State Representative John Cavaletto met with Kaskaskia College (KC) President Dr. Jim Underwood and the Board of Trustees, as well as academic department heads to discuss educational programs and projects for the College. Cavaletto joined other Illinois legislators from the region (seated in the front row of the photo: Senators Dave Leuchtefeld and Kyle McCarter, and Representatives Charlie Meier and John Cavaletto) whose residents are served by Kaskaskia College, to discuss the possibilities of where the State might be able to partner with the College and to discuss the  financial challenges facing higher education in Illinois.

State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) this morning passed his first bill of the new legislative session out of committee. House Bill 226 would allow the Sandoval Community Unit School District 501 to sell bonds up to $2.5 million to build a new elementary school and replace the current building that was built in 1939.

Cavaletto was joined by Sandoval Board of Education Secretary Darin Brandt and his daughter, 8^th grade student Dori Brandt, to present testimony before the Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee in Springfield in support of this legislation. The bill passed by a vote of 18-5-3 and will be reported favorably to the full House for consideration.

“I am proud of the testimony provided by Mr. Brandt and Dori on behalf of the school board and the voters of Sandoval Community Unit School District 501,” said Rep. Cavaletto. “I was a little concerned at first with the State Board of Education and some of the legislators from up north who were opposed to the bill, but when the facts were laid out that it is cheaper to build new rather than try to repair all of the problems and that the local voters approved spending the money with a 75% favorable vote, I think that sealed the deal for the Elementary & Secondary Education Committee,” Cavaletto added.

 If it passes the House it will go to the Illinois Senate for a vote. Once the bill passes both houses it will go to the governor for his consideration.

Rep. Cavaletto joined Salem Mayor John Raymer in presenting Rita Winkler (president of the Murray Center Parents' Association) with the "Key to the City" award for her continuing work to "Save Murray Center" from being closed. She has worked for more than three years to fight the move of the residents to CILA homes that are not a good environment for most of the residents who need special around the clock care and medical attention.

The Warren G. Murray Developmental Center for people with severe disabilities just celebrated its 50th year of service to the people of Illinois, yet was on the list for closure by the former governor. Governor Rauner has cancelled the $2 million contract to move residents and another $312,000 contract for unnecessary security. Some of the part-time positions at the Center have been made full-time, indicating the new governor intends to keep his campaign promise to keep Murray Center open for the most vulnerable citizens of our state.

State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) pulled together a meeting of state legislators, congressional members, biologists, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss a broad spectrum of issues related to Lake Shelbyville, Lake Carlyle, and Rend Lake and water levels, fisheries, repairs and goals for these "three diamonds" of tourism, recreation and sources of water for agriculture in the region. This was also an opportunity for Department of Natural Resources staff, legislators and Army Corps personnel to meet the former state representative and now newly appointed Director, Wayne Rosenthal.

This past weekend, State Rep. Cavaletto, affectionately known as "Coach" by his friends and colleagues in the Legislature and throughout the southern Illinois region where he coached high school basketball for many years, was asked to present the awards to both the 80th National Trail Conference (NTC) boy's basketball winners and the Outstanding Scholars of the National Trail Conference.

Rep. Cavaletto congratulates Dieterich team captains Devin Aherin, Alex Bohnhoff, and Clayton Campton, shortly after presenting the championship trophy for the 80th National Trail Conference Boys' Basketball Tournament, as conference officials Jerry Phillips and Benji Johnson look on.

 

State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) announced today that he has requested and been asked to serve on the following committees of the Illinois House of Representatives:

* Agriculture & Conservation

* Appropriations – Public Safety

* Counties and Townships

* Elementary & Secondary Education:  School Curriculum & Policies

* Minority Spokesperson –Special Needs Services

* Minority Spokesperson – Small Business Empowerment and

Workforce Development

“I am excited to be able to advocate for the residents of my district and all of the people of Illinois by serving on these committees,” said Rep. Cavaletto. “My educational, professional, and volunteer background give me the ability to deal with a broad spectrum of issues that will come before my committees in developing sound, common-sense public policy in Illinois,” Cavaletto added.

Constituents may follow the legislative process at www.ilga.gov and contact the representative at www.johncavaletto.org.