STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Dan Beiser2015 COMMUNI T Y UP DAT E

Dear Neighbor:Illinois is facing serious challenges that will impact our middle-class families. It will take cooperation and bipartisan solutions to address these challenges, and the wrong approach will hurt our families for years to come.

That is why I support a balanced approach to addressing the state’s fiscal challenges. I oppose extreme proposals that would severely cut nursing home care for frail, elderly residents, inflict damaging cuts to services for victims of child abuse and significantly cut medical care services for the elderly, disabled and struggling families. Such drastic measures won’t turn Illinois around, they’ll only hurt middle-class families and those most in need of vital care.

Please take a few moments to review this newsletter and read about some of the work we have done this year to strengthen our region and bring positive change to Illinois.

It is an honor to serve you in our State Capitol. I will continue working hard to ensure that your voice is heard. I encourage you to call me at 618-465-5900 or email me at dvbeiser@sbcglobal.net with any issues that may be of concern to you or your family.

Sincerely,

Dan BeiserState Representative111th District • Stopping Government Expansion

• Empowering Older Adults

• Helping Unemployed Veterans Find Work

• Encouraging Job Creation and Growth

• Fighting Soaring Property Taxes

• Fighting the Dangers of Heroin

• Strengthening Sexual Assault Policies at Universities

IN THIS ISSUE:

Constituent Service Office:528 Henry St.

Alton, IL 62002618-465-5900

618-465-5150 FAX

Springfield Office:269-S Stratton Office Building

Springfield, IL 62706217-782-5996

217-558-0493 FAX

dvbeiser@sbcglobal.netfacebook.com/staterepdanbeiser

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Strengthening Sexual Assault Policies at UniversitiesStudies show that one in five undergraduate women will become a victim of rape or attempted rape. Alarmingly, a U.S. Senate report found that too many colleges and universities have not conducted a single investigation into allegations of sexual violence.

Beiser supported legislation requiring Illinois colleges and universities to implement clear, comprehensive campus sexual violence policies, including detailed incident reporting, university response guidelines and better informing student survivors about their rights, including their right to confidentiality. House Bill 821 is now law.

Fighting the Dangers of HeroinAccording to recent reports, heroin overdoses in our region have increased by more than 200 percent since 2009.

Heroin is one of the most deadly and addictive drugs, and the alarming increase in heroin abuse in many communities, particularly

among young people, demands action. Beiser helped to pass comprehensive legislation aimed at decreasing heroin

use and preventing overdoses by better tracking the prescriptions of narcotic medications, educating

students about the dangers of drug abuse and expanding access to life-saving treatment.

House Bill 1 is now law.

Stopping Government ExpansionIllinois has more than 7,000 units of local government with the ability to tax homeowners, even though some of these governments provide the same services as our cities or counties. To halt the growth of government and manage taxpayer dollars more efficiently, Beiser voted to pass a measure prohibiting the creation of any new taxing bodies for four years. House Bill 228 is now law.

Helping Unemployed Veterans Find WorkAccording to a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Illinois has the eighth highest unemployment rate among veterans in the nation and is home to about 24,000 unemployed veterans. To help unemployed veterans, Beiser supports House Resolution 521, a measure to encourage the hiring of veterans by connecting them to potential employers.

Encouraging Job Creation and GrowthBeiser knows Illinois needs to do more to attract and retain good jobs in our region. This spring, he passed legislation streamlining the process of starting a new business in Illinois. Supported by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau, this proposal will allow Illinois to better compete with other states for jobs by reducing the barriers that new businesses face. Senate Bill 1672 is now law.

“I don’t know of any bill that actually passed that’s more important to the business community.” – Illinois Chamber of

Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch, on Senate Bill 1672

Empowering Older Adults

Elderly residents are often targets of con artists and scams.

To help protect the elderly from being swindled and intimidated, Beiser

supported legislation allowing seniors who are victims of financial exploitation to

seek damages in court from their attackers. He also supported a measure making it a crime

if someone with financial responsibility for a nursing home resident fails to pay for the care received at the

home. House Bill 1588 is now law; House Bill 3529 awaits further action in the Senate.

Fighting Soaring Property TaxesWith the second-highest property taxes in the country, even as home values decline, Illinois’ taxpayers and middle-class families need relief. To help overburdened residents, Beiser voted multiple times to freeze property taxes. While many legislators refused to take a stand and side with taxpayers, Rep. Beiser listened to calls from overtaxed constituents and employers asking for relief.