After systematic abuse and fraudulent workers’ compensation claims cost the State of Illinois millions of dollars in waste, the Senate Executive Appointments Committee today voted on the nominations of a full, new slate of workers’ compensation arbitrators, advisory board members and commissioners during a hearing in Chicago. 

“The top priority of the new advisory board, arbitrators and commissioners is to ensure complete oversight and fairness for employers and employees are implemented in each case.” – Senator Michael Frerichs

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Senator Frerichs discusses his legislation to end the General Assembly Tuition Waiver program, often referred to as the General Assembly Scholarship program, with WICS Channel 20.

"I think there have been some examples of individuals not living in a representative's district receiving scholarships, and I think you see more and more of my colleagues opting out of this. They're not offering the scholarships. I think we've reached almost the point where more than half of representatives and senators don't offer them. I hope that's a good sign we'll be able to pass something this year," Frerichs told Channel 20.

Click here to read the press release about Senator Frerichs' bill, and click here to watch the full story on Channel 20.  

Senator Frerichs' resolution to designate February 17, 2012 as Agricultural Communications Day in Illinois passed the Senate Agriculture Committee today.

In 1961, "Agricultural Communications" was added as an academic major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The program continued to develop at the university and eventually led to the addition of seven new agricultural communications courses in the 1970s. Senator Frerichs points to the program as one of the major factors that created ties between U of I and the international community in issues of agriculture: 

“The creation of the Agricultural Communications department at the University of Illinois contributed to the university becoming a world-leader in agriculture,” Frerichs said.  “The Agricultural Communications Education program at the University of Illinois allowed department personnel and students to develop working partnerships with colleagues at universities in India, the Philippines, Australia, Pakistan, and the West Indies.”

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As the number of Illinois legislators deciding to opt out of awarding annual General Assembly scholarships continues to increase, Senator Frerichs has introduced a measure that would eliminate the scandal-ridden program.

Frerichs says, “I believe the program is beyond reform and I know that many of my colleagues feel the same.  We would prefer to just see the program eliminated.”

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In partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Senator Frerichs will be hosting a workshop focused on unemployment insurance issues for local businesses on Wednesday, February 15 at 8:30 am (registration at 8 am). Click below for more information, or call (217) 782-2507.