Area Legislators Have Priorities for General Assembly Session

Local state representatives John Cavaletto and David Reis were sworn in to new terms in the Illinois House Wednesday, as was State Senator Kyle McCarter. All three were re-elected in November.

Reis, the 109th House District Representative from Ste. Marie, said the swearing-in of new governor Bruce Rauner earlier this week has brought "a new approach and new optimism" to tackling long-standing problems, including the economy and the jobs climate.

Cavaletto, the 107th House District Representative from Salem, said Illinois' "financial crisis" is a top priority. He said his eagerness to work with Rauner to reform the state's budget and spending policies is a goal along with a continued fight for educational opportunities for all Illinois children and a better environment for creating good jobs.

McCarter, the 54th District State Senator from Lebanon, reflected on why he wants to serve, with a goal to be fair on how people are treated by their government.

The other local legislator, 55th District State Senator Dale Righter, a Republican from Mattoon, is in mid-term. The budget is Righter's top priority, but other goals include fully funding the state's foundation formula for education, passing meaningful workers' compensation reform, and ending what he termed "overly-burdensome" regulations on job creators.