Farmland Assessment Meeting February 22 at 6:30 p.m.
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.
Southern Illinois GOP Congressman Endorse Rep. Charlie Meier’s Re-Election
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."
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Rep. Meier files bill to oppose vehicle mileage tax
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.”
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Rep. Meier to host traveling office hours in Troy on February 1
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.
Local schools to receive help with purchasing library books
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.
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Audit of OIG’s process of investigating fraud and abuse in group homes released
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.
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Rep. Meier files bill to reduce income tax
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.”
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Rep. Meier Co-Sponsors Bill to Oppose Public Funding of Obama Presidential Library
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) recently chief co-sponsored legislation (HR 627) opposing the use of an estimated $100 million in state tax dollars to fund the Obama Presidential Library in Illinois.“Our hard earned tax dollars in southern Illinois should not be used to fund the Obama Presidential Library in Chicago,” said Rep. Meier. “Obama should be able to raise enough private funds without having to rely on state tax dollars to fund a library touting his eight years in office. I can’t and will not support a bill in the General Assembly that funds the Obama library.”
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Rep. Meier sponsors resolution encouraging Amazon to call Illinois HQ2 home
Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) recently sponsored a resolution to welcome and encourage Amazon to consider locating their second company headquarters (HQ2) in Illinois.On September 7, 2017 Amazon announced plans to open a second company headquarters in North America known as HQ2. Amazon requested proposals from state and local governments for HQ2 and have received 238 proposals from state and local governments from throughout the North America, including multiple bids from Illinois and the St. Louis region.According to State Representative Charlie Meier, “I truly believe Illinois and the bi-state region can meet the needs of Amazon’s second headquarters. We have everything Amazon is looking for in terms of location to an International airport, railroads, public transit, roads and land for HQ2 to meet their needs and wants.”
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Rep. Meier Co-Sponsors ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act’
State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) co-sponsored the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” to prohibit units of government in Illinois from using taxpayer funds for elective abortions, reversing key provisions of the recently enacted House Bill 40.“I’m opposed to taxpayer funding of abortions and I support the right to life,” said Rep, Meier. “It is estimated that Illinois taxpayers could end up paying 75% of the state’s 40,000 annual elective abortions. The state can’t even pay its current bills, we should not spend $30 million in tax dollars on 30,000 abortions annually.”
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