Senator Linda Holmes News

In January, Illinois Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) made the decision to stop offering the legislative scholarship program after a series of reports came out about abuse within the program. Nearly four months later, the entire Illinois Senate followed suit as a measure to abolish the program passed out of the Senate chamber this afternoon.

House Bill 3810 would abolish the tuition waiver program and set up a task force to review and evaluate tuition and fee waiver programs offered by universities in Illinois.

“I welcome the rest of the General Assembly in the effort to eliminate fraudulent and abusive practices in our State. The time to end the troubled scholarship program has come and I am pleased that the rest of the General Assembly has finally realized that,” Senator Holmes said. “I look forward to putting this distraction behind us so we can focus on other important issues in the coming weeks – like balancing the budget and ensuring the State lives within its means.”

Over the past few years, a number of media outlets have highlighted abuses of the tuition waiver program. According to the reports, some legislators have given scholarships to children of campaign donors.

Prior to her decision to opt out of the program, Holmes formed a separate committee that ensured she was kept out of the process. The scholarships helped a number of deserving students in her district, Holmes said, but the program has become too tainted to continue in Illinois.

“I am proud of the many wonderful students who were able to pursue their dream of higher education because of the scholarship program. But, unfortunately, the abuses by some legislators forced me to suspend the program. Ending this program is another step in the right direction to restore integrity in state government,” Senator Holmes added.

After passing the Senate, the measure now moves to the Illinois House for further consideration.

“Helping employers hire veterans is good for business, good for the economy, and the right thing to do.” – State Senator Linda Holmes

Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) aimed at encouraging businesses to hire unemployed veterans passed the Illinois Senate earlier today. The measure, Senate Bill 3241, gives employers a 20% tax credit when they hire an unemployed veteran who has served on active duty since September 11, 2001.

“Unemployment among our veterans far exceeds national averages,” Holmes said. "Returning veterans have already proven themselves to be committed, disciplined, and experienced workers – helping employers hire veterans is good for business, good for the economy, and the right thing to do."

Under current law, businesses are entitled to a tax credit equal to 10% of wages paid to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Holmes’ legislation focuses on the unemployed veteran by giving a 20% tax credit to employers who hire such veterans.  For the business to receive the tax credit, the newly-hired veteran must have been:

·        On active duty on or after 9/11;

·        A member of the United States Armed Forces, the Reserves, or the Illinois National Guard;

·        Honorably discharged; and

·        Unemployed for at least four weeks during the year before being hired.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on State Government and Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Holmes knows how vital ensuring veterans’ care is to the well-being of the State.

"Obviously, legislation supporting veterans and the fiscal health of Illinois is very dear to me, and I look forward to working with my colleagues this spring to pass a balanced budget that includes this job-creating provision," said Holmes.

The measure will now be sent to the Illinois House of Representatives for approval.

“I look forward to discussing ways we can modify this vital economic development tool so that municipalities continue to realize the benefit well into the future.” – State Senator Linda Holmes

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Continuing her focus on job creation, Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has signed on to two economic development bills that extend the life of Enterprise Zones.  Senate Bill 3253, of which Senator Holmes is a chief co-sponsor, gives local governments the ability to extend Enterprise Zones by 20 years.  Currently, zones can only be in existence for 30 years before expiring. 

“We have seen many success stories in attracting business investment and job creation in Enterprise Zones all across the state,” said Holmes.  “In fact, 2010 alone saw over 9,000 new jobs created and over $2.6 billion in business investments in these zones.”

Enterprise Zones offer businesses state and local tax relief as well as regulatory relief for developments and investments in economically challenged areas.  First created in 1982 by the Illinois legislature, there are currently 96 active Enterprise Zones across the state, including a zone in the Des Plaines River Valley in Joliet that has created over 180 jobs and seen over $32 million in investment. 

Holmes has also signed onto comprehensive Enterprise Zone legislation being led by Senator Frerichs that would extend the life of Enterprise Zones, as well as institute changes to modernize the program.  Senate Bill 3688 would extend the life of Enterprise Zones from the current 30 year maximum to 55 years in total.  The legislation would also allow the total number of zones to increase by 10 from the current 96 to 106. 

In the coming months, a recently formed bi-partisan Senate Special Committee on Enterprise Zone Extensions will travel the state to receive feedback from business and economic development leaders on ways to make Enterprise Zones more effective for economic development. 

“I look forward to discussing ways we can modify this vital economic development tool so that municipalities continue to realize the benefit well into the future,” Holmes added.   

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A major economic development package intended to keep up with changes in today’s marketplace and works to modernize the state’s tax code advanced the Illinois Senate this afternoon. State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) voted in support of the comprehensive package, which relieves an excessive tax burden that certain businesses deal with and will help keep these types of employers in Illinois.

Read more: Economic package will address tax concerns for businesses and working families; advances Senate

On November 11, downtown Aurora will be hosting its annual Veteran’s Day parade and ceremony honoring our veterans. Although the parade route is just a few short blocks, it ends at a very historic and special location on Downer Place in downtown Aurora with the post-parade ceremony at the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall.

Read more: A Monthly Update on Issues - 11-08-11