News

Details: Category: News; Wednesday, May 07, 2014 03:42 PM

Update: This legislation (SB 2674) passed the Senate 43-13-1. It now goes to the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) unveiled a compromise plan to provide funding for the endangered Illinois Poison Center that also addresses some of the concerns of local 9-1-1 systems in the Senate State Government Committee today.

Earlier this year, Harmon introduced the “2 Cent Solution” – a plan to reallocate 2 cents from existing cell phone fees to the cash-strapped center that answers questions about potential poisoning from the general public and medical professionals. This money comes from an underused fund intended to help cell phone providers improve 9-1-1 service. However, some 9-1-1 systems objected and Harmon has been negotiating ever since.

“The Illinois Poison Center is vitally important,” Harmon said. “A call to the poison center can provide panicking parents with piece of mind and prevent costly, unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Even other medical experts call the Poison Center for advice. We can’t let the Poison Center close.”

Details: Category: News; Tuesday, April 29, 2014 06:30 PM

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement on the Fair Tax amendment:

“The Fair Tax has gained significant momentum in the last year, and I’m committed to continuing to work to get this passed in the fall veto session later this year.

“Our caucus remains committed to this issue as we believe that the Fair Tax is the best way to provide tax relief to the middle class while protecting our priorities.

“This is something I’m committed to, something that we knew would be hard this year. We have exceeded expectations and will continue to work on this issue until the Fair Tax is passed.”

Details: Category: News; Tuesday, April 29, 2014 08:22 AM

Details: Category: E-Newsletters; Thursday, April 17, 2014 11:46 AM

Senator Harmon

April 17, 2014

Dear Friends,

This spring’s session of the General Assembly is in full swing, and I thought I should update you on some of the important work that is going on at the State Capitol.

Fair Tax
As many of you may know, I am sponsoring a Fair Tax plan to cut taxes for 94 percent of Illinois families while still providing critical services such as education, health care and services for seniors and people with disabilities. This plan faces a steep climb, but I’m still confident that it’s the right thing to do. Read more here.

Illinois Poison Center
Though still subject to important negotiations, my plan to rescue the Illinois Poison Center from a dangerous funding shortfall has passed committee. I believe it’s important to keep this life-saving resource open for parents, families and medical facilities throughout the state. Read more here.

Constitutional amendments to protect citizens’ rights
So far this year, the General Assembly has proposed two constitutional amendments to help protect citizens’ rights. The first gives the victims of crime legally enforceable rights that will help protect them from the continuing trauma created by trials and the potential release of their attackers. The second provides a constitutional protection for the right to vote, guaranteeing that everyone will always be able to take advantage of this important freedom, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, language, income, sex or sexual orientation. I supported both measures, and both passed the General Assembly by wide margins. However, because they are constitutional amendments, you, the voters, will have the final say in November.

Park improvements coming soon
I also want to take this opportunity to announce that funding has been approved for four local park projects. Our parks provide wonderful gathering places for outdoor recreation to improve public health and welfare, and enhance the well-being of the entire community. It is a pleasure to support these improvements.

- Read about projects in Melrose Park, River Grove and Addison here.
- Read about a project in Oak Park here.

Sincerely,

Senator Don Harmon
39th District – Illinois

District Office

6933 W. North Avenue • Oak Park, Illinois 60304

708-848-2002 (Phone) • 708-848-2022 (Fax)

Springfield Office

329 Capitol Building • Springfield, IL 62706

217-782-8176 (Phone) • 217-558-5013 (Fax)

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www.DonHarmon.org

Details: Category: News; Friday, April 11, 2014 10:33 AM

OAK PARK – State Senators Kimberly A. Lightford and Don Harmon are pleased to announce $400,000 in state funding for the Park District of Oak Park’s continued renovation of Maple Park.

“Parks are an invaluable community resource,” Lightford said. “They encourage our children to play outside and lead active lives, and they give adults the opportunity to get healthy exercise.”

“Our parks provide wonderful gathering places for outdoor recreation to improve public health and welfare and enhance the well-being of the entire community,” Harmon said. “It is a pleasure to support these projects.”