Sente Advocates for Disabled Illinoisans

Legislation aims for speedier timeframe for updating handicapped accessibility standards in Illinois’ public buildings.

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) would fast track the timeframe for public buildings in Illinois to meet or exceed federal accessibility standards established in 2012.  Illinois’ accessibility standards have not been changed since 1997. “At one time, Illinois was a leader in accessibility standards for persons with disabilities,” Sente said. “However, the Environmental Barriers Act has not been updated for over a decade, and we have fallen behind. I am proposing that we set a clear timetable for these updates with the goal of comparing our guidelines with the most recent version of the Americans with Disabilities Act and determining where Illinois wishes to mirror the federal law and where we wish to be more…

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Sente Encourages Students to Enter Google Contest

The Doodle 4 Google contest will award a college scholarship and a grant for the winner's school.

State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) encourages local students to take part in Google’s “Doodle 4 Google” contest for the opportunity to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. “Education is critically important to securing a successful future for our children,” Sente said. “Doodle 4 Google offers a fun way for our students to showcase their creative abilities and compete for a chance to have their artwork seen by millions of people.” Google doodles are the fun versions of the Google logo that appear on the Google homepage throughout the year in celebration of special events and people. This year’s theme is “My Best Day Ever” Students can submit doodles until March 22. Winners from each state …

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Sente's Hearing to Address Youth Football Safety Topics

Community members are invited to attend this Feb. 25 public meeting.

In response to increasing awareness of the dangers of concussions and brain injuries triggered by school sports, State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) will host a public hearing on the matter to learn more about local high school policies, hear testimonies from health care experts and athletic professionals, and discuss her newly filed House Bill 1205 on this topic. The hearing will take place from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 25 at Vernon Hills High School. “The Illinois General Assembly passed landmark concussion legislation two years ago,” Sente explained. “While that bill was a strong starting point, I believe there is much more we need to do to prevent temporary and permanent brain injuries in our young athletes. Professional and college football …

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Sente to Chair New Economic Development Committee

State Rep. Carol Sente said the committee "will focus on helping to get more individuals back to work."

State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) will be enter her third term in the Illinois House of Representatives as chairperson of the newly formed committee on Business Growth and Incentives. “With the 98th General Assembly approaching, I am happy to announce that I am the chairperson of a new committee related to economic development,” Sente said. “My Business Incentives and Growth committee will focus on helping to get more individuals back to work, helping small and mid-sized businesses locate, grow, and prosper in Illinois, evaluating our disparate tax incentive program, and working with federal, state and local partners to strengthen our economy.” With 27 years of management experience in the business sector and 10 years as president …

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Letters to the Editor

There's 'No Question' in Mathias' Leadership

Letter to the editor

Sid Mathias is an independent, thoughtful representative who deserves your vote for re-election.  He has the guts to disagree with his party on issues important to him and his constituents. There is no question that he advocates for fiscal responsibility and has been fighting for a true balanced State of Illinois budget. He is for quality education in our schools, and is a sponsor of legislation to reduce our taxes. Mathias is opposed to increasing our property taxes by shifting the State's obligation to fund teacher pensions to local school districts. There is no question that he has earned the respect and praise of  surrounding  Village Mayors such as  Braiman and Hartstein of Buffalo Grove, Byrne of Vernon Hills, Mulder of Arlington Hts…

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Farm Bureau Endorses Candidates

The Lake County Farm Bureau, based in Grayslake, has released a list of candidates it endorses for federal, state and county races in the Nov. 6, 2012, election.

The Lake County Farm Bureau Political Involvement Committee recently held candidate interviews in contested U.S., State and County Board races and endorsed candidates. “For over 30 years, the Lake County Farm Bureau has actively participated in the electoral process by interviewing, endorsing and providing PAC funding to candidates who understand the importance of agriculture in Lake County and campaign on a platform to help farmers, landowners and those involved in the agricultural industry,” said Gregory Koeppen, Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director. “As an organization, we have 13,587 local members and statewide we boast over 420,000 members. Our endorsements are reflective of the desire of our members to continue to insure …

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2012 Libertyville-Vernon Hills Election Central

We want to make sure you've got everything you need before hitting the voting booth Nov. 6. Check back here for information on the upcoming election and a breakdown of every race with links to candidate profiles and all Patch political coverage.

Patch will provide coverage of each of the races that's important to Libertyville and Vernon Hills readers on the race page listed above. Patch editors will also be liveblogging the presidential candidate debates. Check back here for live links to our liveblogs during the Oct. 3 presidential debate on domestic policy, the Oct. 16 presidential town hall and the Oct. 22 debate on foreign policy. A list of Libertyville Patch and Vernon Hills Patch's full election coverage is available. A political page is also available. Join the conversation: Read Patch's political polls to see how your neighbors feel about regional and national politics.

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Sente-Sponsored Veterans Legislation Signed into Law

New law increases funding for veteran employment programs.

State Rep. Carol Sente’s (D- Vernon Hills) proposal to increase funding for veteran employment programs was signed into law on July 4. “Veterans sacrifice so much for our freedoms and when they come back from duty they often face higher unemployment rates and joblessness,” Sente said in a statement. “We need to focus on ensuring that veterans are getting the employment training opportunities they deserve so they can translate their skills towards employment.”  Senate Bill 3689, sponsored by Sente, allows revenue from the Veteran’s Cash instant scratch-off lottery game be used for veteran employment and employment training in addition to its current uses. Currently, the revenues are deposited in the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund and are…

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