A bill that would create a funding source for diabetes research in Illinois is awaiting the signature of Governor Pat Quinn.

The bill, HB1815, creates a Diabetes Awareness license plate in Illinois, and according to the provisions of the bill, proceeds from the plates would be deposited into a fund specifically for research into the disease. State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), a Chief Co-Sponsor of the bill, said research is the key to finding a cure to Type I and II diabetes. “As a sufferer of Type II Diabetes, I know first-hand how diabetes can negatively impact a person’s life,” said Tryon. “It is a disease that crosses gender, race and all other demographics. Today there are 23 million people in the United States who suffer from Diabetes and that number is growing rapidly.”

If singed by the Governor, those wishing to have a diabetes awareness license plate would be charged a $40 fee on top of the traditional registration fees for special plates. From the fees, $25 from each application would be deposited into the Diabetes Research Check Off Fund. Those moneys would then be dispersed through the IL Department of Health as grants to research entities such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association.

“It is estimated that today there are 500,000 people out there who have Type II Diabetes but don’t know it,” said Tryon. “Perhaps, if some of these people see these new plates promoting Diabetes awareness, they will get checked and start taking steps to improve their health.”

Diabetes complications include blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke.

At a time when Illinois’ unemployment rate is second only to the State of Nevada and businesses continue to flee our state, the importance of creating a business-friendly climate in Illinois has never been more critical. Unfortunately, the majority party in Springfield has all but declared open season on Illinois businesses with a slew of anti-business bills that have passed in the House this year. As you will see, the bills that are passing are very union-friendly, but severely limit and penalize private businesses. As more and more business-unfriendly bills are approved, neighboring states like Indiana, Wisconsin and Kentucky become increasingly more attractive to Illinois business owners. Included in the list of bills that do nothing to improve the economic climate in Illinois are:

HB 922 – Extends the amount of time contractors must keep certain records like payroll records when they are engaging in “public works” (prevailing wage) projects from 3 years to 10 years. Opponents believe HB 922 generates an excessive amount of documentation for all public works project records. Most companies have limited storage space for certified payrolls, job files, personnel files, labor fringe benefit files, etc, and multiplying by over 3 the storage space needed to keep certified payrolls would be a hardship on any contractor as these certified payrolls require hard copies with original signatures.

The following is a Press Release from the White House Office of the Press Secretary regarding Federal Disaster Relief Funding being granted to Illinois counties severely affected by the recent flooding. McHenry and Kane Counties are included in the list of affected areas: