Murphysboro… Relay For life in Murphysboro will begin the New Year with a kickoff celebration at the 17^th Street Warehouse, 214 N. 17^th St. in Murphysboro. The event is scheduled for Thursday, January 12.

Participants will be informed about Relay For Life, ways to create awareness and raise funds to support the American Cancer Society.

 The event will give participants the opportunity to win prizes with Team Captains registering before the program begins. The theme to this year’s kickoff celebration is “Telling the Relay Story.”

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the celebration kicking off at 6:00 p.m.. The 17^th Street Bar and Grill Catering will provide refreshments for all participants.

To learn more about Relay For Life Jackson County Murphysboro, call the American Cancer Society at (618) 998-9898

Springfield… Governor Pat Quinn on Monday signed into law a state budget reallocation bill. This action ensures state employees and residents of the Chester Mental Health Center and the Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro that the two facilities will remain open through Fiscal Year 2012.

“State employees, patients, and their families can breathe a sigh of relief that these facilities will remain open at least through the current fiscal year,” said Bost. “I am pleased Governor Quinn accepted our funding suggestions so that we could keep these facilities open.”

Earlier this year, Governor Quinn proposed closing the Chester Mental Health Center and the Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro along with five other state facilities. After months of public hearings and negotiations to keep the facilities open, Senate Bill 2412 passed both chambers and was sent to the Governor for his final approval which came today.”

“With double-digit unemployment in Illinois, I can think of no greater gift this holiday season for families affected by the possible facility closures,” said Bost. “While it is never too early to fight to protect this funding in future budgets, I hope everyone will rest a little easier this Christmas knowing that these facilities will remain open.”

Springfield, IL… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) along with members of the House Republican Caucus today offered a broad-based approach to keeping good employers and making Illinois more competitive for jobs through legislation to accelerate a roll-back of the temporary corporate income tax hike passed by Democrats in January.

“It has been nearly a year since the Democrats passed their tax increases, and it is no surprise how our business community has reacted.  Just Monday, we worked with the majority party to pass legislation to keep a few major employers here in Illinois, but it is only a matter of time before more companies come knocking at our door looking for relief .  The days of special tax deals need to end,” said Cross.  “A better solution is to speed up the expiration of the Democrats’ tax hike.”

“Moving Illinois to a sound financial footing means creating jobs, retaining Illinois employers and rolling back Democrat tax hikes,” Rep. Bost said.  “Today’s legislation sends a clear message to families and communities who rely on businesses for good-paying jobs and local revenue we, the House Republicans, are listening and fighting for them.”

Rep. Bost continued, “Illinois can be on the path to economic recovery by investing in a stable, reliable business climate where employers can grow and prosper.”

House Bill 3918 takes a two-pronged approach to reducing Illinois’ business taxes:

1. Accelerates the expiration of the temporary corporate income tax increase.  For income earned during calendar 2013 the rate declines from 7% to 6% and for income earned during calendar 2014 the rate would further decline to 4.8%.
2. Effective immediately the corporate income tax would be reduced by 0.25% anytime the Illinois unemployment rate increases by .3% in a four month span.  For example, if the unemployment rate in January was 10% and in April it was 10.3% than this provision would take effect.  At no point would the corporate income tax be less than 4.8% (the tax before Public Act 96-1496).

Without HB 3918, the Democrats’ temporary corporate income tax increase is set to expire January 1, 2025. 

Rep. Bost continued, “Jobs, jobs, jobs.  We need jobs.  With double digit unemployment throughout the state, families are suffering.  We need to make Illinois a place where business is encouraged to grow and succeed.”

House Republicans believe HB 3918 is needed to produce a better business climate in Illinois and what is lost in tax receipts to the state will be replaced with a gain in new employment and a broader tax base.  

House Bill 3918 is supported by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Illinois Retail Merchant Association, the State Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Illinois Policy Institute.

“Illinois currently has one of the highest income tax rates in the United States. Lowering the state’s income tax rate sends a positive message to job creators and will help entice companies to locate and expand in Illinois,” said Mark Denzler, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

Denzler continued, “We applaud Rep. Bost for fighting to reduce the tax rate and help create predictability and stability for employers.” 

Rep. Bost stated he is a co-sponsor of legislation to bring immediate tax relief to families by rolling back the personal income tax increase.  House Bill 175 also repeals the corporate income tax hike. 

Springfield… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) was re-appointed to the Southern Illinois Clean Coal Review Board by House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego). The Clean Coal Review Board was created to make recommendations to help advance the Illinois coal industry.

“I am honored by Leader Cross’ decision to re-appointment me to the Clean Coal Review Board,” Bost said. “Illinois coal is important to southern Illinois and our local economy. I will continue to work to develop projects that enhance the future of clean coal in Illinois.”

Southern Illinois University has established a Clean Coal Review Board to manage the development and operation of projects funded from the grant.

The Board has established the following mission and objectives:

• Identify the best cutting edge coal utilization technologies and encourage the exploration of their applications in Illinois.
• Secure the commitment of private, government, and institutional funds (including the Illinois Clean Energy Trust) to Illinois clean coal projects.
• Enhance but not duplicate the effectiveness of other Illinois coal funding initiatives.
• Maximize the contribution of, and the benefits to, ultimate commercial users.
• Engage regulatory agencies in the project development process

Murphysboro… State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement in response to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s sentencing of 14 years in a federal prison.

“Today concludes a long sad chapter in our state’s history. After 3 year long process involving impeachment proceedings and two trials, we can finally put this burden on Illinois behind us.

“Illinois has had back-to-back governors convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to prison. I believe that the 14 year sentence given to Blagojevich should discourage future and current office holders from defrauding the people of Illinois.”

Rep. Bost was the first to call for former Governor Blagojevich’s impeachment and helped serve on the committee during the impeachment process.

The efforts from supporters to keep Chester and Murphysboro facilities open were answered Tuesday night as the Illinois House passed a measure to fund seven state facilities Governor Quinn threatened to close earlier this summer. State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) helped lead the charge, ensuring Chester and Murphysboro at least one more year of operation.

“First off, I am happy to hear that we can count on not having any closures through the fiscal year,” Bost said. “I have to thank Leader Cross for all his efforts to bring the leaders together finding a way to make this happen.”

The Chester Mental Health Center and Illinois Youth Center in Murphysboro along with five other state facilities were proposed to close due to lack of funds in the FY12 budget. After months of COGFA hearings and proposals to keep the facilities open, Senate Bill 2412 passed both chambers with sure confidence Governor Quinn would sign the bill.

“What we want to do now is get busy as soon as possible on next year’s budget,” Bost said. “We need to make sure we move forward with a budget that will ensure these facilities remain open for years to come.”

Senate Bill 2412 passed the House by a vote of 92-20-0. It will be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Springfield, IL… State Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro)

“I am pleased that the Governor has agreed to a budget reallocation plan that will keep both the Murphysboro Juvenile Detention Center and Chester Mental Health Facility open and I am optimistic a vote will be taken tomorrow.  Republican Leader Tom Cross and the Republican caucus led the charge to keep these facilities open.  Tonight’s announcement is a big win for southern Illinois and I hope that it will offer some peace-of-mind to state employees worried about losing their jobs.”

Democrats in the House Human Services Committee last week voted down House Republicans’  House Resolution 593 asking the federal government to give Illinois the flexibility it needs to implement cost-saving Medicaid reforms…

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Springfield… As the first week of veto session came to an end, State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) was appointed Republican Caucus Chairman by House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego).

“I am pleased Leader Cross chose me for the position,” Bost said. “Leadership plays an important role in the House Republican Caucus.  Having a seat at the table gives me a stronger voice in developing our agenda and in representing southern Illinois.”

Rep. Bost has served 16 years in Illinois House.  In addition to his new position on the House Republican Leadership team, Bost will maintain his role as Republican spokesperson on the House Public Utilities Committee and will continue to serve on the Higher Education –Appropriations Committee: Executive; Higher Education; Health and Healthcare Disparities; and the Veterans’ Affairs Committees.    

“Illinois continues to face significant financial challenges, and it is going to take strong leadership to turn our state around. I am going to use my position to continue fighting for policies that will not only attract good jobs to the region, but to protect existing jobs as well,” said Bost. 

Rep. Bost may be contacted at his district office located at 300 East Main Street, Carbondale or by calling (618) 457-5787.

Springfield… The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) gathered in the states capitol today to take a vote on four possible facility closures around Illinois. State Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) represents constituents affected by two of the four facilities proposed for closure.

 “Closing these facilities will cause tremendous hardships on local families and our economy,” Bost said.  “The vote taken today by COGFA sends a strong message to the Governor that closing Murphysboro and Chester is not in the best interest of the people of Illinois and these facilities should remain open.”

 IYC-Murphysboro, a minimum-security boys’ facility with a population of approximately 60 youths and Chester, a mental health center for the criminally insane, were proposed targets under Governor Quinn’s plan to shut down seven state facilities. 

 “There is nowhere to move these individuals,” Bost said. “These facilities are designed to handle the individuals who reside there and the staff is well-trained.  Closing the facilities would cause more harm than good – and COGFA agrees.  Unfortunately, our work is not done and we must continue to put pressure on Governor Quinn and his administration to keep these facilities open.”

 COGFA voted 11-0-0 to keep the facility in Chester open and 7-4-0 in favor of Murphysboro. The Jack Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon and Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford were also voted to keep open.  

 Rep. Bost Rep. may be contacted at his district office located at 300 East Main Street, Carbondale or by calling (618) 457-5787 

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