Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The assistant Illinois House Republican leader and 82nd District rep said pension reform should be Springfield's number one priority.
Assistant Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-82) issued a statement on Wednesday in response to Gov. Pat Quinn's 2014 budget address in which the governor chastized the legislature for failing to reform the state's underfunded public pensions system In a bit of bipartisan agreement, Durkin's statement echoed Quinn in pushing the need for pension reform: “The Governor’s Address is a harsh reality of failure to pass meaningful reforms in Illinois. A solution to the pension problem should have been wrapped up, sealed and sent to the governor last month. "We should have passed a comprehensive pension reform bill passed before today. There is nothing more important to the state’s fiscal integrity than meaningful pension reform, …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Western Springs legislator made good Wednesday on an earlier pledge, filing a bill that would eliminate the biennial “loophole” for passing legislation.
Illinois House District 82 Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) introduced House Bill 195 on Wednesday with the intent of ending the practice of passing bills with a simple majority right before a new General Assembly convenes. Every odd calendar year in Illinois, the “lame-duck” session occurs in early January before the new General Assembly is sworn in. It allows bills to be passed—and go into effect by June 1 of that year—with a simple majority, including votes from members who are about to end their terms and may not be returning. “These two factors, a lower standard and decreased constituent accountability, play into the appeal of using the lame-duck session as a way to move otherwise highly controversial legislation,” Durkin said in a…
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The Western Springs Republican (District 82) said that Illinois government is attempting to circumvent a thoughtful discussion on several controversial bills.
Illinois State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-82nd, Western Springs) is speaking out against some state lawmakers' attempts to pass new laws, including banning assault weapons and allowing same-sex marriage during Springfield's lame-duck session, The Doings Oak Brook reports. According to the paper, while Durkin has not yet stated clear support or opposition to either assault-weapons bans or same-sex marriage, he said that rushing bills through without extensive discussion and public input is unfair, and that he intends to sponsor a new bill "to prevent lame-duck session abuses." “I’ve had it with the 11th hour passage of bills which do not get the thorough vetting before the public and members of the legislature," the paper quoted Durkin as saying. "…
Monday, August 13, 2012
About 40 local and state organizations will take part in the health fair in Lemont on Wednesday.
State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and State Rep. Jim Durkin (R- Western Springs) are hosting a free Senior Health Fair on Wed., Aug. 15 featuring approximately 40 local and state participants. The event will be held on Wed., August 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lemont Park District’s CORE Fitness Center at 16028 127th Street in Lemont. Refreshments will be provided, and guests can take advantage of free heath screenings to assess hearing, grip strength and balance assessment, and to check blood pressure. Information will be available on a variety of topics including transportation and assisted living options, home and fire safety, and financial security—including how to save money on utilities. The State Treasure’s Office will also …
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The incumbent Republican representative defeated challenger Laura Reigle with 75 percent of the vote.
There will be a familiar face on the November ballot for the Illinois House’s 82nd District. Incumbent State Rep. Jim Durkin won the district’s Republican nomination with 75.4 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Laura Reigle. No one ran in the 82nd District Democratic primary, which means Durkin will be running unopposed in the general election, barring the appointment of a Democratic candidate. “We’ve got significant challenges ahead of us,” Durkin said Tuesday night. “I’m honored Republican voters in the 82nd District have confidence that I’m the best candidate to represent their interests in Springfield.” With the primary over, Durkin said the Illinois General Assembly now faces a month-and-a-half of tough discussions as they work…
Jim Durkin and Laura Reigle battle it out for the 82nd District Republican nomination. Check here throughout the night for updated results.
Updated: 10:15 p.m. Incumbent Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) faces off against challenger Laura Reigle in the race for the Republican nomination in the Illinois House 82nd District. The 82nd District includes parts of Darien, Woodridge, Lemont, Homer Glen, Western Springs, Burr Ridge and La Grange. Click here for a Q&A with Jim Durkin. Click here for a Q&A with Laura Reigle. For more election coverage, follow the Patch liveblog.
On election eve, State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and challenger Laura Reigle question whose platform more closely aligns with the Republican party.
It’s been relatively quiet in the 82nd District leading up to Tuesday’s Republican primary. But with hours left before the election, Illinois Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and his challenger Laura Reigle each took a swing at the others’ party loyalty. “My opponent has voted in the last three Democratic primaries, in years where Pat Quinn and Rod Blagojevich were at the top of the ballot,” Durkin said in a statement released Sunday night. “She claims to be a Republican but she still holds an elected Democratic committeeman position in Downers Grove Township and has been working to get Democrats elected for many years now.” Reigle disputed the statement Monday with a release of her own defending her position in the township. “Jim, in …
Friday, March 9, 2012
Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) wants to add an amendment to a new drug bill that would force people who seek medical help for a drug overdose to enter rehab within two weeks.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Radogno announced her support for Durkin, who is seeking re-election in the 82nd District.
Illinois Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) announced Monday her endorsement of State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) for re-election in Illinois' 82nd District. “Jim Durkin has been an exceptional state representative for our community and a great advocate for our Republican ideals in Springfield,” Radogno said in a news release. “He is a very effective legislator, who is respected in his role as Assistant Minority Leader and also responsive to constituents in the district." Durkin is running against Lemont resident Laura Reigle in the March 20 Republican primary. He has represented the 82nd district since 2006 and served as state representative for the 44th district from 1995 to 2002. The Illinois primary marks Reigle's first bid for …
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Mike Aurelio, president of the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education, announced his support for Durkin, who is running for re-election as state representative of Illinois' 82nd district.
Mike Aurelio, president of the Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A Board of Education, announced Monday that he is endorsing State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) for re-election in Illinois' 82nd District. “Jim is a trusted leader in the house and has routinely demonstrated his commitment to quality education and academic achievement,” Aurelio stated in a press release. “His record and passion for the issues facing our school district is second to none and we need him as our voice in Springfield.” Durkin is running against Lemont resident Laura Reigle in the March 20 Republican primary. He has represented the 82nd district since 2006 and served as state representative for the 44th district from 1995 to 2002. The Illinois …
Pension Truth
9:22 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
I missed another important truth: Politicians give outgoing executives HUGE raises to entice retirement. Not for the good of the organization but so they can appoint their own pals to the position. It doesn't cost the city a dime, but the added, unearned pension benefits are paid out by the fund. more ›