The Senate has reached the mid-point of session with the deadline for getting substantive bills out of committee passing about a week ago. This week, I thought I would take time to discuss the committees I am a part of and why they are an important part of the legislative process. During these hearings, my colleagues and I debate the pros and cons of bills before a measure is taken to the floor for a vote. Agencies and individuals that support a proposal are allowed to give testimony, and opponents are allowed to defend their positions as well. This type of discussion is vital to the legislative process and coming up with responsible, sensible solutions.

This year, I was selected to serve on five different Senate committees. I am proud to have been selected to serve as the Chairperson of the Senate Labor Committee again this year. Southern Illinois has a rich history of hard-work men and women and a strong labor workforce. As chairman, I can help ensure Illinois working families are supported and workers’ rights are protected. With everything going on across the country and our state’s push to create more opportunities for workers, protecting their rights is more important than ever. During these tough times, many businesses are looking at cost-saving measures and we need to make sure that employees are making an honest wage for their hard work. When workers get paid an honest wage, they can spend that money on groceries, their children’s education and other goods that will help boost the economy. Throughout my time in the Senate I have pursued job-creating legislation and I will continue to work on measures that put people in our district back to work so they can support their families.

I am also a member of the Senate Energy, Insurance and Licensed Activities committees this year. These committees will allow me to help the people of our district as well as the rest of our state in different areas. The Energy Committee will allow me to pursue energy technologies, like clean coal, and increase the demand for one of our area’s greatest resources. On the Insurance Committee, I will continue to work to make insurance is affordable for Illinois residents and that insurance companies live up to their obligations when you need to make a claim. And as a member of the Licensed Activities Committee, I will be able to help grant licenses to businesses to encourage job growth.

These committees will allow me to continue to stand up for the people of Southern Illinois. With the halfway point behind us, I know there are still a number of difficult challenges ahead and we will have to make some tough decisions; but I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass legislation that benefits our region and the rest of Illinois. I will continue to pursue every opportunity to put people back to work, pay our bills and fix our state budget.