State Representative Charlie Meier

The Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee voted down legislation to allow non-resident active duty members and their spouse living in Illinois from obtaining a concealed carry license. The legislation sponsored by State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) would be helpful to service members and their families, particularly stationed at Scott Air Force Base. “I have been pushing for this bill ever since ISIS put out their hit list on our current and former service members,” said Rep. Meier. “Our veterans put their lives at risk to protect our freedom, it’s common sense that we allow them to protect themselves and their family when they are in public.” House Bill 4177 creates an exemption for non-resident active duty members of the Armed Forces or their spouses to apply for concealed carry licenses. Provides that whether or not the laws of the state where the non-resident resides are substantially similar to Illinois, the Illinois State Police shall allow by rule a non-resident license application if the applicant is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this State or the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this State. Rep. Meier added, “I won’t give up trying to make this bill become law – we owe it to our veterans. This bill has bipartisan support, it even passed the Illinois Senate last year. It’s a common sense bill to help those who protect us by offering them their Constitutional right to protect themselves and their families from danger.”

On Sunday, March 11, 2018 the Morning Sentinel endorsed Charlie Meier's re-election in the Republican primary to be held on Tuesday, March 20. Here is what the paper had to say... Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) is seeking re-election to the Illinois House in the 108th District. He deserves your consideration and your vote. First, Charlie is available to all constituents and others every hour of every day. He freely distributes his cell phone number and will answer calls while working the farm or working the floor of the Illinois House.He listens, he acts and he gets results. The people who should be most interested in getting Charlie re-elected are the residents and parents of residents at the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center in Centralia. Unfortunately, many of them cannot vote. Charlie took up the cause when the former administration tried to close the center. He never gave up the fight and he never backed down. Parents who do not live in Charlie’s district still support him and very publicly. Local support from the parents is visible and vocal. Charlie has proved he will not give up on Southern Illinois. He will remain a strong advocate for this area, for new jobs, lower property taxes and for paying off the state debt. When the Illinois Department of Agriculture laboratory closed, he worked with Rep. John Cavaletto of Salem to get the building donated to Kaskaskia College. When the state delayed paying utility bills at the Centralia Correctional Center, Charlie worked with the state to keep the resources needed to keep the center open. He assisted residents of New Minden after a tornado that killed people and damaged property. He helped block a proposal that would have prevented church members and volunteers from serving food at local fundraisers. He corrected a law that allowed a local health department to prevent a young girl from baking and selling cupcakes. He helped pass a law making handicap-accessible parks eligible for Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant funding. He remains active in educational reform and is a strong supporter of the U.S. Route 50 Coalition, which promotes a four-lane Route 50 across Southern Illinois. He is a familiar face at many locals breakfasts and dinners and he knows a lot of people at each event by name He voted for a Democratic income tax increase at the procedural level, but voted against the actual tax increase. He is the Republican spokesman for the House Agriculture Committee and understands the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. He is a farmer himself. He has served on the BCMW Board and currently serves as vice chairman. Through BCMW, he has helped provide meals to seniors, funding to help low-income residents pay their power bills, youth programs and clearing blighted buildings, primarily in Centralia. He also serves on the Heartland Conservancy Board which works to protect the Kaskaskia Watershed. In a sometimes toxic environment, Charlie Meier is a breath of fresh air and he should be elected to continue to represent us as he has proven that he can.

The Madison County Board recently approved a resolution to prevent the county from awarding severance pay and benefits to political insiders convicted of a crime. Despite 26 County Board Members voting in favor of the anti-corruption reform, County Board Member and Republican candidate for state representative Don Moore voted against the reform, essentially supporting severance pay and benefits to corrupt political hires convicted of a crime. The anti-corruption resolution was approved by the Madison County Board on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 by a vote of 26-1. Don Moore was the only Madison County Board Member opposed to the reform. “Madison County residents should be ashamed of Don Moore for supporting the use of their tax dollars to award severance pay and benefits to convicted criminals,” said Rep. Charlie Meier. “Why does he support rewarding a severance package and benefits to political insiders convicted of a crime? 26 county board members voted in favor of the reform. This was poor judgment by Moore. Thankfully the resolution passed despite Moore being the only vote against this anti-corruption reform.” According to the resolution approved Wednesday night, “In the event an Appointed Official or Department Head is convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year, or a crime of dishonesty or deceit, then the Appointed Official or Department Head may be terminated by the Chairman and County Board for cause without notice. The termination of the Appointed Official or Department Head shall be effective immediately upon approval of a Resolution by the Board terminating the employment. Further, and under such circumstances, the Appointed Official or Department Head shall not be entitled to any severance or benefits, save those that are required to be provided or offered by State, or Federal law.” The resolution to remove the requirement to award severance pay and benefits to Madison County political hires convicted of a crime can be found on page 19 enclosed.

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) is hosting a farmland assessment meeting to discuss increasing property assessments. The meeting will be held at Windows on Broadway, 401 Broadway, Highland, IL on February 22 at 6:30 p.m. Due, in part, to a change in the Farmland Assessment Act, all farmland assessments will continue to go up. The rate of increase will be largely dependent on the soil type. Poorer soils can expect to see a higher than 10% increase while better producing soils can expect an increase of less than 10%. This increase in assessed values will be reflected on the property tax bills payable in 2018 and for several years to come. Representative Meier has invited Brenda Matherly, Assistant Director of Local Government with Illinois Farm Bureau®, to join him at this event and meet with landowners to explain how farmland assessments are calculated and the long-term impact on those values. If anyone has a question about Thursday night’s meeting, please call Representative Meier’s District Office at 618-651-0405.

Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15), Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Mike Bost (IL-12) recently endorsed State Representative Charlie Meier’s re-election in the upcoming Republican primary. The Southern Illinois Congressman endorsed Meier based on his record of being a strong defender of Southern Illinois’ conservative values. “Charlie Meier is not only fighting for us in Southern Illinois by saying no to the Chicago Machine, he’s fighting for our core conservative values,” said Congressman John Shimkus. “Charlie Meier is pro-life, pro-family and a strong defender of our Second Amendment. That’s why I endorse Charlie Meier’s re-election. He truly is a citizen legislator, no problem too big or small for Charlie, if you have an issue you with state government, he’s here to help.” “While I’m fighting for you in Washington, Charlie Meier is fighting for you in Springfield,” said Congressman Rodney Davis. “Charlie has proven he’s not afraid to say no to Mike Madigan. I am proud to call Charlie Meier Southern Illinois’ State Representative which is why I support his re-election.” “I have served at the State House with Charlie Meier, he doesn’t back down when it comes to fighting for Southern Illinois,” said Congressman Mike Bost. “I have witnessed Charlie stand up to Chicago and Mike Madigan’s flawed agenda in Springfield. Charlie Meier is the clear choice to continue serving as Southern Illinois’ State Representative." Continue reading

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) filed legislation opposing any potential tax on the number of miles driven by Illinois motorists. A mileage tax placed on Illinois drivers continues to be a topic of discussion in the state legislature. According to State Rep. Charlie Meier, “A vehicle mileage tax is outrageous, it would impose undue hardship and disproportionately impact rural Illinoisans who must drive longer distances to work and school. A tax on miles driven places a burden on downstate motorists, a proposal I cannot and will not support.” Continue reading

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) will host traveling office hours in Troy on Thursday, February 1 to meet with constituents that have issues or questions concerning state government.“I enjoy scheduling traveling office hours to make it more convenient for residents in my district to meet with me. I look forward to visiting with residents in Troy on February 1,” said Rep. Meier.Rep. Meier will be available to meet with constituents from 1:30 pm to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, at Troy City Hall, located at 116 E. Market St.Traveling office hours are open to the public. Appointments are encouraged but not required, however scheduled meetings will take place in the order in which they were received. To schedule a meeting, please call 618-651-0405.

State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) is pleased to announce that eight school districts in the 108th legislative district have been awarded funds from the School District Library Grant Program.“This is great news for schools receiving the grant.” said Rep. Meier. “Over $11,000 have been awarded to eight schools in my district thanks to the School District Library Grant Program administered by the Secretary of State’s office.”The School District Library Grant Program is designed to help provide more library books and materials for the students of public schools in Illinois. The state legislature has authorized up to a $.75 per pupil expenditure for qualifying schools. The grant award is based on funds appropriated by the General Assembly and the official enrollment as of the previous September 30th of a school district. Continue reading

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino released an audit regarding the oversight of group homes for the developmentally disabled by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and it’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The audit released on December 21st contains a total of 13 recommendations to the OIG and DHS.“It’s horrific to hear the state confirm allegations of abuse and neglect have increased 50 percent over the past 8 years,” said Rep. Meier. “This is exactly why I continue to advocate for better oversight and care of our developmentally disabled. If we don’t speak up and advocate for change, then who will? I won’t give up fighting for our most vulnerable.”The Department of Human Services Act (Act) requires the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect that occur in mental health and developmental disability facilities operated by the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Act also requires the OIG to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect that occur in community agencies licensed, certified, or funded by DHS to provide mental health and developmental disability services.In FY17, DHS operated 14 State facilities. For FY17, there were also a total of 421 community agencies with 4,552 program sites (i.e., CILAs, group homes, day programs, etc.) that were under the investigative jurisdiction of the OIG. This represents an increase of 1,079 program sites since our FY10 audit or 31 percent. Continue reading

Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) filed legislation on Wednesday to repeal the recent 32 percent income tax hike. The current income tax rate in Illinois is 4.95 percent and 7 percent for employers. Rep. Meier’s bill would roll back the income tax to 3.75% on taxable income and 5.25% for employers. Meier’s legislation would reduce the tax burden placed on individuals and families while saving thousands of Illinois jobs. According to United Van Lines’ 41st Annual National Movers Study released on January 2nd, in 2017, more residents moved out of Illinois than any other state with 63 percent of moves being outbound. “Our state continues to lose population because of higher taxes and fewer jobs,” said Rep. Meier. “We need more jobs and less taxes in our state which is why I filed a bill to reduce taxes on individuals and businesses. I voted against the final bill which forced the recent 32 percent income tax hike onto Illinois taxpayers. The state must learn to live with less instead of reaching into the pocketbooks of working families and small businesses.” Continue reading