Washington, Dec 13 – A Congressional subcommittee will hear testimony on Thursday from a panel of current and former homeless children as it examines government barriers that prevent many homeless youth from receiving housing assistance.

The Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity is examining how conflicting definitions of “homeless person” in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act make it more difficult for children and youth to obtain housing assistance. Passed by Congress in 1987, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act established federal homeless assistance programs and provided the first statutory definition of homeless persons.

Subcommittee Chairman Judy Biggert said, “Children living in shabby motels or jumping from couch to couch deserve help, too. Every child should have a safe place to sleep at night and a chance at a brighter future. That’s what this hearing is all about, and I hope my colleagues will listen closely to the stories these young witnesses, who have come from all over the country, will tell us.”

A study released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness says one in 45 children in the U.S. experience homelessness annually.

During the hearing the Subcommittee will also discuss H.R. 32, the Homeless Children and Youth Act, introduced by Chairman Biggert. H.R. 32 harmonizes the conflicting definitions of “homeless person” in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. As a result, H.R. 32 would not only increase the number of children and youth who could receive housing assistance and services, it would also allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development to more accurately estimate the number of homeless persons in the United States.

The case against the Democrats’ map
by Editorial Board

Did Democratic lawmakers shortchange Latino voters by drawing a new congressional map that includes only one Hispanic-majority district? Quite possibly. Did they cheat Republican voters by parceling them into districts to shrink their influence? Without a doubt.

Will their map be allowed to stand? Stay tuned.

A panel of federal judges is weighing Republicans’ claims that the map is both racially and politically gerrymandered. The judges could decide to OK the map, order up a new one, substitute a Republican alternative or draw their own.

[...]

Click here to read the rest of the editorial.

Federal court pushes back congressional candidate filing while Illinois map in dispute
by Rick Pearson

A federal judge today moved back the filing schedule for Illinois congressional candidates to late December while deliberations continue on a lawsuit challenging the state’s new U.S. House district boundaries.

The start date for filing candidate petitions was to begin next Monday. But U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow, one of three federal judges overseeing a Republican challenge to the Democratic-drawn boundaries, set Friday, Dec. 23, through Tuesday, Dec. 27, as the new filing period.

Lefkow also said that if the court hasn’t ruled on the lawsuit or if the boundaries are still in dispute by Dec. 21, it will ask lawyers for the state and the Republicans to try to reach agreement on extending the deadline further or recommend a new filing schedule.

[...]

Click here to read the entire article.

Biggert Joins Chicago Bears Matt Forte and Charles Tillman to Teach Financial Literacy
by Abby Milone

Chicago, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) gave Bolingbrook High School students an opportunity to put their financial literacy skills to the test yesterday with the help of Chicago Bears Matt Forte and Charles Tillman. Approximately 40 students played a fast-paced round of Financial Football, an educational video game incorporating the lessons taught through Practical Money Skills for Life, a financial education program sponsored by Visa.

“In today’s increasingly complex financial marketplace, it’s critically important that students enter the workforce with the knowledge and tools they need to make sound economic decisions, manage risk, and avoid financial pitfalls,” said Biggert, senior member of both the House Committees on Financial Services and Education and the Workforce. “Fun and engaging tools like Financial Football are a great way to help set today’s youth on the path to a more prosperous future as business leaders, entrepreneurs, and smart consumers. I’m thrilled to be joining Chicago Bears greats Matt Forte and Charles Tillman to coach the students at Bolingbrook High School in a friendly competition of Financial Football.”

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Click here to read the entire article.

Petition PA 97-14 IL11

Petition Fair IL13

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CIRCULATORS OF JUDY BIGGERT NOMINATING PETITIONS

1. Circulators must be 18 years of age or older, and citizens of the United States.

2. All signers, but NOT circulators, MUST be registered to vote at their residence addresses in the State of Illinois.

3. Circulators MAY NOT circulate petitions for more than one political party (e.g., circulating a petition for Republican JUDY BIGGERT for Representative in Congress and a Democrat for President, is prohibited). They MAY circulate petitions for more than one Republican candidate (e.g. JUDY BIGGERT for Representative in Congress and a Republican for President).

4. Signers MAY NOT sign petitions for more than one political party (e.g., signing a petition for Republican JUDY BIGGERT for Representative in Congress and a Democrat for President, is prohibited). They MAY sign petitions for more than one Republican candidate (e.g. JUDY BIGGERT for Representative in Congress and a Republican for President).

5. Circulators MAY sign (as petition signers) on any ONE page of the petition which may be the one they circulate.

6. All petition signers MUST sign in the presence and observation of the circulator.

7. Petition signers may NOT sign the petition more than once.

8. Petition signers MUST sign for themselves only. They MAY NOT sign for spouses, family members or others whether authorized or not.

9. Petition signers SHOULD sign their names as registered. (E.g., Margaret Smith is proper but Mrs. John Smith is not proper. Initials or nicknames are acceptable if consistent with the given name. “Ed” for Edward is acceptable, “Skip” for Edward is not!)

10. The petition signers SHOULD sign and not print their names unless their signature is always printed and that is the way they signed their voter’s registration card.

11. Blank spaces in the circulator’s affidavit SHOULD be completed with the exception of the page number. DO NOT NUMBER THE PETITION SHEETS!

12. Circulators MUST personally appear and sign the circulator’s oath before a notary public. If you need to find a Notary, please call us at 630-325-2002.

Romney: Online 7%, In-Person 35%

Cain: 15%, 29%

Paul: 66.5%, 8%

I had a great time visiting the polling places at the Downers Grove Township GOP Headquarters and the Lemont Township Community Center.  Below is a photo of me submitting my ballot.  For more photos, click here.

IL Presidential Straw Poll

Romney wins Hastert, Biggert endorsements
by Lynn Sweet

WASHINGTON–GOP White House hopeful Mitt Romney picks up two major Illinois endorsements Wednesday, from former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and Rep. Judy Biggert. On Tuesday, Romney won the backing of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

“I am happy to have the support of these important leaders in Illinois,” said Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. “I look forward to partnering with them in our efforts to get America back to work.”

[...]

Biggert said in a statement, “President Obama’s spend-tax-and-regulate policies have only served to drive up the debt and create more uncertainty for struggling American families and job creators. Mitt Romney’s plan to get America back to work is rooted not only in sound economic principles, but also in the extensive real-world experience that he brings to the table. I am proud to support him.”