Illinois House Declares “Heroin State of Emergency”

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie)

(Springfield, IL) – The Illinois House has voted unanimously, 108-0, to declare a “heroin state of emergency” in Illinois.

House lawmakers voted last week for House Resolution 883 not only to declare a “Heroin State of Emergency in Illinois” but also to call on the legislature to seek a comprehensive legislative “road map” to address the problem.

The resolution, which has 50 House sponsors, is the initial step by the new House Task Force on Heroin Crisis which is set to address Illinois’ growing heroin epidemic.

“Given that the heroin crisis plaguing Illinois – and particularly middle class families in Cook, in the Collar Counties, and Downstate – is continuing unabated, it is clear what we’re doing now is failing,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) the task force’s chairman.

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) appointed Lang several weeks ago to lead the bi-partisan panel that will hold public hearings in Chicago, the suburbs, and Downstate.

“As lawmakers, we are aware in our own districts that we have a problem and a growing epidemic,” said Lang. “House Resolution 883 officially recognizes the problem and the statewide reach of the crisis and our need to seek creative solutions to combat this plague.”

Lang said that his intention would be to hold multiple public hearings during the course of the spring legislative session and praised the bi-partisan nature of the task force, and the first hearing scheduled for Chicago at the Bilandic Building on Tuesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m.

“The panel aims to draft an actionable legislative agenda that demonstrates that both Democrats and Republicans are taking a leadership role in addressing an issue that worries families and law enforcement alike,” said Lang.

“Events are boosting the profile of both heroin in particular and addiction treatment policy in general – and it’s revealing that we’re losing this fight,” Lang said.

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Lang: Rauner Proposal to Slash Minimum Wage “Delusional”

(Skokie, IL) – House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skoke) today fired back at GOP gubernatorial Bruce Rauner’s proposal to cut the Illinois minimum wage, saying that the hyper-wealthy Rauner is “delusional.”

“In my 26 years in the legislature, I’ve seen many candidates roll out anti-poverty plans, but Bruce Rauner is the only candidate to roll-out a pro-poverty plan,” said Lang. “He’s delusional if he thinks that General Assembly would bow to his class warfare on low-income workers. He needs to have his delusion shaken up.”

Illinois radio WGBZ 1570 today reported Rauner’s plan to cut the Illinois minimum wage from $8.25 set 2010 to $7.25.

“I will advocate moving the Illinois minimum wage back to the national minimum wage. I think we’ve got to be competitive here in Illinois,” Rauner said.

Lang, who is also the Executive Vice Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, said the “era of robber barons is over”.

“Rauner is deeply out-of-touch with working people,” said Lang. “He needs to come to grips with the fact that the era of robber barons is over and impoverishing workers is no longer an economic growth strategy.”

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Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Endorses Rep. Lou Lang

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie)

(Skokie, IL) – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence political action committee in Illinois has endorsed State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) for reelection to the Illinois House.

The Brady PAC-IL, which supports candidates and elected officials who support an agenda of common sense and responsible gun ownership, issued the following statement:

“Representative Lou Lang is committed to commons sense gun violence prevention measures, such as fixing the background check system to keep prohibited purchasers from having access to firearms, and requiring gun owners to report when a weapon is lost or stolen. Representative Lang has earned the Brady PAC-IL 2012 endorsement in the 16^th State Representative District.”

Lang face GOP opponent and staunch conceal carry backer Vince Romano (R-Skokie) on November 6.

Citizen Action Illinois Backs Rep. Lou Lang for Reelection

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie)

(Chicago) – A top Illinois public interest advocacy group today endorsed Democratic State Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie in his bid reelection.

Lang earned a “Good” cumulative rating on ’ Legislative Scorecard for his overall record in the Illinois General Assembly and an endorsement from Illinois/Citizen Action’s State PAC, the Progressive Action Project.

The ratings are based on key votes for public interest issues in the General Assembly.

“Representative Lang has a proven record of voting for critical healthcare and consumer provisions as well as working diligently to protect the working families of Illinois,” said William McNary, co-director, Citizen Action/Illinois.

“Now more than ever we need fierce advocates like Representative Lang to fight for Illinoisans because working families, consumers, taxpayers and those who value justice and equality are under constant attack in statehouses around the nation.”

“I am honored by the endorsement from Citizen Action/Illinois,” said Lang.

Citizen Action/Illinois is a key player in the fight for social and economic justice at the state and national levels.

Lang faces GOP Vincent Romano challenger on November 6.

With Illinois Gaming Bill Veto, Rep. Lou Lang Questions Gov. Pat Quinn’s “Jobs Governor” Claim

(Chicago) — Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) criticizes Gov. Pat Quinn‘s veto of Illinois gaming expansion legislation, which Lang sponsored, saying the move threatens saving or creating 90,000 jobs.

Rep. Lou Lang Wins National Small Business Award

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago)

(Skokie) – A national economic development group recently honored State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) during a national conference in Chicago with a coveted small business award.

The National Coalition for Capital, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group for small business development, bestowed its “Champion of Small Business” award on Lang during the group’s annual award ceremony in Chicago on August 8^th.

“This award recognizes Representative Lang’s important work to preserve and create jobs through access to capital policy that helps Illinois small businesses grow and develop,” said Michael Votta, President of the National Coalition for Capital.

“Representative Lang has demonstrated he is a champion of small business, and his efforts will have an enduring positive impact on Illinois.”

Champions of Small Business Awards recognize individuals for demonstrating leadership in supporting policies and initiatives designed to promote access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those in economically distressed communities.

Lang, who was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1988, convened in January 2010 the House of Representatives Bipartisan Jobs Creation Task Force that generated a raft of legislation to bolster Illinois job creation.

The veteran lawmakers has also remained a resilient advocate of access to capital for small business growth and the New Market Tax Credit program.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that elected officials do their part to advance innovative access to capital policies that allow small businesses to grow and prosper,” said Lang. “I am pleased to be among those honored for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs as they strive to preserve and grow jobs in their communities.”

The National Coalition for Capital hosts an annual awards ceremony during the week of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit to recognize individuals for taking a leading role in fostering access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Rep. Lou Lang Offers Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Help at Mortgage Relief Workshop

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie)

(Skokie, IL) – June 19, 2012. Aiming to blunt local home foreclosures, State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) will be hosting a “mortgage relief workshop” for local homeowners on June 27.

In conjunction with staff from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the mortgage relief workshop will offer homeowners an opportunity to lower mortgage costs and to avoid foreclosure.

“The mortgage relief workshop is part of a broader state anti-foreclosure strategy by the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network to help people who are behind on their mortgages and who are at risk of foreclosure,” said Lang.

At the workshop, homeowners should bring basic financial information in order to assess their eligibility for mortgage reduction assistance, including: current mortgage statement, 2010 & 2011 W-2 tax returns and schedules, 2 months of recent paystubs, other income documentation, recent utility bill, profit/loss statement if self-employed (last 6 months), and budget of household expenses.

The June 27 workshop will be held at the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago, located at 2845 W. Devon. The workshop is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Citizen Action Illinois Rates Rep. Lou Lang “Excellent” on Illinois Legislative Score Card

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

(Chicago, IL) – A leading Illinois grass-roots public interest advocacy group today announced that State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) won an “Excellent” cumulative rating on the organization’s Illinois Legislative Scorecard.

Citizen Action Illinois awarded Lang the ranking for his overall record in the Illinois General Assembly.

“Representative Lang has a proven record of voting for needed consumer reforms and protecting the working families of Illinois.” said William McNary, co-director, Citizen Action Illinois.

“That is why we proudly endorse his candidacy for state representative.”

“An ‘Excellent’ rating by Citizen Action/Illinois is highly-prized among area lawmakers,” said Lang. “I’m proud to have it.”

Citizen Action/Illinois is the state’s largest public interest organization. Building on over two decades of experience, the groups is a key player in the fight for social and economic justice at the state and national level.

The group’s ratings are based on the key votes for public interest issues in the General Assembly.

Rep. Lou Lang Backs Quinn Choice of Bob Flider as Illinois Agriculture Director

(Skokie, IL) ­– Governor Pat Quinn today named former State Representative Bob Flider (D-Decatur) as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, drawing praise from a top Illinois House lawmaker.

“Throughout his career, Bob Flider was a tireless, effective leader for rural farming communities and global agri-business leaders,” said Quinn. “He served his district with distinction, and I am pleased he will continue to serve all the people of our state.”

From 2003 to 2011, Flider served in the Illinois House of Representatives, sitting on the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, the Energy & Environment Committee and the Ethanol Production Oversight Committee.

Quinn’s appointment of Flider won the backing of Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

“Bob is both a friend and a respected voice on Illinois agriculture issues,” said Lang. “Governor Quinn’s choice of Bob as Illinois Agriculture Director is an excellent decision.”

In addition to Lang, the head of the Illinois Farm Bureau also praised Flider as the next Illinois agriculture chief.

Lang Says Quinn Tax Proposals Need More Detail

House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Gov. Pat Quinn.

(Skokie, IL) – Gov. Pat Quinn advocated last week in his State of the State speech for both an end to the Illinois natural gas tax and the creation of a new tax credit for parents with children, drawing cautious support from Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

“We have to analyze each of the items the governor is talking about and determine how we will pay for the initiatives and what is the potential return on the state’s investment,” Lang said. “And where there is a net gain for the state treasury, we should do it.”

The Quinn administration said the initiatives would cost approximately $294 million. Ending the gas tax would cost the state treasury $164 million and creating the child tax credit would cost $130 million. Quinn also proposed a veteran employment tax credit that would cost $5 million to $10 million.

Quinn’s office said the child tax credit could save $100 a year for the average family of four.

The governor touched lightly on the state’s top financial challenges around growing pension and Medicaid costs, but outlined no policy prescriptions.

“In many ways, the speech was incomplete,” said Lang. “There were some critical budget issues on which he could have talked, but did not. He talked about Medicaid reform and pension reform, but posed no solutions.”

Lang hopes Quinn will provide detailed proposals during his budget address to the lawmakers on February 22.

“The legislature will need concrete, detailed and realistic budget proposals from the governor on February 22,” Lang added. “It will be a day of budget reckoning.”