State Rep. Joe Sosnowski joined Governor Bruce Rauner at Children's Home & Aid in Rockford on Thursday to announce Illinois' first-ever Adoption Tax Credit.  Included in the new FY 2019 state budget that takes effect on July 1, the Adoption Tax Credit will provide assistance to adoptive parents who provide stable, loving homes for needy children here in the Rockford region and throughout the state; up to $5,000 per child.

The Illinois General Assembly approved a state budget for Fiscal Year 2019, which the Governor signed into law on June 4. While Illinois averted another unnecessary crisis by passing a bipartisan full-year state budget on time, the budget agreement falls short by ignoring the long overdue reforms that are needed to improve Illinois’ long-term fiscal health and generate economic growth. 

Specifically, Illinois needs comprehensive and constitutional pension reform, property tax relief and common-sense workers compensation reform in order to ignite private sector job growth in the Rockford region and across every major industry in our state. Until we act on these reforms, we are only treating the symptoms and not the causes of Illinois’ dire and persistent fiscal challenges.

With the new budget scheduled to take effect on July 1, let’s take a look at some of the highlights:

Rep. Joe Sosnowski enjoyed spending time visiting with members of Roscoe Boy Scout Troop 622 to discuss state government, constitutional rights and responsibilities.

BELVIDERE - State Rep. Joe Sosnowski enjoyed greeting local seniors at the Boone County Council on Aging Healthy Living Expo at Belvidere North High School on Tuesday. Rep. Sosnowski's office sponsored the free hot breakfast for seniors in the cafeteria. Rep. Sosnowski also had a booth in the gym offering state brochures and resources for residents of the 69th District.

Rep. Joe Sosnowski

 SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, issued the following statement in response to final passage of a state budget for Fiscal Year 2019 today by the Illinois General Assembly:

"While Illinois has averted another unnecessary crisis by passing a bipartisan full-year state budget on time, this budget agreement falls short by ignoring the long overdue reforms that are needed to improve Illinois’ long-term fiscal health and generate economic growth. Specifically, Illinois needs meaningful and constitutional pension reform, property tax relief and common-sense workers compensation reform in order to ignite private sector job growth here in the Rockford region and across every major industry in our state. Until we act on these reforms, we are only treating the symptoms and not the causes of Illinois’ very dire and growing fiscal challenges. ” 

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ROCKFORD – State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, has officially launched his 8^th Annual Summer Reading Program for kindergarten through sixth grade students who live or attend school in the 69^th District in portions of Boone and Winnebago Counties. The “Camp Out With A Good Book” program is offered to encourage students to start or maintain positive reading habits.

“I have always been an avid reader and encourage my own kids to enjoy the limitless possibilities for adventure found in books,” Rep. Sosnowski said. “I hope kids join our reading challenge and make memories that will shape their future growth and inspire a passion for lifelong learning. The summer reading program can also be a time for families to unplug and enjoy quiet time together as a family.”

“Camp Out With A Good Book” challenges students entering kindergarten – 6th grade to read ten (10) books over the summer. To celebrate Illinois’ bicentennial, Rep. Sosnowski is encouraging students to read a book about Illinois or any of the notable men and women who are Illinois natives that went on to make major contributions to U.S. history in civic leadership, science and technology, the arts and humanities, education, athletics, the Armed Forces or any other category.

Brochures have been distributed to local elementary schools, but are also available for pickup at Rep. Sosnowski’s District Office or online at www.joesosnowski.org. Participation in this program can overlap with any other summer reading programs offered through area libraries, schools, or other organizations.

Participants will be invited to an ice cream party and receive a certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives. To earn your spot at the ice cream party, a parent or guardian must fill out and sign the form and return it to Rep. Sosnowski’s office by Monday, July 9th. Students or their parents/guardians may also obtain the form online by clicking the following link.

SPRINGFIELD – Supporters of independent redistricting in the State of Illinois have been denied again, as a key deadline came and went on Sunday, May 6 with no legislative action.

Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution requires a minimum six-month window between when a constitutional amendment ballot referendum is approved by three-fifths of both chambers of the General Assembly and the next General Election. Consequently, there will be no “Fair Maps” referendum on the November 6 ballot this year.

“It is unfortunate and yet another sign of poor leadership in Springfield that voters are once again not allowed to vote on fair maps,” said State Representative Sosnowski, R-Rockford. “It is long past time that we give voters the ability to end the practice of politicians choosing their own voters.  There is no mistaking that the current redistricting process is deeply flawed and must be reformed.”

Representative Sosnowski is a co-sponsor of House Resolution 995 calling for independent redistricting reform and enacting a non-partisan mapmaking process prior to the upcoming redistricting cycle. The resolution has a total of 51 co-sponsors in the Illinois House of Representatives.

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