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Nathan Reitz sworn in to replace former Rep. Jerry Costello

Thursday, May 9, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Reitz is the son of former Rep. Dan Reitz…

Following his swearing in to the Illinois House of Representative, new state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steelville, released the following statement:

“As a lifelong Southern Illinoisan, I know that our community deserves a representative who will continue fighting every day for Southern Illinois and our values. Having spent my career in the energy industry, I am determined to help grow our local economy and making the decisions that help create new jobs. As state representative, I will fight every day to protect our Second Amendment rights, provide tax relief and responsible budget making, and make sure that Southern Illinois always has a strong voice in Springfield. There is a lot to accomplish, and I look forward to working together with my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to make Southern Illinois and our state a better place to live and work in.”

I’m told he’ll be running in next year’s election. No word yet where he is on a graduated income tax (Costello was opposed), cannabis legalization or the other major issues the governor is pushing right now.

…Adding… Press release…

Statement from Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise on appointment of Nathan Reitz as state representative:

“Nathan Reitz’s first big decision as a new representative will be to decide whether he stands with middle class families in his district by opposing the unfair Jobs Tax or be just another Springfield politician bought and paid for by JB Pritzker and Speaker Madigan.”

Background:

Former State Representative Jerry Costello was on record opposing the unfair Jobs Tax.

President Trump carried the 116th District with 66% of the vote in 2016.

…Adding… ILGOP…

“The fix is in. One of the last votes Nathan Reitz’s father, former State Rep. Dan Reitz, took was Mike Madigan’s 2011 tax hike. Now, Pritzker and Madigan want one of the first votes of Nathan Reitz to be yet another tax hike on Illinois families and small businesses. Tax-hiking is the Reitz family business. Reitz must follow Jerry Costello’s lead and oppose the Pritzker-Madigan-backed graduated income tax. If Reitz supports the tax hike, voters and taxpayers will make Reitz’s tenure in the General Assembly a short one.” - Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider

17 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 *** Question of the day

Thursday, May 9, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE *** For the second time this week I’ve had to walk back a post because of significant problems with the underlying Capitol News Illinois story. From DCFS’ Director of Communications Jassen Strokosch…

Rich, I realize you are quoting this from a story, but this is inaccurate information. Representative Scherer approached the department about helping her be more responsive to families asking her for help with DCFS. That meeting came up in the hearing yesterday and we shared that we asked the Representative to refer all futures questions to the Advocacy Hotline. The advocacy center already exists and serves an important role for any family needing assistance resolving an issue with the department.

We also let all the members present in the meeting know they should refer their concerns to the same advocacy hotline. This is not a new service that was setup for legislators.

Thanks,

Jassen

The question and my commentary have been deleted.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Let’s go back to DCFS, which has come up with a novel way to maybe placate some state legislators…

During the meeting, it was reported DCFS had already made changes following discussions held April 30, including adding a phone line lawmakers can now call to receive updates about any constituent who approaches them about his or her case.

“I think it’s important for us to be responsive in a way we haven’t before,” Smith said.