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SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says Democrat leaders are wasting hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars by continuing to delay action on meaningful pension reform. Members of the House and Senate voted Wednesday during a special session to send two competing pension reform proposals to a conference committee made up of five senators and five representatives. Syverson says Democrat

SPRINGFIELD– Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) praised Senate passage of legislation Friday making Illinois the final state in the nation recognizing the rights of law abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon. House Bill 183 passed the Senate 45-12 Friday afternoon with just hours remaining in the spring legislative session. The bill would allow well-trained, responsible residents to obtain a permit to carry

SPRINGFIELD–State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) blasted Democrat leaders in Springfield Friday after a bi-partisan, comprehensive pension reform proposal which passed the House was killed by Democrats in the Senate. It leaves the legislature deeply divided on pension reform with less than 24 hours remaining in the spring legislative session. Senate Bill 1, which was supported by Speaker Madigan, failed in

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) criticized an education budget passed by the Senate Wednesday which does nothing to correct what he calls a “gross inequity” in funding between Chicago Public Schools and downstate schools. Senate Bill 2555 passed the Senate 40-19. It is the first in a line of budget bills to be voted on in the Senate this

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says all downstate legislators, regardless of party affiliation, should reject a budget crafted by House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton until the states school funding formulas provide proportionate funding for students across the state. Democrat leaders unveiled a new state budget in the House Tuesday. Syverson says the proposed budget has

SPRINGFIELD– With just five legislative days left before the scheduled adjournment date, Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) blasted Senate leadership Friday for its unwillingness for yet another year to tackle major issues facing the state. “When we took the oath of office in January, we knew there were major issues including pensions, gaming, the right to carry, record unpaid bills, and the

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says a bill passed by the Senate Thursday to ban use of cell phones while driving is full of loopholes and will be difficult for law enforcement to put into effect.   House Bill 1247 bans the use of cell phones while driving, unless being used with a hands free device.  It passed the

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says a proposed ban on so-called “high capacity” magazines on firearms is a toothless piece of legislation that won’t cut down on gun crimes just further prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves.   Senate Bill 1002 passed the Senate Executive Committee Monday. It would ban in-state purchases guns that have magazines which hold

SPRINGFIELD– Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) that will make significant investments in Rockford’s athletic facilities through the so-called “Reclaiming First” program is headed to the Governor for his signature. Senate Bill 1859 will keep the region a destination for thousands who travel to the community to participate in competitive tournaments and leagues. Senator Syverson is co-sponsoring the legislation

Senator says bill advanced by Senate Thursday is short of the mark in addressing long term problems SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) says a pension reform bill passed by the Senate Thursday afternoon does not adequately address the state’s crushing pension debt. Senate Bill 2404, passed by a 40-16 vote, would reform the state’s retirement systems by giving employees