Addison, IL…State Senator Carole Pankau (R-Itasca) and Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst), pictured above, helped to unload food collected during their first annual food drive. The food drive, which was held in March, was coordinated with various local school districts including: Bensenville Elementary School District #2, Addison School District #4, Wood Dale School District #7, Itasca School District #10, and Elmhurst School District #205, Villa Park School District #45, and Lombard School District #44. This past week, the food was donated to the local food pantry in Addison, which is a part of the Northern Illinois Food Bank serving over 52,000 in need of assistance.  Both area legislators sought to help local food banks during the spring when food collection tends to decline.

Itasca, IL… On Wednesday, April 22, residents at The Arbors of Itasca received a visit from State Senator Carole Pankau (R-Itasca).  Pankau was on hand to give a legislative update on the budget process currently taking place in Springfield.  The event was organized by activity director Linda Roberts, who had Sen. Pankau speak to an audience of more than 30 seniors in attendance.  The event took place during The Arbors’ daily activity schedule, which regularly features guest speakers from throughout the area.

Addison, IL…. Legislation aimed at helping relieve the property tax burden for disabled home owners has passed its first test in the General Assembly.  The legislation, Senate Bill 2072, introduced by State Sen. Carole Pankau (R-Itasca) would allow people with disabilities to qualify for a homestead exemption.

SB 2072 would apply the same standards which are in place for the senior citizens, to people with disabilities.  In order to qualify for the new homestead exemption, the individual would have to show an income of less than $55,000.  The bill would effectively freeze property taxes for disabled individuals who qualify.

Springfield, Ill. - A group of Republican Senators are urging the adoption of reforms they say will introduce common-sense improvements and fiscal restraint to the state’s Medicaid system.

State Senators Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), Carole Pankau (R-Itasca), Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) are among the legislators targeting the state’s staggering backlog of unpaid Medicaid bills and proposing reforms to improve the level of service that Medicaid patients receive.