| 1. | Contact your State Legislators to let them know how important the Nature Center and its programs are to you and your family and that you'd like to see the funding reinstated. Click here or scroll down for a list of local legislators. |
On Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Governor Blagojevich amendatorily vetoed the General Assembly’s budget bill and in doing so once again eliminated the $3 million line-item appropriation for park district museums located in areas with an existing off-track betting facility.
The General Assembly had included the museum funding in the FY 09 budget, however, it now will be necessary to fight for its restoration.
Please contact your state legislators as soon as possible and ask that they work to restore the appropriated amount when the Illinois House of Representatives returns to Springfield on Tuesday, July 15th. (The Senate is not scheduled to convene until November 12, 2008.)
HB5861 - Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee. (NOTE: this bill was introduced tas a supplemental appropriations bill to the 2008 fiscal year budget which ended on June 30. It is not clear at this point what happens to it now that the new fiscal year has begun. Check back for more information.)
SB1102 Passed by both Houses and sent to the Governor. This is the budget for fiscal year 2009 (July 1 2008-June 31 2009) and funding for the Park District Museum Fund is included.
However, the budget as passed is not balanced which will force the Governor to use his line-item veto. It remains to be seen whether or not the Museum funding will survive.
HB5861 - Second Reading - Short Debate
HB5861 - Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 9, 2008
Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson, Rep. William B. Black, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Esther Golar, and Rep. Bob Biggins added as co-sponsors to HB5861.
HB5861 approved by Appropriations-General Services Committee. Returns to House floor for Second Reading and Short Debate. Second Reading scheduled for Tuesday, March 11.
The General Assembly has begun debating the 2009 budget. Regional hearings will be held at which legislators will take comments from concerned citizens and agencies. See link at left for more information on these hearings.
HB5861 is referred to the Appropriations-General Services Committee. Click here to go to the status page for HB5861.
Governor Blagojovich presents his budget for the fiscal year 2009 which begins July 1st. Funding for museums and park districts is not included but the legislature will have a chance to make changes during the budget negotiation process.
Sandra M. Pihos, State Representative for the western half of Oakbrook Terrace, introduces legislation in the House that will restore the funding for all affected agencies. This is a supplemental appropriations bill for the current fiscal year which ends in June. Click here to go to the status page for the bill, known as HB5861.
Senate President Emil Jones refuses to bring the override up for a vote in the Senate. The deadline passes and the Governor's cuts beome law.
Illinois House of Representatives votes 105-4 in favor of overriding the veto and reinstating the items that were cut. Sent to Senate for consideration.
Governor enacts line-item veto which, among other items, cuts the funds allocated to the Museum Grant Fund and distributes the money to other areas. The General Assembly can potentially override the veto if there is enough support.
State budget for fiscal year 2008 (begins July 1, 2007) passes both houses of the legislature. Sent to Governor for signature.
Listed below are legislators from the surrounding area. If your legislators are different, please contact them as well.
| Dan Cronin | 21st | Senator 21st District 309G Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8107 |
313 South Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 792-0040 (630) 792-8620 FAX |
| Don Harmon | 39th | 605 Capitol Building |
6933 W. North Avenue |
| Emil Jones | 14th | 327 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-2728 |
507 West 111th Street Chicago, IL 60628 (773) 995-7748 (773) 995-9061 FAX |
| John Millner | 28th | Senator 28th District |
290 Springfield Drive, Ste. 225 |
| Christine Rodogno | 41st | 309D Capitol Building |
410 Main Street |
| Mark H. Beaubien | 52nd | 314 Capitol Building |
124-A E. Liberty Street |
| Patricia R. "Patti" Bellock | 47th | 227-N Stratton Office Building |
1 S. Cass Ave. |
| Robert A. "Bob" Biggins | 41st | 207-N Stratton Office Building |
114 W. Valette |
| Daniel J. Burke | 23rd | 233-E Stratton Office Building |
2650 W. 51st Street |
| Tom Cross | 84th | 316 Capitol Building |
24047 W. Lockport St. |
| Julie Hamos | 18th | 256-W Stratton Office Building |
820 Davis Street |
| Susana A. Mendoza | 1st | 200-1S Stratton Office Building |
2500 South Millard |
| John Millner | 28th | Senator 28th District |
290 Springfield Drive, Ste. 225 |
| Sandra M. Pihos | 42nd | 225-N Stratton Office Building Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-8037 (217) 558-1072 FAX |
799 E. Roosevelt Road |
| Kathleen A. Ryg | 59th | 231-E Stratton Office Building |
50 Lakeview Parkway |
| Angelo "Skip" Saviano | 77th | 314 Capitol Building |
8153 W. Grand Avenue |