State Rep. Keith Sommer (R-106th District) works behind the scenes on a daily basis — it is the life of a legislator. However, he spends a lot of time promoting what he does in Springfield, not just to his constituents, but youth, as well.
“I really enjoy trying to put a face on the government,” Sommer said.
Sommer, like many legislators, said he enjoys involving his constituents in the daily workings of state government.
Last week, he entertained questions from members of the Morton Republican Women’s group as well as fourth-grade students from Jefferson Elementary. Both groups made a trip to Springfield to experience the workings of state government.
Sommer met with each group to explain a little bit about the legislative process. About 12 times a year, he meets with visiting students from his jurisdiction, he said.
“Trying to expose kids to more things like that is so important,” Sommer said. “You see the enthusiasm of the kids.
“If you can help them understand (government), it’s well worth it.”
Thursday was a particularly active day in Springfield as thousands of college students showed up at the capitol to encourage legislators to continue the Monetary Assistance Program, which offers financial aid to college students in the state. Budget cuts made earlier this year would have provided only 50 percent of the funding to 138,000 students.
The House of Representatives voted unanimously to bring that funding back.
However, on the House of Representatives floor, republican legislators queried democratic legislators, asking where the $205 million to fund the program would come from.
“There was no funding source identified,” Sommer said. “There was a little irritation of the governor.”
Sommer said Gov. Pat Quinn signed off on half funding MAP grants, then turned around and blamed the MAP grant cuts on legislators.
The bill to continue MAP grants funneled through to the Senate that day, and was later signed by Gov. Quinn, restoring full MAP grant funding for college students for the spring semester.
No definitive funding source was identified. Sommer said democrats want to increase cigarette taxes by $1 to fund MAP grants. But, he has concerns regarding the taxation of such products.
Last time the government voted to increase cigarette taxes, state revenue did not increase, he said, because people either quit smoking or travel across state lines to purchase cigarettes.
“I think, too often, (democrats) are too optimistic about those forecasts,” Sommer said. “It would be interesting to see what happens.”
“Everybody recognizes that it was a concern,” Sommer said. “We’re working on finding answers.”
Sommer does not believe much in Springfield has changed since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached.
“We’ve had Chicago domination for so many years,” he said. “What are we getting from it?
“(Blagojevich) was a terrible governor, but he wasn’t the lone culprit.”
Illinois is losing business, he said, and he does not foresee any changes in the near future.
“I’m a believer that government does not grow jobs,” Sommer said. “Businesss owners and entrepreneurs do.”
