Springfield, IL…Thursday’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn a 2005 law which placed caps on non-economic medical malpractice damages will be costly to Illinois residents, and could lead to some even larger gaps in our medical coverage throughout rural Illinois according to State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville).
Jacksonville, IL…With Illinois’ primary election less than a week away, a number of counties are raising concerns about a little known law that could cause serious headaches for polling places throughout the state. The 2007 Illinois Undervote Notification Law was designed to notify voters when they do not cast a vote for one or more of Illinois’ constitutional offices, such as Governor or Secretary of State. Continue reading »
Open to the Public
Monday, February 1, 2010
10AM
Pittsfield Community Center
Friday, February 5, 2010
10AM
Council Chambers
Jacksonville Municipal Building
Monday, February 8, 2010
10AM Greene County Court House, Carrollton
1:30PM Jerseyville City Hall, Jerseyville
HB 5008 will impose campaign limits on legislative leaders in general election
In keeping their pledge to Illinois residents to continue to push true campaign finance reform, Illinois House Republican Leader Rep. Tom Cross and his members support a bill that would impose campaign contribution limits on legislative leaders and political parties in the general election.
“The current law puts contribution limits on everyone EXCEPT the four legislative leaders and political parties in the general election. That is not fair—we must apply the rules to everyone,” said Cross. “We could not support the bill that passed last year because it only imposed these limits in primary elections. This new bill closes the gaping loophole that was created by that law.”
For Immediate Release Contact: Rep. Watson
January 14, 2010 (217) 243-6221
Springfield, IL…State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) said that is was nice that the Governor, unlike his predecessor, set a cooperative tone for what will very likely be a difficult session. However there were very few details on how the state is going to deal with the huge multi-billion dollar deficit that we have.”
State Representative Jim Watson is hosting a Holiday Appreciation Lunch & “Toys for Tots” Collection. Bring the entire family, and Santa Claus will be on hand to Greet the Kids.
Bring the entire family; Santa Claus will be on Hand to Greet the Kids!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Noon – 4pm
Bogart’s Banquet Hall
2142 E State St, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, IL…State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) is proposing legislation that will help to address the inconsistencies which occur when children of active duty military members are forced to relocate due to reassignment.
“The average child of military personnel will attend between six to nine Continue reading »
With the winter months quickly approaching, I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of some of the programs and services available to keep your energy costs to a minimum as the temperature falls.
Springfield- Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) joined his House Republicans colleagues today to propose legislation allowing delinquent taxpayers to pay what they owe in income and sales taxes to the state during a month and a half period in early 2010 with NO penalty.
HB 4622 allows individuals and corporations that failed to pay their taxes on time between June 20, 2002 and January 15, 2010 an opportunity to pay taxes without delinquency payments. Under the proposed legislation, this tax amnesty window will open from January 1, 2010 until February 15, 2010. Continue reading »
There is a scene in Band of Brothers where one of the enlisted men describes his commanding officer’s lack of leadership:
“Lt. Dike wasn’t a poor leader because he made bad decisions, Lt. Dike was a poor leader because he made no decisions.”
And therein lies the problem in Springfield – a failure by the select few who yield power to make tough decisions.
I think it is difficult for most people, including some legislators, to grasp the severity of Illinois’ budget crisis. Democrats, in general, resist budget cuts and Republicans, in general, resist tax increases. At a time when the state faces a $10 billion hole, many public assistance agencies have actually called for increased funding. At a time when job creation should be job 1, many labor groups have called for an extension of prevailing wage legislation which would hinder job growth. Continue reading »