Dear Editor,

I commend the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board for shedding some light on the state and congressional redistricting map process in a recent editorial “Legislature’s Challenge: Fix Bizarre Redistricting.”

As the Sun-Times pointed out, the redistricting process, which occurs every 10 years, is completely partisan, depending on which party wins the flip of a coin. The districts are carefully drawn based on how an area historically votes, therefore favoring one party over another.

For the last six years my Republican colleagues and I have sponsored 12 resolutions that would reform the redistricting process. Continue reading »

A new website has been created to allow state government to share information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or what is more commonly referred to as the federal stimulus package.

The Illinois website, www.recovery.illinois.gov, is designed to be more specific to Illinois compared with the federal website www.recovery.com that was set up by the federal administration. Continue reading »

I was very interested in the Chicago Tribune editorial “Cut the Free Rides” since I recently filed House Bill 2657 that would eliminate the Senior Transit Ride Giveaway; while preserving free rides for senior citizens on Circuit Breaker and the disabled.

Nearly 400,000 seniors have been issued cards that qualify them for free rides, regardless of income. My legislation would also reinstate the half-off senior discount for all seniors.  Continue reading »

Palatine, IL … State Rep. Suzanne “Suzie” Bassi (R-Palatine) announced today that application forms for General Assembly Scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year are now available through her district office to residents of the 54th District. These one-year scholarships cover tuition costs at the undergraduate, graduate or professional level at any Illinois state school.

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While I look forward to a new era in Illinois state government with a new governor and two new leaders in the General Assembly, it is no secret that our state is facing serious difficulties. Everyday we are inundated with the news of more employee layoffs, a flailing stock market and potholes large enough to swallow cars.

Former Governor Blagojevich, who abused his power for political and financial gain, left the State of Illinois in shambles. Although I was aware of the harm that Blagojevich had been doing to the State of Illinois beforehand, it wasn’t until I served on the House Impeachment Committee that I became painfully aware of the extent of the damage that he had inflicted. In addition to blocking important legislation passed by the Legislature, he continued to spend money that we didn’t have and start programs without the funds to pay for them, digging an even deeper financial hole. Continue reading »

Springfield, IL … Renewing her commitment to providing solutions to the most pressing issues facing local families, State Representative Suzie Bassi (R-Palatine) took the oath of office for her sixth term in the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday in a ceremony at the University of Illinois at Springfield. All members of the incoming 96^th General Assembly were sworn in during the ceremony to begin the new legislative session.

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