Say “No” to MORE Gas Taxes!

If you oppose the Democrat’s plan to raise the gas tax please download, sign and distribute this petition.

Click on the image to download the "Gas Tax" Petition.

For further information, contact Representative Cavaletto’s district office at 618-548-9080.

General Assembly Scholarships Available for 107th District Residents

2/24/2009

Springfield, IL….Representative John Cavaletto announced Tuesday that eight General Assembly Scholarships will be awarded by his district office in Salem.  Everyone that qualifies is invited to apply.  To be eligible to receive this scholarship, an individual must reside in the 107^th House Legislative District, be accepted at one of the states public universities as a full-time student, and show evidence of activity in public and civic affairs.

Both graduate and undergraduate-level students are eligible.  However, all scholarships are for one year only.  Students may apply as many years as they would like.

Applicants may apply for the following:

A one-year scholarship (including tuition and some fees) to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago State University and Governors State University.  A one-year scholarship (tuition, but no fees) to the University of Illinois, any campus or school. 

To be considered for the General Assembly scholarship a qualifying applicant must submit a completed application form as well as official transcripts of all high school and college work and three letters of recommendation.  All comments and information received will be kept confidential.  Application forms are available at Representative Cavaletto’s District Office at 1370 West Main, Suite A in Salem and will be sent to all district high schools.  The application deadline is April 1, 2009.

Requests may also be made by emailing john@johncavaletto.com.

Download the GA Scholarship Application

For further information, contact Representative Cavaletto’s district office at 618-548-9080.

Cavaletto Passes Underground Storage Tank Fund Protection Bill out of House Committee

2/19/2009

Springfield…. Legislation offered by State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) to protect the Leaking Underground Storage Tank fund from fund sweeps and administrative charge backs unanimously passed the House State Government Committee on Thursday.

In previous years, funds collected from the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax that were supposed to be dedicated to paying companies to clean up leaking underground fuel storage tanks were diverted by the Blagojevich Administration for other purposes.

“I feel very strongly that dedicated funds should be left alone so they can serve the purpose they were meant to serve,” Cavaletto told the committee. “Here we have honest, hard working people doing a service for our state in cleaning up dangerous leaking storage tanks and the State of Illinois refuses to honor its obligations. Something needs to be done to ensure that these people are getting paid for the work they do on behalf of the State.”

More than $54 million has been swept from the fund since 2003, causing hardship for environmental companies in Illinois that specialize in cleaning up dangerous leaking storage tanks.

Joining Representative Cavaletto in presenting House Bill 770 was Jay Koch of Mt. Vernon. Koch is the President of United Science Industries. Currently, USI Inc. and its subsidiaries are owed nearly $20 million from the State for storage tank clean up work they have performed throughout Illinois. 

The legislation will next be voted upon by the full House of Representatives.

Cavaletto Named to House Committees

2/10/2009

Salem….State Representative John Cavaletto (R – Salem) was recently named to several legislative committees in the Illinois House of Representatives. Cavaletto will serve on committees dealing with issues related to Aging, Agriculture and Conservation, Elementary and Secondary Education, Fire Protection, Higher Education Appropriations, and the Railroad Industry.

This is Cavaletto’s first term in office as 107^th district State Representative. He spent 37 years as an educator in Illinois schools as a teacher, coach, and administrator.

“I am honored to have been named to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. Having worked as an educator for many years in Illinois schools I have expertise in this area and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to improve our schools,” Cavaletto said.

Cavaletto was also eager to begin work with his colleagues that serve on the Railroad Industry and Agriculture and Conservation committees.

“Agriculture is a major industry in the 107^th district, especially in Marion, Jefferson and Clinton Counties. The 107^th has Amtrak in Centralia, as well as significant railway cargo traffic in other parts of Marion County. The committees I will serve on this session will deal with a range of issues that are of particular concern to the residents of my district,” Cavaletto said.