West Chicago, IL….State Representatives Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale), Sandy Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn), Darlene Senger (R-Naperville), Michael Connelly (R-Naperville), Patti Bellock (Westmont) and State Senator Randy Hultgren (R-Wheaton) will be hosting a Legislative Forum on Autism. This forum is free and open to the public. In addition to residents sharing their concerns with the representatives, there will be three guest speakers sharing information about existing programs available to local residents.

The information for the forum is as follows:

Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Monday, March 8
Location: Wheaton Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard Rd., Wheaton, IL

Speakers: Ami Chambers, Parents Alliance Employment Project
TOPIC – “An Introduction to Adult Supported Employment Services”

Christopher M. Kennedy, Esq. Partner of Kennedy, Pierson & Strachan, LLP
TOPIC – Advocacy & Legislative Issues

Karen Sweeney, QMRP, Director of Community Services, PACT
TOPIC – “State Funded Community Services”

For more information contact Maria Rook at (630) 293-9344.

West Chicago … Private schooled kindergarteners will now be able to enter first grade at an earlier age under legislation sponsored by State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) and signed today into law by Governor Quinn.

“Numerous studies have shown that there is no set age for a child’s readiness or development. Each child is different. Based on these studies, age alone should not be the determining factor on whether a child can enter first grade,” said Rep. Fortner

Rep. Fortner stated that under current law public schools require students to be 7 yrs. old for enrollment into first grade and would deny enrollment to younger children even though they had completed kindergarten at a private institution. House Bill 806 would address that issue and allow a 6 yr. old student who had completed a state certified preschool and kindergarten to enroll in first grade. Continue reading »

West Chicago … State Representative Mike Fortner is currently accepting applications for the Illinois General Assembly Scholarship. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be a full time student enrolled at a state university and live in the 95th district which includes parts of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, and West Chicago. Students can check to see if they live in the 95th district by either going to www.ilga.gov or calling the DuPage Board of Elections at (630) 407-5600.

The General Assembly Scholarship covers one year of tuition (not including room and board or fees) at the following state universities: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Governors State, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Northeastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, the University of Illinois and Western Illinois.

Applications can be requested via email at mike.fortner@sbcglobal.net or picking one up at the district office, 135 Fremont Street, West Chicago, IL 60185. Applicants must submit the completed application, three current letters of recommendation, high school and college transcripts and a written statement on the topics listed in the application. The deadline for the completed application is April 9th.

Winners will be selected by an independent committee which will rate each student based on community and school involvement, essay, academic success and financial need.

For additional information, please contact Maria in Rep Fortner’s district office at (630) 293-9344.

West Chicago …State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) announced that funding has been released for the state’s “Safe Route to School” grant program.According to Rep. Fortner, two municipalities in the 95th district received grants for the construction, replacement or repair of sidewalks and bicycling paths. The City of Batavia received $165,000 grant money and the Wheaton/Warrenville area received $250,000.

“As our kids go back to school this month, this program is one additional safeguard our towns can put into place to ensure the safety of our kids going to and from school. In addition to safety, the construction of these sidewalks and bike paths will hopefully motivate our children to be more active,” Rep. Fortner said.

The Illinois Safe Routes to School program received close to $23 million in funds from the National Safe Routes to School Program through the Federal Highway Administration. This program is designed to provide schools and community groups with funding to build safer routes to schools and to provide programs to enable students to become safer walkers and cyclists. These improvements include engineering solutions, safety education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation programs that work together to encourage children to get the exercise they need to lead happy, healthy lives.

Additional questions can be directed to Rep. Fortner’s office at (630) 293-9344.

West Chicago … State Representative Mike Fortner’s (R-West Chicago) scholarship committee announces the selection of the 95th District General Assembly scholarship winners. Fortner’s scholarship committee selected recipients based on academic success, personal need, recommendation letters and a written essay.”My scholarship committee did a great job of reviewing all of the applications and selected some of the brightest and hardest working students in my district. I am extremely proud of these student’s accomplishments and I wish them continued success in their academic careers,” Fortner said.

The winners include:

Kevin Carrington – West Chicago Community High School (high school attended)
David Donndelinger – Wheaton North High School
Shannon Fritz – West Aurora High School
Esther Kim – Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Kristen Knudsen – Wheaton North High School
Ernesto Romo – West Chicago Community High School
Anna Skorupski – West Chicago Community High School
Catherine Smith – Geneva Community High School

Additional questions can be directed to Representative Fortner at (630) 293-9344.

Springfield … After having his legislative redistricting map selected by the state of Ohio for its balanced and non-partisan approach, State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) today proposed legislation which would reform and open up the redistricting process in Illinois by using a similar system as being considered in Ohio.

“Ohio had a great idea in trying to reform their redistricting process. By switching to an open source system, they took a highly partisan process and made it more transparent and open to the public,” said Rep. Fortner. “I learned a lot as I balanced the different criteria in competing in the Ohio contest. I hope that Illinois will reform a system where currently the politicians select their voters rather then the people selecting their representatives.” Continue reading »

Democrats Propose Higher Income Taxes and Fund Sweeps for Temporary Budget

Springfield … State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) today, voted against Governor Quinn’s 50% income tax increase and a temporary budget which delays the tough decisions on the state’s fiscal problems.

“After six years of the backroom, shady dealings of Governor Blagojevich, the Democrats still proposed and passed a budget that lacks transparency. By making lump sum appropriations instead of identifying each line item, they essentially were able to hide where your tax dollars are being spent,” said Rep. Fortner. “In addition, fund sweeps does a disservice to the people who paid fees for a specific purpose – such as a hunting license. The Democrats have talked about change and reform and yet their actions don’t follow their words.” Continue reading »

Springfield … Today, the House unanimously passed legislation which rejects a pay raise for legislators, stops the practice of retroactive pay raises and requires all members of the General Assembly to take four furlough days.

“The state’s budget is currently billions in the red, and we need to make cuts to balance our books. It would be wrong for the legislature to treat itself differently, and we are right to start cuts with our own pay,” said State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago). Continue reading »

Dear Editor,

Reform is in the air, Illinois families and legislators alike are demanding change. However, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democrat caucus continues to ignore pleas for change from families they were elected to serve.

Immediately after the Illinois Reform Commission released its unbiased list of reforms aimed at cleaning up state government and restoring the public’s trust, House Republican Leader Tom Cross requested that Speaker Madigan convene the House as a Committee of the whole to allow IRC Chairman Patrick Collins to present and discuss the commission’s suggested reforms with the entire House.

Without hesitation, the idea was blocked by Speaker Madigan’s floor leader Barbara Flynn Currie, “No, there’s no chance at all, for heaven’s sake. If (Cross) wants a few more opportunities on the floor of the Illinois House, he better do a better job electing Republicans.” Continue reading »

Springfield … State Representative Mike Fortner (R – West Chicago) today announced that West Chicago Park District received a $400,000 Open Spaces Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Fortner added that the grant will be used to renovate Pioneer Park which is a 30 acre community park located in the heart of West Chicago. The development of Pioneer Park will include a splash pad, softball field, shelter, landscaping, play environment, fishing station with interpretive sign, basketball courts, soccer court, trail system, and exercise stations.

“West Chicago Park District was part of $21.2 million in grants that was released by the state for 59 park development and land acquisition projects throughout Illinois,” said Rep. Fortner. “In these tough economic times, this is an opportunity to not only put people back to work but also improve the quality of life for our residents.” Continue reading »