SPRINGFIELD – When US Steel announced last March it was going to temporarily idle its Granite City plant, Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) reacted quickly by filing a Senate resolution urging the president and Congress to review the national tariff policy on steel goods.

While the Granite City plant was able to avoid a temporary idle in May, bad news was delivered to the families across the Metro East just in time for the holiday season. The plant announced the temporary layoff of 2,000 workers. Senator Haine released the following statement:

“This is catastrophic,” Haine said. “I cannot emphasize enough how important the steel industry is to the Metro East, Illinois and the United States. The Granite City plant has been in the area for generations. If this plant closes I cannot imagine the negative impact it would have. Congress must do something to stop the dumping of Chinese steel into the American market. I am yet again calling on Congress and the president to do something about this. These trade practices are unfair and they result in Americans losing important, quality jobs.”

SPRINGFIELD – As schools across the Metro East wrap up the school year, State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) supported a $7 billion state education funding plan that would allow schools to open on time for the next school year unless Gov. Bruce Rauner rejects the plan.

Additionally, Haine has consistently been a strong supporter of higher education, and continued his support this week by voting against a proposed funding cut to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

“The possible cuts that could occur under the governor’s plan are disturbing,” Haine Said. “His plan uses what appears to be a small increase in education as a mask for the proposed elimination of state funding for agricultural education, advances placement classes, foreign language instruction and other key curriculum components.

“Today, however, we had a win. With this measure we hope we can convince Governor Rauner to revisit his priorities and promise to better fund our schools and make Illinois more compassionate and competitive.”

he measure passed in the Illinois Senate today would save school funding and allow schools to stay open and provide quality education.

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) passed a bill on the Senate floor on Tuesday that makes permanent a sales tracking program used by law enforcement to combat meth production.

Read more ...