Senator John Sullivan

Illinois Lawmakers Respond to Gun Law Ruling

Scott Stuntz — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:20:07 +0000

A federal appeals court is giving the Illinois Legislature 180 days to create a concealed carry law. It cited the Second Amendment in striking down the state’s ban on carrying concealed weapons in public.

One western Illinois lawmaker believes the legislature can meet a court-ordered deadline to create a concealed carry law.

Democrat John Sullivan - 47th District State Senate

Rich Egger — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:58:55 +0000

The incumbent for an Illinois Senate seat in western Illinois is John Sullivan (D-Rushville). He is completing his third term in the Senate.

Sullivan said progress has been made during his time in the Legislature but there is more to do, which is why he is running for a fourth term.

Sullivan said NTN Bower in Macomb and Farmland Foods in Monmouth have expanded while he's been in office and Pella brought a new plant to Macomb. He said the state offers job creation incentives and he's worked to make sure some of that money has come to his district.

In The Tri States

Rich Egger — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 20:09:11 +0000

A look back at the top stories and features from the Tri States Public Radio news department from August 2012.

During the month, State Senator John Sullivan of Rushville announced he would take a brief leave to be treated for a rare form of cancer, voters went to the polls in Burlington and in northeast Missouri, and Bushnell's mayor announced he would not run for another term.

Frese Blames Pension Crisis on Leadership Gap

Rich Egger — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 23:53:35 +0000

Republican Illinois State Senate candidate Randy Frese of Paloma said the state's pension problems are a sign of broken government, which he said was caused by a lack of leadership.

Frese said the pension reform program in Rhode Island could serve as a template for Illinois. He said Rhode Island raised the retirement age, froze the cost of living adjustment (COLA), and implemented a 401K style plan. Frese said the state did so long before it got into a financial hole as deep as the one in Illinois.

Successful Surgery for Senator Sullivan

Rich Egger — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:54:40 +0000

Illinois State Senator John Sullivan's office says he underwent successful cancer surgery.

Sullivan’s doctors say they were able to completely remove the liposarcoma. They do not recommend any further treatment such as chemotherapy.

Sullivan announced on August 19 that he would undergo the procedure and would be away from his full-time duties for two or three weeks. Sullivan also said he had a small growth removed from his lower abdomen four years ago.

Cancer Scare for Illinois Senator John Sullivan

Rich Egger — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:56:49 +0000

Illinois State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said he will take a leave of absence to be treated for a rare form of cancer.

Sullivan said he has liposarcoma. It's a type of cancer that creates a slow growing, painless mass that is usually found in the fat cells of the legs, though it can also be found in the arms, chest, neck, and in the space behind abdominal organs.

Sullivan's office recommends checking the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative website for more information about the cancer.

Sullivan Opposes Pension Reform Plan

Rich Egger — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:29:18 +0000

Democratic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) support a proposal to shift the pension funding burden from the state to local school districts.

But State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said there are good reasons to oppose the plan.

“It's a triple whammy for the districts,” Sullivan said. He pointed out:

1) Local districts would be burdened with the responsibility for a major expense.

2) State financial support for school districts continues to decline.

Senator Anticipates Medicaid Cuts

Jason Parrott — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:53:29 +0000

State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) says everything is on the table when it comes reforming Medicaid in Illinois.

Governor Pat Quinn proposed a $2.7-billion dollar cut to the program in his budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Sullivan told a crowd of 50 during a town hall meeting in Hamilton that some savings can be found through the scaling back of programs and the elimination of waste and fraud.

State Faces Hard Choices for Budget Reform

James Lenz — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:16:23 +0000

In his budget address, Governor Pat Quinn, said three-quarters of Illinois' pension burden is for people who don't work for the state. It covers some of the pension costs for teachers and others who are employees of local government bodies.

State Senator John Sullivan (D-47) said the state must bring all the stakeholders to the negotiating table to find a long-term solution to funding pensions.