State Representative Jeff Keicher (Republican 70^th District of Sycamore) presented statistics showing the impact of unemployment and what he termed negative business strategies on Illinois residents during his presentation at this week’s meeting.  Drawing on data from the non-partisan Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), Keicher said that Illinois’ current unemployment rate of 4.9% is higher than that national average of 4.1%.  This translates into 55,400 underemployed people.  He said when compared to the six states bordering Illinois, there were 722,000 fewer people employed during the ten year census period of 2010 to 2020 than would have occurred if the State were just “average.”  Keicher said this translates into $26 billion of lost wages that otherwise could have gone into the state’s economy.

 

Keicher noted that a change to senior citizen drivers test requirements passed the General Assembly this year and was signed into law by the Governor.   The law mirrored a bill he introduced last year but which did not get called for a vote.  It resurfaced this year promoted by the Secretary of State.   It removes a requirement for yearly behind-the-wheel testing for those age 79-86.  Immediate family members are allowed to report concerns to the Secretary of State that can trigger further evaluation.  Keicher said he brought the bill forward after concerns were expressed during a town hall meeting and he analyzed data that showed the accident rate for this age group was actually less than other age groups.  He pointed out the value of raising issues and concerns to local legislators who can help get laws changed.

 

Keicher also talked about several other legislative issues making news.  One was the Governor’s veto of a bill allowing the State Treasurer to create an investment pool that could be used by non-profits to potentially earn more interest than current investment restrictions generate.  However, the Governor was concerned that this might lead to the state inadvertently funding extremist groups who are registered as non-profits.  Keicher said Lawmakers will likely be discussing ways to help fix large deficits faced by Chicago area mass transit agencies.  And he predicted further dialogue with the Chicago Bears as the football team pushes for state assistance to help  build a new stadium. 

August 17, 1786 – Frontiersman and politician Davey Crockett is born in Hawkins County, Tennessee.  He would die at age 49 during the defense of the Alamo in Texas.

 

August 19, 1946 – 42^nd U. S. President Bill Clinton is born in Hope, Arkansas.

 

August 20, 1833 – 23^rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, is born in North Bend, Ohio.  He was the grandson of the ninth President, William Henry Harrison.

 

August 21, 1936 – College and Pro-Basketball Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He was a 4-time NBA MVP, and 13-time All Star while playing for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and LA Lakers.  He won NBA championships with the 76ers and the Lakers.

August 17, 1978 – The first transatlantic balloon trip was completed.  Americans Max Anderson, Ben Abruzzo, and Larry Newman had departed from Maine 137 hours earlier in “Double Eagle II” and landed about 60 miles west of Paris.

 

August 18, 1872 – Aaron Montgomery Ward issues the first catalog for his mail-order business; it is one sheet listing 163 available items.

 

August 19, 1920 – The 19^th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution is ratified giving women the right to vote.

 

August 21, 1959 – President Dwight Eisenhower signs a proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50^th State of the Union.