VILLA PARK- State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed Senate Resolution 794 to condemn the actions of white nationalists and neo-Nazis on the tragic day of August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“What happened this weekend in Charlottesville was horrific,” Cullerton said. “To be clear this was an act of domestic terrorism. The KKK, Neo-Nazis and other hate groups have no place here in Illinois. I am proud the Illinois Senate passed Resolution 794 unanimously vilifying these groups.”

SR 794 urges law enforcement agencies to recognize and protect the nation from groups like white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups as they would from other foreign terrorist organizations. 

“Illinois will not accept terrorism in any form,” Cullerton said. “Diversity should be valued and respected. It’s our duty to stand together against any ideology that spreads hate and violence in our society.”

Senate Resolution 794 passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

VILLA PARK- Illinois’ smallest heroes will soon be able to receive medical attention.

State Senator Tom Cullerton’s measure HB 2661 was signed into law today. House Bill 2661 allows for the transport of police dog injured in the line of duty to be transported to a veterinary clinic or similar facility by emergency professionals.

“Police dogs are often unsung heroes,” Cullerton said. “If there are not any people in line that need to receive medical attention, our state’s police K-9’s should be able to receive the necessary precautions to save their lives so they can return to keeping our streets and communities safe.”

House Bill 2661 puts stipulates in place that require persons to receive medical attention prior to a police dogs transport however, this will allow medical professionals to transport police dogs when necessary.

The average cost for the initial training for a police K-9 can cost a police authority $20,000 to $29,000. This does not account for maintenance training and general living expenses for the dog.

“K-9’s are a valuable tool but expense tool for police departments,” Cullerton said. “This is an investment in humanity and public safety that needs to be protected.”

House Bill 2661 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support and goes into effect on January 1, 2018.  

“We ran a tight ship for taxpayers when I was Villa Park Village President. I’m taking the lessons I learned to the state level. The goal here is to reduce property taxes, save vital taxpayer dollars and make sure government is working for the people. Senate Bill 3 does just that.” – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park)

OAK BROOK- Illinois will now have a useful tool to start consolidating 6,963 units of governments, thanks to Villa Park Democrat, Tom Cullerton.

Cullerton’s bipartisan government consolidation measure, Senate Bill 3 that will empower government entities throughout the state to consolidate units of local government, was signed into law today.

“We ran a tight ship for taxpayers when I was Villa Park Village President. I’m taking the lessons I learned to the state level,” Cullerton said.  “The goal here is to reduce property taxes, save vital taxpayer dollars and make sure government is working for the people. Senate Bill 3 does just that.”

Senate Bill 3 will go into effect January 1, 2018.

Cullerton passed Senate Bill 494 in 2013, which created the DuPage County government consolidation model used in Senate Bill 3. He was later able to expand this model to McHenry and Lake counties, and Senate Bill 3 will expand the same powers to counties throughout Illinois.

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Cullerton worked together to create an innovative bipartisan government consolidation model that can be easily adapted to work throughout the state. Counties and government entities based on their needs can consolidate redundant and obsolete forms of government.

“This legislation allows local communities and their elected officials to make decisions about the size, scope and cost of their own local government,” Cronin said.  “Most importantly, it will change the culture and foster innovation.”

DuPage County’s successful government consolidation model is expected to save taxpayers more than $100 million over the next 20 years.

“It’s our duty to work together to explore every way we can save taxpayer dollars,” Cullerton said. “I’m proud of the work Chairman Cronin and I did to expand DuPage County’s government consolidation model throughout the state.”

The savings allow for lower property tax rates and provide residents with necessary services

“Cutting bloated bureaucracy and redundant forms of government means lower property tax bills for Illinois residents,” Cullerton said. “This new law gives Illinois taxpayers a voice in eliminating redundant and ineffective units of government.”

Cullerton says the next step in consolidating government waste is to eliminate the office of the lieutenant governor. This move would save the state $1.6 million annually which Cullerton believes would help pay for social services such as the DuPage County Meals on Wheels program and other similar programs throughout the state.

Since Cullerton has been in office, he has supported eliminating the position under both a republican and democratic governor. He believes the money would be better spent and services can be better executed without duplicate forms of government.  

“We are in the middle of tough times,” Cullerton said. “It is hypocritical to continue to ask local governments to cut and eliminate units of government when the state government isn’t willing to do the same.”

Under the current administration, Illinois taxpayers are paying for two deputy governors and a lieutenant governor.

Despite the fact Cullerton’s plan, was endorsed by editorial boards throughout the state, he was unable to receive bipartisan support on his measure. Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 29 did not receive a single republican vote.

Cullerton is the Senate sponsor of HJRCA6 and plans to advance the legislation once Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) passes the measure in the House.  

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) voted to support DuPage County Schools today.

Cullerton voted to override the governor’s changes to Senate Bill 1, a school funding reform overhaul that is widely supported by school superintendents, educators, advocates and professional and community organizations statewide.

“Under this plan, our schools that are in desperate need for funding fairness receive assistance while allowing our top-notch schools to remain outstanding,” Cullerton said. “Illinois needs to move toward a school funding system that is fair and gives all children, regardless of their ZIP code, a chance to succeed. This historic reform achieves our goal.”  

These districts could soon see a significant increase of funding to level the playing field with neighboring school districts but not at the expense of other school districts. No school district in Illinois will lose funding under the new proposed formula.

Superintendent Anthony J. Palmisano, School District 45, DuPage County supports the override of Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto.

“As a school superintendent in the State of Illinois, I do support a school funding reform overhaul,” Palmisano said. “To that end, SB1 must pass in order for us to move forward and do what is in the best interests of our children. The bipartisan manner in which Senator Tom Cullerton has worked to find a solution for our state is greatly appreciated by the families not only in this community, but throughout the State of Illinois.”

Cullerton stood up against Governor Rauner’s attempts to squeeze in extreme reforms. He was outraged at Governor Rauner’s use of his veto powers to attack the use of local economic incentives. The veto would pit school districts against local businesses.  

The governor veto would also shift teacher pension obligations on to local school districts which will increase property taxes for DuPage County residents.

“Governor Rauner needs to stop using our children as bargaining chips to push his extreme agendas,” Cullerton said. “The people of DuPage County should not have to choose between prioritizing our children and growing our economy.”

Cullerton also, rejected Rauner’s proposal that punishes school districts by withdrawing a hold harmless provision for school districts after three years. The governor’s proposal could result in school districts such as Lake Park Community High School District 108 and Bloomingdale School District 113 losing money at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

“Elected officials should not be in the business of picking which students thrive, it’s our job to provide every child with the opportunity to be successful,” Cullerton said. “I refuse to support the governor’s plan to punish outstanding DuPage County schools for providing our students with their very best. It’s deplorable that any elected official would support Governor Rauner’s plan that would take funding from one school to serve another.”

Senate Bill 1 passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote and now moves to the House for consideration.