SPRINGFIELD – A union-backed proposal to curb the state’s rising pension costs passed out of the Illinois Senate earlier today with bipartisan support. The measure, Senate Bill 2404, saves the state up to $46 billion over the next 30 years and guarantees 90% funding of the pension systems by 2045.

State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) was one 40 senators who supported the measure.

“I made a promise to the thousands of union members in my district that I would not support a pension bill that did not involve negotiations with the unions,” Forby said. “Having union leaders at the table was key in passing this bill.”

The proposal offers employees and retirees choices, such as keeping the current annual 3 percent compounded cost-of-living increase on their pension benefits in exchange for giving up access to retiree health insurance.

The union-backed measure in the Senate rivals a proposal passed last week in the House. Questions have been raised about the constitutionality of the House proposal as the state’s labor unions have vowed to challenge the measure in court if the bill becomes law.

“The unions are obviously upset at the House’s proposal,” Forby said. “You can’t exclude them from the conversation and then shove changes down their throats.”

Senate Bill 2404 now moves to the House for consideration.

It’s not often that you find an 18-year-old still living at home, asking permission to take a date to the movies. That’s because we have designated 18 as the age that you officially become an adult. You are officially responsible for your own actions.

So why does it make sense to require an 18-year-old to get consent from a parent or legal guardian in order to obtain a FOID card? We don’t require an 18-year-old to get consent from a parent or legal guardian to purchase a car, a house or join the military. That is why I re-introduced legislation that would allow a citizen who is 18 years or older to apply for and obtain a Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card without the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

I first introduced this measure back in 2005 during the 95th General Assembly and have re- introduced it every legislative session since. Every time I introduce the proposal, I think to myself, ‘this might be the year I finally get this sensible bill passed’. But, I’m always disappointed when the measure gets pushed into a committee, never to see the light of day – usually done by a Chicago politician who scoffs at the idea of allowing an 18-year-old to have a FOID card.

I haven’t introduced this bill every year to make a point to Chicago lawmakers. I haven’t introduced the bill to please gun enthusiasts or because I was asked by gun rights organizations. I introduced the measure because it’s ridiculous to think that at 18 years old, our country allows you to enlist in the army and hands you a firearm to defend yourself and your country. But heaven forbid we allow these brave men and women to obtain a FOID card in Illinois.

This is a common sense proposal.

Gaining knowledge and first-hand experience about how to properly handle a gun at a young age is vital to preventing accidents. Going to a shooting range and learning how to operate a firearm is a part of our upbringing here in Southern Illinois. I will continue to work to protect that right for our future generations. After a number of attempts to pass this proposal, I was able to advance it through the Senate in 2010. This success would not have been possible without the help of the many supporters who came to the Capitol to fight for the bill’s passage. Unfortunately, it did not get called for a vote in the House, but I will continue to push for this measure until it passes both houses is sent to the governor to become law. 

When I saw the latest jobless numbers from January, I was disappointed that Southern Illinois counties continue to have higher unemployment than the state and national averages. Families are struggling as jobs are becoming harder and harder to find. This cannot continue. We need a new industry to really kick-start our economic engine. So when I first read the job projections that came out of a study conducted by Dr. David Loomis – a professor of economics at Illinois State University – on the economic impact of hydraulic fracturing, I was excited about the possible economic impact this industry could have on Southern Illinois.

According to Loomis, a minimum of approximately 1,000 jobs would be created or supported by the exploration of the New Albany Shale that sits below Southern Illinois. However, more than 47,000 jobs per year, or more than $9.5 billion of economic impact, could be created or supported if the study's highest scenario is realized. According to Loomis, it all depends on the natural gas reserve. 

Hydraulic fracturing, better known as “fracking”, has been the subject of serious negotiations between lawmakers, oil and gas industry representatives and their allies, and environmental groups over the past several weeks. Discussions have centered around a bill proposed by State Representative John Bradley, House Bill 2615, which would regulate hydraulic fracturing in the state.

For those unfamiliar, hydraulic fracturing uses a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals to crack and hold open thick rock formations, releasing trapped oil and gas. Combined with horizontal drilling, it allows access to formerly out-of-reach deposits.

One of the major concerns surrounding hydraulic fracturing is the potential effects it could have on the environment. Southern Illinois is blessed to have a geographical landscape that sets it apart from other areas of Illinois. We have state and national parks, lakes and natural scenery that attract thousands to Southern Illinois every year. Protecting our tourism industry and our region’s natural beauty is a major priority of mine.

The bill currently being discussed in the House has been called the strongest measure nationwide for regulating hydraulic fracturing. There are many strong protections and regulations that are included in House Bill 2615. One of the most important measures in the bill requires baseline water testing before fracking starts and continual tests throughout. Monitoring is extremely important to ensure that we are not harming our water systems. Another important regulation in the bill requires companies to disclose to state officials the concentrations and names of chemicals they will use. By disclosing this information, officials can make sure the chemicals are considered safe for the environment and for workers handling them.

As it stands, I believe House Bill 2615 contains the necessary environmental regulations and protections to ensure we are not harming one of most precious resources. The hydraulic fracturing industry could add thousands of jobs and provide a needed boost to our economy here in Southern Illinois.  Along with the expanding coal industry, Southern Illinois has the potential to once again be among the energy production leaders in the Midwest. For that reason, I plan to support House Bill 2615. 

SPRINGFIELD – A measure passed in the Senate by State Senator Gary Forby (D–Benton) would re-establish the Combined Veterans Association of Illinois as the organization charged with running the annual beer tent at the Du Quoin State Fair. Senate Bill 1561 exempts state fair contracts between non-profit service organizations and the Illinois Department of Agriculture from a state law that requires at least three quotes for state issued contracts.

“As soon as the veterans found out they lost their beer tent contract, they reached out for help,” Forby said. “The local veterans do so much good for Southern Illinois; I knew I needed to find a way to get them their contract back.”

For nearly three decades, the Combined Veterans Association of Illinois has operated the annual beer tent at the Du Quoin State Fair. Their contract was up for renewal last year, and because of a recent change to a state law that requires three quotes for state contracts, the veterans lost the contract to a private vendor that submitted a higher quote. 

The beer concessions were the CVA’s biggest fundraiser, and the lack of funds hurt several veterans organizations in Southern Illinois. The concessions from the beer tent sales were used to help run its organizations and make contributions to charitable causes such as college scholarships for children of armed service members, The Women’s Center in Carbondale and the Anna Veterans Home.

“There are times when providing a valuable, charitable service to our communities trumps the need to make a profit,” Forby said. “I believe this is one of the situations. We need to ensure that the CVA and its associated organizations have the necessary funds to continue their great charitable work in Southern Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1561 now moves to the House for consideration.

Photo: Senator Forby presenting Senate Bill 1561 to Executive Committee with Ray Watson from Department of Agriculture