FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2018 
CONTACT: Rep. Terri Bryant - [email protected]

Terri Bryant Says Paul Jacobs’ New TV Ad is Blatant Lie
Chicago Super PAC Coordinating with Jacobs Campaign to Run Misleading Attack Ads

Murphysboro, IL – State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is fighting back against false claims Paul Jacobs is making about Illinois’ new school funding reform law.

Jacobs is backed by Liberty Principles PAC, a Chicago-based ‘dark money’ Super PAC. In fact, Jacobs has taken hundreds of thousands in campaign support from the Chicago based Super PAC. The cash is being used to launch a disgusting new attack ad against Terri Bryant, which falsely characterizes her vote for Senate Bill 1947, the new Evidence-Based Funding Model for Illinois schools.

“Paul Jacobs and his Chicago political backers are attacking my support of the new school funding reform law despite the fact that Paul Jacobs’ own website says that passing SB 1947 was a ‘step in the right direction’,” Bryant said. “This is the kind of political double-talk you could only learn in a Chicago political boss’ media training session.”

Bryant says the tone of Jacobs’ campaign has been almost completely negative. She says Jacobs has provided very little in the way of specifics on his own platforms, instead choosing to run a negative ad campaign using Chicago provided campaign money.

“My opponent’s campaign has sunk to a new low with this latest negative and false attack on my record,” Bryant said. “I am proud to have supported SB 1947. It provides more than $5 million in new State funding for schools in the 115th district. This is not some Chicago bailout. It’s record funding for our schools. It means smaller class sizes, all day Kindergarten, and overall better outcomes for students. Paul Jacobs should be ashamed of himself for opposing this desperately-needed education funding reform law and for his Chicago-style double-talk on this issue. The only thing that’s worse than his flip flop on this issue is that he is now playing politics with our kids’ education. It is just shameful, but that’s the type of campaign he’s chosen to run. It’s unfortunate.”

Senate Bill 1947 (Public Act 100-465) creates a new Evidence-Based Funding Model for Illinois public schools. The new law was the result of years of negotiations and was supported by a broad coalition of education advocacy groups. The new funding model places Illinois school districts into tiers based on local resources and total need. Tier 1 districts receive 50 percent of all new funding the State allocates to K-12 education in FY 2018.

Under, SB 1947, the evidence-based model, here is a breakdown of projected funding increases for schools in the 115th district:
• Murphysboro CUSD186 will receive over $820,000 in new funding for a total of $10.3 million.
• Mt. Vernon high school and elementary schools will receive more than $1 million in combined new funding for a total of more than $12.3 million.
• Schools outside of the city of Mt. Vernon in Jefferson County will also receive a combined total of more than $1 million in new funding.
• Cobden, Anna, Jonesboro, and Shawnee school districts will take in more than $600,000 in new funding bringing Union County schools total to more than $9.7 million in State support.

Here is screen shot proving Paul Jacobs supports SB 1947 from his own campaign website as of February 22, 2018 at www.jacobsforillinois.com/issues

Dear Friend,

This week in Springfield, Governor Rauner addressed another joint session of the legislature as he laid out a plan for a state budget for fiscal year 2019. I was encouraged that the proposed budget includes money for operations for the Murphysboro correctional facility.

Staff members are already in place at the facility receiving training, and it is expected that the minimum security prison and re-entry facility will be fully operational next month. As I have previously stated, the reopening and repurposing of the facility means good paying jobs for our region and it will provide a means for lessening the burden on our overcrowded prisons throughout the state.

In 2015, I stood in front of the shuttered IYC for a press conference to announce that I had introduced legislation aimed at reopening it. Next month, the building will reopen and eventually create 100 good paying jobs for hard working southern Illinoisans.

NEWS LINKS ON MURPHYSBORO REOPENING!
The Citizen Tribune: Murphysboro Re-entry Center set to open

WSIU Radio -  Rep. Terri Bryant Says Staff Start Moving in to Former IYC Murphysboro on Feb. 16

Governor’s Budget Address Reaction - Bryant Says Budget Address is Just First Step    

Springfield....State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued the following statement in reaction to Governor Bruce Rauner’s budget address on Wednesday.

“Today’s budget address is the jumping off point for what I hope will be a fruitful next few months of negotiations. The most important thing we do as legislators is pass balanced budgets that reflect the priorities of our constituents.

Last year, when I voted to pass the first balanced budget in more than two years, I said at the time that passing a budget was just the start. Illinois must remain on a very tight, very strict fiscal diet going forward if we are to overcome the challenges of rising costs and past due bills.

In addition to fiscal restraint, Illinois must grow its economy by enticing companies to locate in Illinois to take advantage of our wealth of natural resources, our world class institutions of higher learning, and our skilled and dedicated work force. The key to economic growth is for Illinois to get the boot off the neck of the job creators and enact policies that help us be competitive with our neighboring states.

Throughout the next several months, I will work with my colleagues in the House to craft a budget that reflects the priorities of Southern Illinoisans, abides by wise fiscal policy, and enacts economic policy that will help grow good paying jobs for the hard-working families.”

####

WJPF Radio Interview
I had a great discussion with Tom Miller of WJPF’s Morning NewsWatch on Friday. We talked about the current state of Illinois’ financial picture, our political environment, the Governor’s budget address, and why I am the best candidate to serve the 115^th district in Springfield. The Primary Election is heating up, and as we move closer to election day, I would encourage you to check out my website at www.bryantforillinois.com to stay up to date on the latest news.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH TOM MILLER OF WJPF RADIO

Cheap Chicken Dinner Fundraiser Coming Up Next Week!

Coming up on Sunday, February 25, 2018 I'll host my 3rd Annual Cheap Chicken Dinner at the DuQuoin American Legion from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are only $10 per person and kids under 12 eat FREE! This is a great way to get a cheap family dinner and show your support for my re-election campaign. There will be door prizes and plenty of food for everyone. I look forward to seeing you there.

You can RSVP by visiting the event page on Facebook by clicking here or call Carolyn at 618-559-4997 or email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected!

My office in Mt. Vernon is open Monday through Friday and my office in Murphysboro is open Monday through Thursday, each from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also contact me directly through the Contact Form on my official website at www.repbryant.com - or visit www.bryantforillinois.com for the latest endorsements in the race for 115th district State Representative.

Your opinions on important topics facing the State of Illinois are invaluable to me. Keep them coming!

Sincerely, 

Terri Bryant
State Representative - 115th District

Murphysboro….State Representative Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) has announced her intention to run for re-election to the 115th district State Representative seat she has held since 2015. Bryant says her time in office has been a challenging but highly rewarding experience, and expressed her gratitude to the people of Southern Illinois for their continued support.

“I’m happy to announce that I am running for re-election as 115th District State Representative,” Bryant said. “I came into office during a very challenging time in our State’s history. I am proud to have been a part of some of the solutions that are helping to right our financial ship of state, but there is a lot more work to do.”

Since taking office, Representative Bryant has passed several bills into law, including 6 in just her first full term in office. Bryant was the chief sponsor of “Molly’s Law”, which provides support and resources to the families of victims of violent crimes. She is also a member of the Sportsmen’s Caucus, and was recently named its vice-chair. Bryant says she has fought hard for conservative values in Springfield and vows to continue her commitment to pro-life issues and the protection of 2nd Amendment rights.

“I’ve fought Mike Madigan and his political machine for 3 years and I’m not going to stop now,” Bryant said. “I voted NO on a job crushing $15 an hour minimum wage proposal, I voted NO on taxpayer funded abortion, I voted NO every time the Chicago gun grabbers ran bills trying to undermine our 2nd Amendment rights, and I voted NO on Mike Madigan for Speaker of the House. I am proud of my record of standing up against the radical liberal agenda and will continue to fight for Southern Illinois values in my next term.”

As for her priorities in a new term, Bryant says economic growth must be Illinois’ number one focus.

“Southern Illinois is home to a wealth of natural resources, road, rail, and waterways, and a world class economic and research engine at SIU in Carbondale,” Bryant said. “As State Representative, I’ll fight to make our schools better, protect our individual freedoms, and grow good paying jobs so we can keep our young people here in Southern Illinois. We have to grow if we’re going to solve the problems we are facing. The good news is we have the tools to do it, but we have to enact policies that will make our state more attractive to job creators.”

Rep. Bryant recently voted to pass Illinois’ first full budget in more than two years, ending a historic and crippling budget stalemate that threatened to make Illinois the first state in the nation to ever be categorized as a ‘junk-bond’ status state. Bryant’s budget vote also helped SIU avoid the loss of its national accreditation She also recently voted for historic education funding reform. The changes in the new education funding formula will result in record funding for K-12 schools in the 115th district.

Representative Bryant resides in Murphysboro with her husband Rick. She is the mother of two adult children and a grandmother of 4.

####

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Terri Bryant P.O. Box 363, Murphysboro, IL 62966 – www.BryantforIllinois.com
A copy of our report is (or will be) available on the Illinois State Board of Elections Website.

What a week in Southern Illinois!
This past Monday, Southern Illinois enjoyed the first total solar eclipse to be viewable from coast to coast in the United States in 99 years. 

Massive crowds descended upon the region to view this marvel of our universe. I was blessed to invite friends to my house in Murphysboro, where totality could be seen for more than 2 minutes. It was, to say the least, an amazing way to start this busy week. I want to take  a moment to thank all the city and county officials, Mayors, Police, Fire and Emergency Services, SIU President Randy Dunn and his entire team, and all the volunteers that stepped up to make this once in a lifetime event a tremendous success.

Here is the picture I was able to capture of the totality. Amazing!

Union County Fair
I was very happy to once again share time and fun with friends and neighbors at the Union County Fair. This year I was busy buying animals at the Annual 4H Auction. This year, I bought the sheep you see below from Colton Clauson and the steer from Abigail Dahmer. Congratulations to these hard working young people. They have a bright future in agriculture!

DuQuoin State Fair Kicks Off Friday Night

The 2017 DuQuoin State Fair kicked off on Friday with the Annual Twilight Parade and celebrity milking contest. I am proud to represent DuQuoin in Springfield. The DuQuoin State Fair is a major economic driver for our region. Please enjoy some photos from yesterday's festivities! Thank you to everyone that came out to support me and walk with me in the parade. Also, I want to encourage anyone that has not been to the fair in a while to get come out and enjoy the awesome food vendors, great rides, and star studded grandstand entertainment. This year's DuQuoin State Fair will be one to remember. You can learn more about what's going on at the fair this year by CLICKING HERE










Pinckneyville Library Celebrates 100th Anniversary!

Also on Friday, I stopped in at the Pinckneyville Public Library to help them celebrate their 100th anniversary. I am pictured below with Pinckneyville Mayor Robert Spencer and the Director and Board members of the library. Congratulations and here's to another 100 years!

{{ broadcaster.name }}
{{ settings.site.full_url }}

Dear Friend,

As 2016 draws to an end, we look forward to a new year destined to shape of the political course of our country and our state. I want to invite you to please follow all the upcoming legislative action at my website www.RepBryant.com and be sure to leave me feedback on the site's Contact Form 

My New Year's Resolution is to continue bringing you updates on the happenings in Springfield and to continue representing the people of Southern Illinois to the best of my ability. There are some important dates coming up in January, including inauguration and the beginning of the 100th Illinois General Assembly.

Inauguration January 11, 2017

On January 11, 2017 the 100th General Assembly of the State of Illinois will take the oath of office. A swearing in ceremony will take place on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield. I will post photos and share information on the election of House leaders and much more. I look forward to raising my right hand and swearing to defend the Constitution of Illinois and the Constitution of the United States. It is my honor and privilege to serve as your State Representative.

New Laws 2017

On January 1, 2017, a significant number of new laws will take effect. For those wishing to catch up on the coming changes, the Illinois House Republican Caucus Blog has detailed explanations on 26 new laws that reflect significant changes.

A Look Ahead - Stopgap Budget Expires Dec. 31

Our State's fiscal condition is at an all time low, and the stopgap budget passed in June runs out as the New Year begins. Funding for Pre-K through 12th grade education will continue through the end of the fiscal year, but many critical services will be facing the prospect of no funding. The budget crisis in Illinois needs to come to a resolution immediately. I will continue to push both sides of the aisle to come together to pass a balanced budget to ensure critical state services continue uninterrupted.

STAY CONNECTED!

My office in Mt. Vernon is staffed Monday through Friday and my office in Murphysboro is staffed Monday through Thursday, each from 8:30 to 4:30 PM. You can find me on Facebook to keep up with my travels throughout the district. You can email me directly at [email protected] or send me a message through the contact form on my website at www.repbryant.com

Your opinions on important topics facing the State of Illinois are invaluable to me. Keep them coming!