Written by Forby Staff Friday, 03 February 2012 15:06
Last week, the governor gave his State of the State speech. He talked a lot about how things have gotten better over the past few years, and he's right. In early 2010, the unemployment rate in Marion was 11.4%.
In the Harrisburg area, it was 12.1%. The economy has recovered enough that a lot of people are back to work. Unemployment is down nearly 3% in those cities, and it's stayed below 10% for more than a year.
Written by Forby Staff Friday, 27 January 2012 14:45
This week I’m heading back to Springfield for the 2012 session of the General Assembly. We’ll start introducing our ideas for new laws, but more importantly we’ll listen to Governor Quinn’s State of the State speech. He’ll tell us how he thinks Illinois is doing and explain his ideas for moving Illinois forward.
Written by Forby Staff Wednesday, 25 January 2012 16:02
BENTON, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) are proud to announce that the governor's office has released more than $200,000 to help make it safer for children to get to Metropolis Elementary School.
"I'm happy that we can help make sure that the kids in Metropolis get to school safe," Forby said. "Parents shouldn't have to worry when their kids walk or ride bikes to school."
Read more: Forby and Phelps announce "Safe Route to School" funding for Metropolis
Written by Forby Staff Monday, 09 January 2012 12:39
Legislators accomplished a number of goals during the first half of the 97th General Assembly, but there’s no question that the upcoming session will present even more challenges as our State continues to recover from the national economic downturn. In this week’s column, I wanted to highlight some of the bills I sponsored and helped pass last year that benefit Southern Illinois. As your voice in Springfield, I have continued my commitment to put people back to work and revitalize our region’s coal industry.
Written by Forby Staff Friday, 16 December 2011 11:45
As the holiday season approaches once again this year, a number of local charities and organizations will be continuing their hard work to ensure that every child in Southern Illinois has a present to open on Christmas. With the state still recovering from one of the worst economic downturns in our nation’s history, charities and social service organizations in our region are facing an increased demand for their supplies and services. That is why now, more than ever, I am asking residents to come together to help out during this holiday season and give whatever they can to support this great cause. No matter the amount or size of the gift, your thoughtfulness could be what makes a child’s Christmas memorable this year.
Written by Forby Staff Friday, 02 December 2011 16:27
The final day of veto session came and went as legislators and I returned to Springfield to debate a number of issues this past week. Some of the concerns we voted on during the one-day extended veto session included legislation that paves the way for a clean coal plant to be built in downstate Illinois and a bill that keeps Chester Mental Health Center and the detention center in Murphysboro open through at least the end of the Fiscal Year 2012, which ends June 30. These were both important concerns for the people of our district to keep our economy growing during these difficult economic times.
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59th District
Years served: 2001-2003 (House); 2003 - Present (Senate)
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Insurance; Labor (Chairperson); Telecommunications & Technology; Transportation; Consumer Protection; Trans. Subcommittee on Amendments (Sub-Chairperson).
Biography: Born January 4, 1945, in Anna, Illinois. Full-time state legislator; former farmer and businessman; past chairman, Franklin County Board; former member, Franklin - Williamson Human Services Board; current member, Southern Illinois Workforce Man-Tra-Con Board, Operating Engineers and Laborers' International unions.
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