor and I continue to work on obtaining the funding for this necessary project.

Wednesday, July 4, we will be celebrating Independence Day. I look forward to seeing you as I march in all our parades. Our busy parade schedule includes Lake Bluff (10 am), Highland Park (10 am), Deerfield (noon), Glencoe (2 pm), Northbrook (2:30 pm).

I would love to have your support by joining me in the parades. I will have t-shirts for you to wear and flower seed packets to distribute to the celebrating crowds. Please call my office to let us know in which parade you can join me. 847-433-9100.