Dear Friend, 

As the Spring legislative session winds to its scheduled adjournment on May 31, much work remains to be done. However, this week an encouraging note of bipartisan compromise was struck as a funding mechanism was found to provide financial assistance to the state's many social and human services providers for the 1st time in the 11 month long budget impasse. 

The bill, SB 2038, provides $700 million in emergency funding for mental illness and mental health programs, housing, and medications. It contains funding for teen parent services and programs to reduce infant mortality.

Further funding items in SB 2038 include meals on wheels for senior citizens, funding for assistance for victims of sexual assault, autism research and awareness, veterans rehabilitation services, independent living centers, senior citizen health assistance programs, and funding for dental care for persons with disabilities.

We have a lot of work to do to get a full budget, but I am hopeful that the bipartisan compromise that was reached this week on these critical items is a sign of things to come as we approach the adjournment date of May 31.

Support for Illinois Coal - Press Conference 
I was happy to join a press conference with fellow southern Illinois legislators in support of Illinois coal at the Capitol this week. My husband’s father raised 7 children on a coal miner’s salary. Good paying jobs for southern Illinois are one positive aspect of coal, but coal is an important part of Southern Illinois’ history.

 I will be signing on to sponsor legislation to create an incentive program for companies regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission to put scrubbers on existing coal fired energy facilities that we have. This action would make Illinois much more competitive. Statistics show when Illinois burns clean coal it burns the hottest and cleanest, and Illinois coal is 3 times as powerful as coal mined in western states.

To view my comments during the press conference please click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmThHT61PA

Sportsman's Caucus Grants
As a member of the board of directors for the Illinois Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, I am proud to have awarded several grants on behalf of the Sportsman’s caucus to sporting organizations in the 115th district

This year I am very proud to be able to support young people involved in fishing and trapshooting clubs at southern Illinois high schools. The groups that received awards this year are all deserving of extra support, especially in these tough budget times.

Last week I awarded three $200 grants from the Illinois Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus to Trapshooting Teams at Trico High School, DuQuoin High School, and Pinckneyville High School last week. 

The money is granted by the Illinois Sportsman’s Caucus to help support the local clubs’ activities. No taxpayer dollars are used to
award the grants.

Pictured here with Rep. Bryant is Pinckneyville High School Principal Dustin Foutch

Terri presents a check to DuQuoin Trapshooting Team Coach Robert Huntley,

Terri presents a check to Trico High School's Trapshooting Coach and team, pictured L to R: Trap members Keegan Brooks, Jackson Doerner, Head Coach Chris Doerner and Rep. Terri Bryant.

Stay Connected!

As the campaign season begins, you will be receiving email from [email protected] You can always contact me there or you can now call my campaign office at 618-204-5868.

My legislative office in Mt. Vernon is staffed Monday through Friday and my legislative office  in Murphysboro is staffed Monday through Thursday, each from 8:30 to 4:00 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.