News
News from 2011
Senator Harmon's Statement on the Governor's ComEd Veto - September 12, 2011 - "By vetoing this bill, the Governor paves the way for common sense legislation that can allow for electric grid modernization, while providing true safeguards for Illinois' consumers. See Senator Harmon's full statement.
Governor Quinn Signs Harmon-sponsored Election Reform Legislation - July 5, 2011 - This Fourth of July, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a new bill into law that will make the democratic process more accessible to the state's residents, especially in terms of voting and the bureaucratic process, by simplifying the state's election code. Read coverage from Yahoo! News.
Senator Harmon's Statement on Governor Quinn Signing Legislation Abolishing the Death Penalty - March 9, 2011 - "I believe that abolition of the death penalty acknowledges the fundamental progress of our civilization as Illinois joins numerous other states which have recently elected to abolish the death penalty." - Senator Don Harmon. Read the full statement.
Governor Pat Quinn Appoints Senator Harmon to Commission to End Hunger - March 2, 2011 - "There has been no more significant example of need during the current economic conditions than the dramatic increase in food assistance. I was proud to sponsor the legislation creating the Commission to End Hunger, and it is my hope that the work of the commission will provide solutions to the Governor and legislature to make certain no Illinoisan goes to bed hungry," Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). See the Governor's release. See Senator Harmon's release.
Senator Don Harmon's Statement on School Consolidation Legislation - March 1, 2011 - "My colleagues and I understand that school consolidation is a sensitive issue, one that may make a great deal of sense in some circumstances, and make very little sense in others. We need to be sure that any proposal that advances can tell the difference between the two." Read the full statement.
Senator Harmon speaks at Chicago 'Rally to Restore the American Dream' - February 26, 2011 - Illinois state Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said "working families are being punched in the gut. Make no mistake about it, this is a coordinated, synchronized, nationwide attack on working families and the unions that represent them." Read the full article from CBS Chicago. Article with video.
Senator Harmon recieves Legislative Champion Award from Illinois YMCAs - February 14, 2011 - "The YMCA Legislative Champion Award is given to state legislators who have lead a statewide policy effort that enables YMCAs to continue their mission..." Read the full article from the Chicago Tribune.
Senator Don Harmon's Statement on the Governor's Revenue Plan - January 18, 2011 -
"On January 12, 2011, the General Assembly acted decisively to stabilize Illinois government, save hundreds of thousands of jobs, curb reckless spending, and pay our past-due bills." Read the full statement.
Senator Don Harmon's Statement on the passage of abolition of the Death Penalty - January 11, 2011 - "In my eight years in the Illinois General Assembly, there have been few issues with which I have wrestled to this degree. Our state has come breathtakingly close to executing innocent people." Read the full statement.
News from 2010
Senator Don Harmon's Statement on the passage of Civil Unions legislation - December 1, 2010 - Today the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 1716, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. I am proud to have sponsored and voted for this bill, which affords basic rights, such as estate planning, healthcare decision making, and hospital visiting privileges, to thousands in Illinois who don't have those rights today. See the full statement.
Harmon-sponsored legislation bans discriminatory credit checks in hiring - May 5, 2010 - Harmon says many people lost their jobs during the recession and in many cases, that affected a person's credit history. He says they should not be punished because a bad credit score would disqualify them from a job. Harmon says employers cannot discriminate based on race or sex, and a credit score shouldn't be any different. Coverage from WGIL Radio Galesburg.
Harmon fights legislation classifying tire burning as renewable energy - May 4, 2010 - Senate lawmakers tonight shot down a proposal backed by a south suburban incinerator that would add tire burning to the state's definition of green, renewable energy. "That is not renewable energy," said Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. "I think this is a backwards step." Coverage from the Chicago Tribune. Coverage from FOX Springfield. Coverage from Illinois Statehouse News.
Coalition to Save Community Banking Holds Press Conference on Foreclosure Crisis - April 14, 2010 - CSCB holds a press conference to discuss the lack of response on loan modifications, leading to foreclosures in Austin and the near western suburbs. Senator Harmon was represented by Chief of Staff Robert Baren. See the video.
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial: They're cute -- till they rip your face off - April 6, 2010 - Given what bad pets chimps eventually make, it's a little sad laws are even necessary to keep people from doing it. But, as we say, chimps are real cute when they are young, which is when people buy them -- before they become King Kong. This legislation is sponsored by Senator Harmon in the Senate. Coverage from the Sun-Times. Read the legislation.
Tiny Knox College Stands Tall at Commencements - April 2, 2010 - In the case of Mr. [Barack] Obama, Mr. [Roger] Taylor enlisted Chuck Smith, a Chicago lawyer, and State Senator Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, both Knox alumni. Mr. Smith said he phoned Mr. Obama to clinch the engagement as time was running out. "I can't have you, [John] Podesta and Harmon all mad at me," he recalled Mr. Obama saying, in accepting the offer. Coverage from the New York Times.
Harmon Resolution Moves to House, Urges Congress to Continue Park National Bank Sale Investigation - March 31, 2010 - State Senator Don Harmon's (D-Oak Park) joint resolution regarding a Congressional investigation into Park National Bank's sale passed the Illinois Senate late last week. The resolution urges the United States House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to hold hearings to investigate the FDIC's seizure of Park National Bank and the impact this action will have on the communities that the bank served. Read more. Coverage at the Oak Park Journal.
Harmon: Pension Reform, System Stabilization Generate Billions in Savings, Bond Rating Stability - March 25, 2010 - "This dramatic reform will stabilize our public retirement systems, protect benefits for current retirees and employees, and boost our state's economic viability," said Senator Harmon. "Our system has been severely underfunded, and these reforms will save Illinois taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 30 years." Read more.
Harmon Resolution on Seizure of FBOP/Park National Bank Passes Committee - March 17, 2010 - A resolution requesting Congress further investigate the circumstances surrounding the siezure of the community-based FBOP Corp. passed the Senate Financial Institutions Committee unanimously. Read more. See the resolution. Coverage from the Wednesday Journal.
Harmon and Assessor Ali ElSaffar Testify on Reassessment Property Tax Cap - March 17, 2010 - Senator Don Harmon and Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar, President of the Cook County Township Assessors' Association, testify on property tax reassessment caps. Read more.
Report on Coalition to Save Community Banking Meeting - March 13, 2010 - The purpose of the meeting was to update attendees on a situation that has caused outcry throughout Oak Park and Chicago's West Side since federal regulators seized Park National Bank... Coverage from ChicagoTalks.org.
Harmon Responds to Governor's Budget Address - March 10, 2010 - State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) wants his constituents to be prepared for difficult budget realities and to discount partisan rhetoric following Governor Pat Quinn's Fiscal Year 2011 budget address in Springfield. Senator Harmon commented after hearing the Governor's budget address this afternoon. Read more.
Harmon Bill Creates Commission to End Hunger in Illinois - March 4, 2010 - Senate bill 3158 establishes a Commission to End Hunger under the Department of Human Services toward the goal of addressing rising hunger in Illinois. Read more .
Harmon: OPRF Food Pantry Receives Grant from AT&T - March 3, 2010 - The OPRF Food Pantry received a $5000 grant from AT&T. Senator Harmon nominated the OPRF Food Pantry for the award, which serves the western suburbs and far west side of Chicago with emergency food aid. Coverage from Pioneer Press (Oak Leaves). Coverage from the Wednesday Journal.
PCC Wellness Center Opens Clinic in the 39th Distict - March 3, 2010 - Senator Harmon was joined by US Senator Dick Durbin, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Mayor Richard Daley, Representative Deborah Graham and many others at the opening of the new PCC Wellness Center in the Austin Community. Coverage from the Austin Weekly News. Coverage from the Wednesday Journal.
Q & A with Senator Harmon on the 2010 Legislative Session - February 8, 2010 - Senator Don Harmon is featured in a Q & A on the 2010 Legislative session. See it here.
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