Jim Watson’s May 4th speech in Jacksonville to a crowd gathered to see the Illinois Patriot Guard Traveling Memorial Wall. The Wall is dedicated to fallen Illinois veterans of the recent Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For more information on the Memorial Wall: http://www.ilpgmemorialwall.com/
Springfield… Today, the Commission on Government Forecasting & Accountability (COGFA) gathered in Springfield to discuss the Governor’s recent decision to close the Jacksonville and Tinley Park Developmental Centers. State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) went before the Commission and formally requested a hearing be held in the community of Jacksonville so that local officials, employees, and families of patients at JDC have an opportunity to comment on Governor Quinn proposal.
“The Governor’s plan for closing down these facilities is far from detailed.” Watson said. “The upcoming hearings in Jacksonville and Tinley Park will give us time to shine more light on the issue.”
COGFA Senate Co-Chair Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and House Co-Chair Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale) both requested that the Governor’s administration provide a more detailed plan, including information about the costs of shutting down these facilities.
Watson said the members of COGFA did not seem to agree with Quinn’s so-called “detailed plan” to close the facilities.
“I appreciate COGFA for agreeing to hold additional public hearing in Jacksonville and Tinley Park,” Watson said. “I also appreciated the members of COGFA for asking pointed questions of the Quinn Administration in an effort to gather more information.”
COGFA plans to host hearings at the Jacksonville Developmental Center and Tinley Park Developmental Center in the near future, but no dates have been set as of yet.
Springfield…Efforts by supporters to keep the Jacksonville Developmental Center open were successful Tuesday night as the Illinois House of Representative passed a reallocation budget to fund seven state facilities Governor Quinn threatened to close earlier this summer. State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) led the charge ensuring the Jacksonville Developmental Center at least one more year of operation.
“I’m grateful the leaders came together with the governor and agreed to work something out, especially Leader Cross who really fought to keep the facilities open,” Watson said. “Sometimes this process is ugly, but at least we got it right in the end. Jacksonville community and all the communities with facilities who were facing closure can finally rest easy tonight.”
The Jacksonville Developmental Center along with six other state facilities faced possible closure due to lack of funds. . After months of COGFA hearings and proposals to keep the facilities open, Senate Bill 2412 passed both chambers with sure confidence Governor Quinn would sign the bill.
“My thanks go out to everyone who helped ensure JDC clients and employees another year,” Watson said. “Now we must go back to the drawing board with the new budget cycle, but I am happy for my community and the others that were saved as well.”
Senate Bill 2412 passed the House by a vote of 92-20-0. It will be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.
Springfield, IL… State Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville)
“The House Republican Caucus under the leadership of Tom Cross took the lead to save these facilities. The announcement that Jacksonville Developmental Center will remain open is a victory for the 20,000 individuals who signed our petition; for all those who testified at the public hearings, wrote letters, sent emails and made phone calls. As a community we stood united and tonight our voice was heard.”
Springfield… The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) gathered in the states capitol today to take a vote on three possible facility closures around Illinois. State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) represents constituents affected by the proposed closure of the Jacksonville Developmental Center.
“Closing this facility would devastate the residents and staff of JDC along with the local economy,” Watson said. “COGFA’s vote showed that everyone is on the same page except Governor Quinn.”
The Jacksonville Development Center was established by the Illinois legislature in 1847 as a facility designed for the care of the mentally ill. JDC currently serves 195 severely developmentally challenged residents, most of these individuals are not ready to move to community programs, and 75 of these individuals will have extreme difficulty transitioning if ever.
“The residents of JDC have nowhere else to go,” Watson said. “This facility was designed to handle the individuals who reside there and the staff is well-trained. We must continue to pressure Governor Quinn and his administration to keep the Jacksonville Developmental Center open.”
COGFA voted 7-4-0 in favor of the Jacksonville Developmental Center open and 7-4-0. The Logan County Correctional Center and Tinley Park Mental Health Center were also voted to keep open.
“I appreciate all the hard work put forth by both parties and thank them for their efforts,” Watson concluded.
Jacksonville… State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) released the following statement in response to Governor Quinn’s decision to shut down the Jacksonville Developmental Center.
“Quinn’s recent choice to close down vital state facilities including the Jacksonville Developmental Center is completely outrageous. His actions will cost 494 jobs and the care of developmentally challenged clients who need daily care in order to survive.
It appears he is trying to create another emergency to force the General Assembly to re-visit his spending and borrowing proposals that we soundly rejected in the spring. The Governor can’t close these facilities tomorrow. His recommendations must still be presented to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) and public hearings held. The total process could take between 50 and 90 days.”
Springfield… A bill creating the Illinois Sunshine Commission passed through the state legislature recently, and now moves its way to the governor’s desk. The bill, co-sponsored by State Representative Jim Watson (R Jacksonville), will create a committee of legislators and citizens with the purpose of identifying wasteful programs.
“I’m proud that progress can be made during these times of contentious debate over our budget,” Watson said.
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Springfield… Representative Jim Watson and House Republicans voted unanimously against SJRCA0121, an amendment further securing majority party control of the redistricting process. In a heated debate, Watson pressed Democratic Majority Leader Representative Barbara Flynn Currie for an explanation of the bill’s language.
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Springfield… The $13 billion budget deficit hasn’t stopped state officials from flying back and forth to Chicago on the state’s executive aircraft at a cost of $3,000 per hour.
State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) is backing legislation to sell the state fleet of executive aircraft. Watson is chief co-sponsor of House Bill 4800, which would sell three executive aircraft and two helicopters owned by the State that are not designated for emergency use.
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