SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced nearly 700 roadwork projects, including much of the construction on the Kennedy Expressway, will halt after June 30 due to the ongoing state budget impasse.

“Prolonging construction on the Kennedy Expressway, one of the busiest in the entire country, makes our roads more dangerous and increases the daily commute time of thousands of people across the Northwest Suburbs,” said State Sen. Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat.

IDOT also estimated the construction delay could put up to 25,000 people out of work.

“The so-called pro-businesses governor should realize laying off thousands of workers and creating barriers for others to commute to work every day will have a long-term negative impact on our state’s economy and does nothing to encourage job creators to come to Illinois,” Murphy said. “This is yet another example of how Gov. Rauner’s failure to negotiate a balanced budget is having a real impact on the lives of everyday Illinoisans.”

While the state continues to collect the tax dollars to pay for these projects through the gas tax, the money cannot be spent without a state budget.

Last month, the Senate voted to authorize the nearly $2.3 billion in spending to allow these projects to continue. Sen. Murphy supported the proposal.

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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the statement below after Gov. Rauner’s self-proclaimed “unity” speech at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

“If Gov. Rauner had been at the Capitol last month instead of crafting his multi-million-dollar smear campaign, he may have noticed the Senate already passed a balanced budget that contained property tax reform, term limits for legislative leadership and many of the other reforms he has demanded. We took the necessary steps to provide stability and certainty to the state without him.

“Now, he’s called the legislature back to Springfield to the tune of $48,000 per day. It’s time for him to drop the political games and join us in supporting a balanced budget.”

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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below after Gov. Bruce Rauner called the Illinois legislature back to Springfield for special session on June 21.

“I’m willing to negotiate a balanced budget with the governor any time or any place. The Senate spent six months this spring negotiating a balanced budget to provide much-needed stability for our state.

“The budget plan we put together includes $3 billion in cuts and many of the reforms he initially proposed. It’s disappointing that during those negotiations he was traveling the state on a campaign tour.

“Hopefully now the governor will begin to take his job seriously and join us to negotiate a balanced budget that protects colleges and universities, services for the most vulnerable citizens of our society and provides stability for small businesses and our entire state.

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SPRINGFIELD- Over 15 million United States residents have their identity stolen every year, resulting in nearly $50 billion stolen from victims. Many of these crimes are committed by criminals sifting through trash in search of credit card bills and other personal information, allowing them to steal their unknowing victim’s information.

To cut down on future financial fraud, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is joining with State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) to host a Community Shred Day to give local residents an opportunity to securely dispose of their personal information.

“The number of financial crimes committed each year is staggering,” Murphy said. “This shred day will give local residents the peace of mind to know their personal information won’t fall into the wrong hands.”

The shred day will be held on Saturday June 17 from 9 a.m. – Noon at Juno Lighting, 1300 S. Wolf Road in Des Plaines.

It is a free event, but there are some restrictions, including:
•    Limit two boxes per car
•    Cardboard boxes cannot be left at the event
•    Residential shredding only
•    Shredding only accepted until shred trucks reach capacity
•    Please remove all paper clips, staples and other bindings

For more information, please call State Sen. Laura Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110.