State Senator Michael Frerichs Week 16

The slow pace which characterized the office the past week appears as if it will continue this week. The Illinois State legislature is in the final scheduled week of session. However, the budget process may delay the adjournment date of the legislature. Or, perhaps the Illinois legislature will adjourn as scheduled and decide to call a special session in the near future to work out a feasible State budget.

However, as all of us are aware the wheels of government tend to turn at a slow pace. The office has a few constituent letters which address a variety of issues which still need to see substantial action before a proper response can be authored. Or perhaps these various pieces of legislation will ultimately be held in either the House or the Senate and die. The pace of which the legislation conducts business basically decides the pace of business in district offices etc. The emails in the inbox which continue to mount with respect to these issues too cannot be responded too.

A few email topics which we were waiting a proper response for could be cleared this week: Emergency Budget Act, Education Funding related issues (SB2494), and HB4673

Therefore, all the work that remains in the office currently is the Saw You in the News newspaper clippings. Each morning this week I first clipped all the photos which were related to constituents of the 52nd District and processed them (laminated, sought address, placed in envelope). However, mailing of these is too delayed as our office has now run out of 2 and 4 cent stamps. The weight of mail dictates cost of mailing and in this fiscal crisis it would certainly be reckless to place an additional full stamp on an envelope when only a small fraction of that cost is necessary; therefore these mailings will once again continue to stack up until these stamps arrive.

Other than that, I worked diligently on a few constituent issues throughout the week. Unfortunately for the sake of the constituents are office could be of little to no assistance. An individual called in about standing water at the edge of her property (husband has a disease due to standing water) The property is in fact state property; however, due to a clause it is the duty of the residential property owner to conduct the proper repairs as it allows access to the highway (DOT).

Too, I worked on a series of constituent requests which involve incarcerated individuals around the state. Unfortunately, many of these requests need to be redirected to their counselor.

The week ended early as I had to leave Thursday after work to attend the funeral of my fiance's grandfather who resided in Michigan.