A Record of Accomplishment
"As I complete my first term as your Illinois State Representative in the 62nd legislative district, I have worked hard to represent your interests in Springfield . It's been an honor and privilege serving you." 


Advocating for Lake County Families:
As your State Representative, I have sponsored a comprehensive range of legislation that I call "Family Focus." These initiatives are designed to preserve & strengthen the quality of life for families in Lake County and across Illinois. They reflect my commitment to our families and represent many of my priorites as I continue to work fr you in Springfield.

My Family Focus initiatives include:
 Child Care Tax Credit  

House Bill 1242 provides income tax credit to cover start-up costs for businesses that provide child care services to their employees. Passed both House and Senate. Vetoed by the Governor. Veto overide by both House & Senate. Public Act 95-0648. Effective date 10/17/07 (Cole - Chief House Sponsor)

  Ovarian Cancer Screenings

  House Bill 1239 includes ovarian cancer screenings as one of the preventative health services offered by hospitals and other community health care centers. Passed both House and Senate. Governor approves. Public Act 95-0096. (Cole - Chief House Sponsor)

  Women’s Self-Preservation Classes

  House Bill 336 establishes a 3-year pilot program to make women’s self-preservation classes part of the high school curriculum. (Chief Co-Sponsor)

 Sex Offender Internet Identity

  Senate Bill 14 requires sex offenders to register all of their internet communication identities (such as e-mail addresses, instant messaging identities, etc.) and all blogs or websites registered to or used the sex offender as part of the offender’s required annual registration with their local law enforcement agency. Passed both House and Senate. Governor approves. Public Act 95-0229. Effective Date 8/127/07. (Cole - Chief House Sponsor & Campanion Bill Chief  House Sponsor HB0260)

 School Bus Safety

 Senate Bill 166 provides that every school district in Illinois have a policy in place by January 1, 2008 to ensure that the school bus driver is the last person to leave every school bus, and that no child is ever left behind or remains on the bus at the end of a route, a work shift, or a work day. Passed both House and Senate. Public Act 95-0260. Effective date 8/17/07. (Cole - Chief House Sponsor)

 Breast Ultrasound Screening

  Senate Bill 1365 mandates that every health insurance provider must provide coverage for a comprehensive breast ultrasound screening for women under 40 with a family history of breast cancer, prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors; making it easier and more affordable for women to receive the health care options they need. Passed both House and Senate. Governor approves. Public Act 95-0431. Effective date 8/24/07. (Cole - Chief House Sponsor)

 Encouraging Veterans Employment

  House Bill 1249 provides an income tax credit for businesses that employ veterans. (Chief Co-Sponsor)

  Mental Health Services for Veterans

 House Bill 579 establishes a two-year pilot program to provide community mental health services for veterans who do not qualify for mental health services under a federally funded or state funded program, and who do not otherwise have insurance coverage for mental health services. (Co-Sponsor)

Public Parks & Recreation
 House Bill 1240 appropriates $10 million to DNR to provide Open Space land grants for public parks & recreation. (Chief House Sponsor)

 Preserving Open Space

  House Bill 3390 reinstates $40 million into the Open Lands Trust Fund for the purpose of conservation of open land. (Chief House Sponsor)

 Standing up for Small Business:

I am proud to have stood with many of my colleagues in defeating the outrageous proposal to levy a burdensome Gross Receipts Tax on consumers and small businesses in Illinois. Such a tax would have had a devastating effect on our ability to attract and retain new jobs here in Lake County. A gross receipts tax placed upon small businesses and consumers would effectively drive jobs over the border into Wisconsin at a critical time when we need to spur local economic expansion and job growth here in our own communities.
 
 Instead of fostering an anti-business, anti-job climate in Illinois, I have taken the lead to promote entrepreneurship and job growth here in Lake County. One of the bills in my Family Focus legislative initiative, House Bill 1242, will provide an income tax credit to cover start-up costs for businesses that provide child care services to their employees. My bill is good for business, good for working parents, and supports a healthy balance between work and family. HB 1242 is now law (Public Act 95-0648) - passing both the House and Senate, vetoed by the governor, then received a unanimous overide vote from both the House and Senate.