JoAnn D. Osmond - Press Releases

• Osmond Commended as Champion of Free Enterprise
• NorthPointe Resources recognizes State Representative
  JoAnn Osmond
• Quinn Proposes Massive Tax, Fee Hikes
• Lake County Legislators Seek to Block Governor
• House Approves Bill to Help At-Risk Homeowners
• Rep. Osmond's Sex Offender Bill Signed by Governor
• Geo-Karis Marina Bill Becomes Law
• Bill Protecting Homeowners from Fraud Signed Into Law
• Osmond Secures Final Passage of Bill to Protect Female First Responders During Pregnancy
• Osmond Passes Bill to Improve Sedation Licensing Procedures
• Over $60 Million For Area Projects Included In IDOT 6-YEAR Road Plan

Articles

Osmond Commended as Champion of Free Enterprise

From a Press Release Sent Monday, July 19th, 2010

ANTIOCH, IL... Today State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R, Antioch) was announced as having received the "Champion of Free Enterprise Award" given by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce recognizing legislators whose voting records contain strong support for the business community.

"If we are going to change the culture in Springfield, businesses and employers must be able to gauge the records of their legislators, and our legislative ratings are one way of doing that," stated Todd Maisch, the Chamber's Vice President for Government Affairs. "Legislators such as JoAnn Osmond recognize the needs of the business community and how they coincide with creating jobs in Illinois, and for that we have selected her to receive this award."

The Chamber's ratings are based on legislative votes on key business issues during the 96th General Assembly. These votes are selected and weighted based on their impact of businesses, and to and to a lesser extent the gap between opposing views on the issue. In the case of multiple roll calls, the most relevant vote has been selected.

Legislators with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85% or better over the previous three General Assemblies have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit and qualify for the award. Osmond has received 100%, 89% and 100% during the past three General Assemblies putting her with three other of her colleagues for the highest average over the past three sessions.

"I have worked hard at fostering business here in Illinois and am pleased at receiving this award," stated Osmond. "My only hope is that our work pays off and our employment numbers begin to rebound here in Illinois."

The Champion of Free Enterprise Awards are given biennially and presented locally throughout the year.

As always, thank you for your continued support and I will continue to update you on important issues as they arise.

Sincerely,

JoAnn D. Osmond
Assistant Minority Leader
State Representative - 61st District

NorthPointe Resources recognizes State Representative
JoAnn Osmond

What
NorthPointe Resources, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health illnesses, recently held its 56th annual board meeting and appreciation awards at the Killian Center on Sheridan Road in Zion.

Karl Kopp, President/CEO of NorthPointe presented the "Legislator of the Year" award to State Representative JoAnn Osmond. "Representative Osmond has really been working to improve lives by seeing if all branches of state government, state agencies and county offices can work together to communicate what is lacking or needed in caring for individual with disabilities," stated Karl Kopp.

"I’m humbled that I was selected as a recipient of this award, and look forward to continuing to work in the best interest of individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers," stated Representative JoAnn Osmond.

“Over 30 awards were presented throughout the night for community members from across Lake County, Wisconsin and as far away as DuPage County ” added Colette Berardi, of Highland Park IL, Event Chair and Board Member, “It was a great to see so many who share their time and resources to support our mission.”

Who
For over 55 years, NorthPointe Resources has helped thousands of individuals with developmental and mental disabilities, and mental illness, realize their dreams.. For more information please visit: www.NorthPointeResources.org

Quinn Proposes Massive Tax, Fee Hikes

Blagojevich May Be Gone, But Bad Budget Policies Remain

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn delivered his first annual budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly today, calling for a sweeping income tax hike along with various other tax and fee increases to close a massive budget shortfall. Assistant Minority Leader and State Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) responded to how the Governor’s budget targets middle-class working families and those on fixed incomes to solve the state’s budget woes after more than six years of mismanagement by Democrats.

“The Governor’s budget is another example of misplaced priorities,” Rep. Osmond said. “We should be placing a greater emphasis on cutting government spending and bureaucratic waste instead of asking already overburdened taxpayers to foot the bill for a crisis they did not create. Taxpayers are the victims of this economy, not the culprits.”

Among the key components of Governor Quinn’s budget plan would be to raise the $78 license-plate sticker fee to $98, increasing the cigarette tax up by an additional $1-a-pack over 2 years, raising the income tax by 50% (from 3 to 4.5%), boosting the corporate tax rate to the maximum allowed under the state Constitution, skipping $5.7 billion in state pension payments over the next 3 years and cutting nearly $1.3 billion in state spending.

The state budget is currently $4.2 billion in debt and facing a shortfall of nearly $11.5 billion by the summer of 2010.

“The Governor’s plan to tax the middle class and job-creating businesses will only serve to further weaken our fragile economy,” Rep. Osmond added. “We all know that when you tax something more, the people will produce less of it. Less productivity and higher taxes means a reduction in consumer spending and a loss of revenue that we can ill afford at a time when we need to be focusing on creating jobs and strengthening our economy.”

Lake County Legislators Seek to Block Governor

SPRINGFIELD- Working to ensure the integrity of any federal stimulus funding allocated to Illinois, State Representative Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) filed legislation today urging Congress to approve an amendment to the federal economic stimulus package banning Rod Blagojevich from having authority over the appropriation of Illinois’ share of any federal funding.

Joining Sullivan as co-sponsors were Representatives Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) and JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch). The resolution, HR 25, specifically urges Congress to include in the proposed economic stimulus bill language to limit Governor Blagojevich's ability to administer and distribute federal stimulus moneys.

“As responsible public servants, we have a duty and an obligation to prevent the Governor from having any power whatsoever over federal stimulus money meant to help families and taxpayers in our struggling economy,” Sullivan said.

The resolution supports an amendment to the federal economic stimulus bill sponsored by U.S. Representatives Mark Kirk (R-10th) and Bill Foster (D-14th) to prevent Blagojevich from exercising authority of federal stimulus funding for Illinois, the only Governor in the nation singled out for exemption.

“Jumpstarting our economy and providing relief to working families must remain our first priority,” Rep. Cole said. “In tough economic times like these, we cannot afford to let politics enter into the equation over how vital stimulus funding is spent.”

Joining her colleagues in sponsoring the resolution, Rep. Osmond also highlighted the importance of the legislation in consideration of the Governor’s recent impeachment and the criminal charges he faces in a political corruption probe.

“Governor Blagojevich has violated the public trust and must not be given an opportunity to play politics with federal tax dollars meant to help those in need,” Rep. Osmond said. “Together we must urge Congress to approve this vital amendment and deliver the aid that Illinois families need.”

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House Approves Bill to Help At-Risk Homeowners
Legislation Creates 90-Day Moratorium on Home Foreclosures

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Monday to create a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures and strengthen existing provisions protecting homeowners from exploitation by mortgage rescue fraud.

State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) voted in favor of Senate Bill 2513 and expressed strong support for the need to give struggling homeowners time to seek an alternative to foreclosure and prevent them from being victimized by predatory practices.

“In today’s difficult housing market, it is imperative that we do everything we can to help people be able to stay in their homes and protect them from falling prey to those who would try to exploit them” Rep. Osmond said. “With foreclosures at an all-time high in Illinois, the time could not be better for us to strengthen state law to assist those at-risk.”

Specifically, the legislation seeks to protect homeowners in default from being victimized by consultants who offer them get-rich-quick schemes to save their homes. New language also caps fees charged by private sector lenders to homeowners and bans attorneys not licensed in Illinois from providing mortgage rescue services.

The 90-day moratorium for those facing foreclosure is outlined as follows under the bill:

• The lender must send the mortgagor (borrower) an additional warning by certified mail and cannot foreclose for at least 30 days after the warning is mailed.
• During this 30-day “window” the borrower has the right to seek approved mortgage counseling.
• If the borrower seeks counseling, he or she will have an additional 30-day grace period to work out a mortgage refinancing plan.
• This stays foreclosures for an additional 30 days on top of the 30 day grace period

Senate Bill 2513 now goes to the Governor for final approval after Monday’s House passage. The legislation originally won approval by the State Senate in April 2008.

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Rep. Osmond's Sex Offender Bill Signed by Governor

Antioch, IL … Legislation prohibiting sex offenders from renting property to a tenant with children, sponsored by State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch), was recently signed into law.

“Through the years, keeping children safe from sex offenders has been a top priority of mine. I am very pleased the Governor signed the legislation, which is intended to add an extra layer between a sex offender and children,” said Osmond.

House Bill 4207 provides that it is a Class 4 felony for a child sex offender who owns residential real estate to knowingly rent to a person who is the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18. The new provision applies to leases or other rental arrangements after Jan. 1 when the new law goes into effect.

Rep. Osmond said the bill was drafted after a landlord and known sex offender in her district rented property to tenants with children. The landlord would visit the property occasionally to collect rent and identify problems on the property. However, while doing so, he would be in close proximity to the children of the home.

Current law states there are no restrictions on renting to a child sex offender, only that the offender cannot live within 500 feed of schools, churches, daycares, etc.

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Geo-Karis Marina Bill Becomes Law

ANTIOCH – A bill sponsored by State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) providing for the maintenance and reconstruction of the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Marina in Winthrop Harbor was signed into law on Tuesday by Governor Rod Blagojevich, Representative Osmond's office announced today.

Representative Osmond's bill, HB 32, requires the Department of Natural Resources to formulate and implement a 10-year program to be in place by January 1, 2008 for the maintenance and reconstruction of the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach Marina. The Senate sponsor of Representative Osmond's bill was Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan).

“This new law will ensure the quality of the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Marina for the use of the community and local residents for years to come,” Osmond said. “I am proud to have introduced this legislation and pleased to announce that this important community project has become law. It is vital that we establish a program to ensure the long-term quality of the marina for public recreation, and this legislation will accomplish that goal,” Osmond added. Representative Osmond led a strong bipartisan team of support on behalf of HB 32 in the House of Representatives, where it passed unanimously on February 28. The bill then moved to the Senate where it passed on May 15 before going to the Governor for approval.

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Bill Protecting Homeowners from Fraud Signed Into Law

ANTIOCH – A bill sponsored by State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) protecting homeowners from consumer fraud was signed into law on Tuesday by Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Representative Osmond's office announced today.

SB 1464, sponsored in the House by Representative Osmond, is aimed at “fly-by-night” mortgage lenders when they try to portray themselves as an affiliate of the consumer's lending bank. Most of these companies utilize public information that is available at any county recorder's office to find potential customers. Each time a mortgage is filed or refinanced, it must be filed with the local county recorder and subsequently becomes public information. Fraudulent lenders can often obtain this information and use it to misrepresent themselves as being affiliated with the homeowner's mortgage company.

The new law, SB 1464, provides that no person may send marketing materials to a consumer indicating that they are connected to the consumer's mortgage company, indicating that there is a problem with the consumer's mortgage, or stating that the marketing materials contain information concerning the consumer's mortgage, unless that person sending the marketing materials is actually employed by the consumer's mortgage company or an affiliate of the consumer's mortgage company. The bill's Senate sponsor was Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester).

“This new law is important in protecting homeowners from lenders who fraudulently misrepresent themselves as being affiliated with the homeowner's mortgage company,” Osmond said. “Homeowners have the right to expect the security of knowing that their mortgage information will not be used against them by predatory lenders attempting to deceive them for financial gain.” SB 1464 was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich on Tuesday, August 28.

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Osmond Secures Final Passage of Bill to Protect Female First Responders During Pregnancy

SPRINGFIELD – A bill sponsored by State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) providing for the rights of a pregnant female peace officer or pregnant female fire fighter to request an assignment transfer for the duration of her pregnancy unanimously passed the Illinois Senate on Tuesday and will now be sent to the Governor for approval.

Representative Osmond's bill, HB 166, would amend the Illinois Human Rights Act to make it a civil rights violation for a public employer to refuse to temporarily transfer a pregnant female peace officer or a pregnant female fire fighter to a less strenuous or hazardous position for the duration of her pregnancy if she so requests, with the advice of her physician, where that transfer can be reasonably accommodated.

“This common-sense legislation will protect the rights of women serving as first responders to maintain their work responsibilities during pregnancy,” Osmond said. “Women who serve as peace officers and fire fighters put their lives on the line every single day in order to protect our communities, and they deserve the right to request a temporary transfer to a less physically demanding job assignment for the duration of their pregnancy if they so choose.” Representative Osmond's bill secured broad-based bipartisan support in the House, where it passed on March 28 before moving to the Senate. The Senate sponsor of HB 166 was Senator Michael Bond (D-Grayslake).

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Osmond Passes Bill to Improve Sedation Licensing Procedures

SPRINGFIELD – A bill sponsored by State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) aimed at ensuring that only licensed professionals perform anesthesia or sedation to patients under their care for dental purposes unanimously passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a unanimous vote of 115-0.

The legislation, SB 214, requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) to establish requirements and standards in determining sedation permit qualifications for dentists and nurse anesthetists who perform sedation. The other provisions of SB 214 include:

•  Setting standards for education and training for dentists who perform sedation.

•  Ensuring properly equipped facility requirements.

•  Training requirements for those assisting the dentist during sedation.

•  Requirements that all persons must maintain current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).

•  Requirements for continuing education for dentist with sedation permits.

•  Lists the current policy documents published that must be considered when developing these requirements so that the most updated standards are reviewed and utilized for public safety.

•  Requires a dentist to possess the appropriate sedation permit (A or B) if a certified registered nurse anesthetist is administering sedation in a dental office while the dentist performs dentistry.

Representative Osmond led a strong bi-partisan team on behalf of SB 214, which is supported by the Illinois State Dental Society, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The Senate sponsor of SB 214 was Senator William R. Haine (D-Alton).

“It defies common sense that anyone other than a licensed professional should be able to administer general anesthesia or conscious sedation to patients under their care,” Osmond said. “Unfortunately, common sense protections of people receiving medical and dental care don't always find their way into Illinois law on their own.”

“This bill will protect everyone who enters a dentist's office by ensuring that the individual administering anesthesia or sedation to a patient is licensed by the State to perform that function. Properly licensing professionals who perform sedation is in the best interest of the patient, the dentist, and the dental office assistants and staff,” Osmond said. SB 214 will now be sent to the Governor for approval.

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Osmond: Over $60 Million for Area Projects Included in IDOT 6-Year Road Plan

ANTIOCH – Over $60 million is earmarked for road and bridge projects throughout northern Lake County in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s new 6-year plan, State Representative JoAnn Osmond said today. Osmond (R-Antioch) said the plan utilizes federal, state and in some cases local transportation funds to make needed safety repairs to roads and bridges throughout the district.

“The plan outlines the Department of Transportation’s highest priority projects over the next 6 years. I am very pleased that many crucial projects in northern Lake County made the list and will be getting underway within the next couple of years,” Osmond said.

Area projects slated to begin in Fiscal Year 2009 in the IDOT plan include:

Other projects outlined in the plan include land acquisitions on IL 83 at Grand Ave., on IL 173 west of IL 59, and on US 45 from north of Milburn Rd. to south of Milburn Rd. Several bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects are also slated to take place locally under the 6-year plan.

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