Meier Announces Re-election for State Representative
State Representative Charlie Meier announced he will seek re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives. Meier is running for re-election in the Republican primary to be held on March 19, 2024.
Representative Charlie Meier serves as the Assistant House Republican Leader for the 103rd General Assembly, joining the leadership team chosen by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie. Rep. Meier has a proven track record of advocating for the region while bringing common sense conservative values to the State Capitol.
“The General Assembly led by Chicago Democrats continue to trample upon our conservative values,” said Rep. Meier. “They want to ban our guns, close our coal mines, block real ethics reform, and let criminals out of jail for free. I am running again to try and stop this liberal anti-southern Illinois agenda. I will always fight for our most vulnerable, support pro-jobs and pro-family legislation, protect our right to bear arms, support law enforcement and support stronger anti-corruption reforms.”
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State Lawmakers tour Community Link workshop amid pending legislation
On August 28, State Representatives Charlie Meier, Katie Stuart, Amy Elik and Senator Erica Harriss toured the Community Link workshop in Breese. Lawmakers were at the facility to talk about legislation that was introduced in the Illinois House by Representative Theresa Mah that would put at least 50% of workers with developmental and intellectual disabilities and service providers out of work throughout the state.
HB 793 would put service providers out of work because they can’t afford to pay minimum wage to workers with developmental and intellectual disabilities while also having to support workers with restroom and feeding assistance and making sure they take their medication on time.
Read the full story here.
Rep. Meier’s Statement on Governor’s Veto of New Nuclear Power Plant Construction
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) issued the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker vetoed legislation to lift the new nuclear power plant construction ban in Illinois:
“I disagree with the Governor’s policy on closing coal-fired power plants and opposing new nuclear power plant construction in Illinois. Electricity customers are paying higher energy bills because of the war on coal and the mirage that wind and solar will meet our energy demands. This veto by Governor Pritzker threatens reliable low-cost energy prices in our state and curbs the economic benefits of providing Illinoisans with multiple options to produce and purchase energy. We can’t meet our energy demands on wind and solar alone, nuclear power and coal-fired power plants must be part of the solution.”
Statement on IL Supreme Court Ruling in Favor of Gun Ban
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) issued the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to uphold legislation enforcing a gun ban in the state:
“Once again Governor Pritzker’s Democrat Packed Supreme Court, elected with gerrymandered maps delivered another questionable ruling. I voted against this gun ban when it was pushed through the Illinois House in January because it diminishes our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment clearly states the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. The final decision on law-abiding gun owners’ constitutional right will ultimately be made by the U.S. Supreme Court in the near future.”
Rep. Meier Earns Award for Conservative Voting Record in the House of Representatives
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) has one of the best conservative voting records in the Illinois House of Representatives which is why he received the ‘Conservative Achievement’ award for the 2021 session of the House of Representatives. The conservative award was recently presented to Rep. Meier by the American Conservative Union Foundation.
“I am honored to earn the ‘Conservative Achievement’ award for having one of the most conservative voting records at the State House. My constituents can count on me to be their conservative voice in the Illinois legislature.” said Rep. Meier. “The Democrat-controlled legislature has gone too far with their liberal agenda that has led to record inflation, high gasoline prices and high electricity and natural gas prices. I won’t stop defending our conservative values in the legislature.”
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Meier named Champion of Free Enterprise by Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who have made special contributions to the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans. Meier was one of three State Representatives to earn a 100% pro-jobs rating from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
“Advocating for more jobs and economic development in my district is a top priority,” said Rep. Meier. “I’m honored to be recognized by the business community for my pro-jobs voting record. We have to work that much harder to keep and attract businesses in the region due to our proximity to Missouri. I will continue to promote our region as the best location for businesses to call home and to expand their business.”
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Meier: Emergency Session Ends with Pay Raise for Lawmakers, Unbalanced Budget and No Plan to Reopen
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) was disappointed with the Illinois General Assembly’s action following the emergency session which ended after midnight on May 24th in Springfield. The legislative session ended with lawmakers receiving a pay raise, a budget which spent billions the state doesn’t have and they skipped town without a vote to safely reopen Illinois earlier than Governor Pritzker’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan.
“With less revenue for state government and record unemployment, it makes zero sense for the legislature to give themselves a pay raise and spend money the state doesn’t have,” said Rep. Meier. “I voted against the state budget because it makes promises the state can’t afford to keep. With billions in debt and less revenue for the state, now more than ever must our state government tighten its belt and stop digging ourselves deeper into debt.”
The State of Illinois owes more than $7.4 billion in unpaid bills, with 74,064 invoices waiting to be paid. Illinois’ estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2021 which begins July 1, 2020, and ends July 1, 2021 is $36.8 billion. Yet, the Democrat-controlled legislature approved a $42.8 billion budget which included borrowing $5 billion. The legislature anticipates Governor Pritzker will sign the budget very soon.
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Rep. Meier: Childcare Centers Can Reopen May 29
Childcare centers are allowed to reopen Friday, May 29 thanks to child care advocates, State Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena), and State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). More childcare centers will now be allowed to reopen in Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker’s plan as more families head back to work.
According to Rep. Meier, “With Missouri already reopened and barbers, salons, retail, and manufacturing reopening on May 29, it’s good to know people returning to work in Illinois will have more access to child care.”
Last week Rep. Meier and 27 other House Republican members sent a letter to Governor Pritzker, urging him to allow all Illinois child care providers to reopen as regions move to Phase 3. The reopening of childcare centers was previously listed as a Phase 4 item in Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan. Today the Governor announced that all 5,500 of Illinois’ child care centers that were not deemed as “essential” may indeed reopen on May 29 when all four regions of the state move to Phase 3.
“As childcare owners are mostly women, and women would be the ones forced to stay home if they can’t find sufficient childcare when trying to return to work, Governor Pritzker’s plan as originally proposed, left women all over the state high and dry,” Rep. McDermed said.
Newly reopened providers will have reduced capacity, of no more than 10 children per classroom, for the first 4 weeks. Once they have provided care safely for four weeks and have followed the new health, social distancing, and sanitation routines and guidelines, they will be able to expand to larger group sizes, though not their full licensed capacity.
Rep. Meier files bill to reject pay raise for lawmakers
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) filed legislation for Illinois lawmakers to reject the 2.6% pay raise scheduled to take effect July 1, 2020 and also take away the 2.4% pay raise given to lawmakers last year. According to state law, each year lawmakers are scheduled to receive a ‘pay raise’ unless they vote to reject the annual cost of living adjustment.
“With record unemployment and less of revenue for the state, it makes no sense for the legislature to give themselves a pay raise,” said Rep. Meier. “The state will need to tighten its belt and squeeze every penny it can get for the fiscal year 2021 budget. There is no way the legislature can justify giving themselves a pay raise.”
State Rep. Charlie Meier filed House Bill 5777 to reject the annual pay raise for Illinois senators and representatives. If the House and Senate do not vote to reject the pay raise during session this week, then lawmakers will receive the $1,805 pay raise on July 1. If enacted, Meier’s legislation would reduce lawmaker salaries totaling $3,433.
Rep. Meier added, “When lawmakers received a pay raise last year, I donated the raise to five nonprofits serving southern Illinois. If this year’s pay raise is not rejected by the legislature, then I will donate this year’s raise again to local nonprofits.”
Rep. Meier on KMOV Channel 4 St. Louis discussing opposition to Pritzker’s emergency rule to put mom and pop business owners in jail
Watch Meier’s interview on KMOV St. Louis here.
According to Rep. Meier, “I find it disgusting this Governor will try to lock up mom and pop business owners just trying to feed their families and pay their bills while his family travels around the country and he continues to let rapists and murderers out of jail! Who would have thought he was planning on using those cells for people paying taxes.”