SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“My constituents are on the front lines of the property tax crisis. I hear stories every day about outrageously high property taxes and how they bring fiscal upheaval to families. I will continue to fight for and pass legislation that consolidates and eliminates ineffective units of government to curb the flow of wasteful government spending, and am excited our governor shares those concerns. Further, we must end the practice of incentivizing local governments to max out their levies. It is an important step to empower both local governments and taxpayers to be more fiscally responsible and efficient. 

“I will work with the Pritzker administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight big utility companies from further profiting off families that are already being crushed by their high taxes. We need to finally develop a comprehensive plan to bring property tax relief to the people of Illinois and show them that we are on their side.

“I also fully support the governor’s efforts to end the days of corrupt self-serving politicians profiting off of their positions. Over the past several years I have made it a priority to hold elected officials in Illinois to the highest ethical standards, both via legislation and by calling out members of both parties for breaking their oath to Illinoisans. Our state’s history of corruption is a stain that will not easily be wiped away. Illinoisans deserve much better, and I will demand a more open and transparent state government and not stop until we have succeeded.”

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) congratulated the Commonwealth of Virginia for making history by becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

“This is a significant victory for advocates of women’s rights and their efforts to enshrine the equality of all women in the U.S. Constitution,” Bush said. “I congratulate the Commonwealth of Virginia for being yet another state to recognize the full, fundamental and equal rights of women under the law.”

The original ERA was introduced to Congress in 1972. To approve the amendment, a three-quarter majority, or 38 states, was needed for ratification. States were given until 1982, but only 35 had ratified it. That deadline has long since expired, making Virginia’s actions largely symbolic.

In 2017, Nevada became the 36th state to approve the E.R.A., and Illinois quickly became the 37th state a year later. Now, upon Virginia’s ratification, the U.S. has finally met the required three-quarter threshold and restarted the debate on an issue that had been largely forgotten since the 60s and 70s.

“The debate to amend the Constitution to include equal rights for women may have been tabled, but in light of the #MeToo movement and the recent hostility towards women’s rights, it is now more necessary than ever,” Bush said.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is urging anyone with information about the possible cover-up of a sexual assault to come forward.

“If anyone has information, they should absolutely report it to authorities immediately,” Bush said. “It’s appalling that someone would use their political position to cover up a rape or any other crime.”

Bush’s outrage comes in response to a WBEZ article alleging the participation of state officials in purposefully hiding information about a rape in an email exchange in 2012, during former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration. Senator Bush would like to provide a reminder that there is no longer a statute of limitations on criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault or aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Illinois. Therefore any new information will be helpful to authorities during the investigation.

“These actions are the kinds of abuses against women we’re fighting in Springfield, so it’s essential for the people responsible to be held accountable,” Bush said.

Anyone with information on the matter should contact:

• Champaign County State’s Attorney, 217-384-3733
• Illinois State Police, 217-786-7107
• Illinois Executive Inspector General, 217-558-5600 or 312-814-5600.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans with diabetes might soon expect relief from the skyrocketing cost of insulin, thanks to a new measure co-sponsored by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake).

“By capping the cost of insulin, we’re protecting diabetics and their families. People are being forced to skip meals and to default on their mortgages just to afford doses of a drug they need to live,” said Bush. “Prescription drug companies shouldn’t have that kind of power.”

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