Springfield … State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) today questioned Governor Quinn’s budget proposal which included borrowing an additional $4 billion and pushing off the state’s unpaid bills to a new fiscal year.

“This state is billions in the red and the last thing we need to do is to continue to take out the credit card and charge our bills,” said Rep. Coladipietro.

Some of the proposals outlined in the Governor’s budget address include $1.3 billion in cuts to education, $240 million cuts in healthcare, $4 billion in new borrowing and pushing off nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills into FY12. Continue reading »

Bloomingdale, 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 Joyce at (630) 582-0045.

Springfield … “Common sense is one step to restoring fiscal discipline in this state,” said State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) after expressing his frustration that “pay-as-you-go” legislation was blocked by House Democrats for a vote.

House Bill 3189, otherwise known as “pay-as-you-go” legislation, would require that any new spending or new program be offset with either budget cuts or a tax increase to offset the new spending. Continue reading »

Springfield… Today, State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) rejects a campaign finance bill which does little to limit the influence of political parties and power brokers.

Despite Rep. Coladipietro and his House Republican colleagues’ efforts to require meaningful campaign contribution caps, House Democrats push through a watered-down campaign finance bill that is short on reforms.

Senate Bill 1466, sponsored by Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan, includes campaign contribution caps for individuals, corporations, unions and political action committees. However, the bill does not limit contributions from a political party or caucus PAC to a candidate. So parties and legislative leaders will remain free to give unlimited campaign cash to their preferred candidates.

“Eighty percent of this legislation is spot-on and does offer the beginning of campaign finance reform. However, this legislation does not go far enough and actually causes some unintentional consequences, including concentrating and giving the legislative leaders more power,” said Rep. Coladipietro. “This state is ripe for campaign finance reform and it would be an utter failure on our part if we didn’t get this legislation correct.” Continue reading »

Bloomingdale … State Representative Franco Coladipietro today announced the opening of his new district office and welcomes residents to stop on by to visit. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Rep. Coladpietro added that Joyce Hundhausen is his legislative aide and is responsible for directly assisting residents with any concerns or questions they have with state government.

“Whether a constituent has a concern with their state license or need help navigating state bureaucracy, Joyce is there to help get an answer to your problem,” said Rep. Coladipietro.

Rep. Coladipietro’s new district office information is as follows:

123 N. Rosedale Road
Suite 100
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
630.582.0045 (telephone)

Bloomingdale – Residents of the 45th House District have an opportunity to attend an informative, interactive senior health and lifestyle fair Tuesday, August 25. Admission to the fair is FREE and is being sponsored by State Senator Carole Pankau (R-Itasca) and State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale).

This educational event will be held at the St. Isidore’s Catholic School, 427 W. Army Trail Rd. Bloomingdale, Illinois from 9 a.m. to noon. Fair attendees can take advantage of free refreshments as they obtain information about prevalent senior topics such as photo ID cards, passports, nutrition, veteran’s affairs and retirement planning. A “rules of the road” course will be available to refresh attendees on crucial driving safety at 10 a.m.  Continue reading »

Springfield … Today, State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison) and State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) expressed their outrage with Governor Quinn’s political games to halt the resurfacing of Route 53 from Army Trail Road to Lake Street.

“The number one public safety issue for families in both of our districts is Route 53 and the deplorable condition it’s in. The street is literally falling apart with a multitude of pot holes that dominate this road. What’s it going to take for Governor Quinn to stop playing political games with people’s lives and allow for this project to be completed?” asked Rep. Coladipietro. Continue reading »

Looking for a summer activity to motivate your child to read, if yes, then join your local library’s Summer Reading Program.

Bloomingdale – State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) along with local library directors are today encouraging parents with school aged children to join their library’s summer reading program. Free and open to residents residing in that library district, individuals have access to unlimited books and exciting programs which help to stimulate the mind, increase reading comprehension and ultimately help their academic success.

“The Bloomingdale Public Library like all libraries in the area looks forward to our Summer Reading Program. We all get a big kick out of working with the hundreds of kids, teens and adults who participate in our reading program and the fun activities we plan around it,” said Tim Jarzemsky, Director – Bloomingdale Public Library. Continue reading »

Democrats Propose Higher Income Taxes and Fund Sweeps for Temporary Budget

Springfield … Following the impeachment of Governor Blagojevich, legislators came into this year’s Session with a renewed spirit of optimism and hope. However, Session culminated in a significantly disappointing finish on Sunday evening. After five months of silence and a whirlwind week of tax and fee proposals, State Representative Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale) voted against a 50% income tax increase and expressed his disappointment with the “band-aid” budget which passed the House.

“Today, the Democrat leadership in this state showed us they are out of touch with the residents of this state. Residents want reform, job creation and a government that doesn’t always shift its financial burden to them,” said Rep. Coladipietro. “This state desperately needs change but the budget I saw tonight was nothing more than the status quo. This needs to stop.”  Continue reading »

Bloomingdale…State Rep. Franco Coladipietro (R-Bloomingdale), State Rep. Randy Ramey (R-West Chicago), State Sen. Carole Pankau (R-Itasca) and State Sen. John Millner (R-Bloomingdale) will be hosting a live televised Town Hall Meeting from Springfield.

Residents will be able to either view or listen to the town hall meeting from the comfort of their own homes by linking to the General Assembly web page at http://www.ilga.gov/house/audvid.asp and clicking on Watch Live Committee Room 114 Video.

In addition, residents who do not have access to the internet or would like to ask a question of the legislators can meet with other residents at the Bloomingdale Golf Club. The meeting will be projected on a large screen and free refreshments will be provided.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 26th, at the Bloomingdale Golf Club, 181 Glen Ellyn Rd, Bloomingdale, IL. Continue reading »