Tazewell County

Ohio congressman is Lincoln Day dinner speaker

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, will be the keynote speaker at the Tazewell County Republican Party’s 49th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner. The dinner will be held on Friday, March 4 at Embassy Suites, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria.

Jordan will be introduced by guest speaker U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL). Registration and cocktail hour is set for 6-7 p.m. The dinner and program will start at 7 p.m. A private reception with Jordan and LaHood will be held for event sponsors and Dirksen Club members at 5:30 p.m.

Individual ticket prices start at $70 each and table sponsorships start at $650 for a table of 10. Deadline for reservations and sponsorships is Feb. 29. For ticket information email a request to rsvp2tazgop@gmail.com or call (309) 241-7563 or visit www.tazewellgop.org.

Jordan is a fiscal conservative who believes that families and taxpayers, rather than government, know best how to make decisions with their money. Throughout his career, Jordan has led the fight against tax hikes, including those proposed by his own political party. He believes that cutting taxes and letting families keep more of what they earn helps build strong communities and a vibrant economy.

In Congress, Jordan has emerged as a prominent defender of the taxpayer’s pocketbook through his work on spending issues. In 2009, he introduced the only balanced budget alternative to President Obama’s budget. In the 112th Congress, Jordan served as chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives, advancing conservative ideas and solutions on Capitol Hill. In the 114th Congress, Jordan helped found the House Freedom Caucus, and is currently serving as its first chairman. Jordan has been an advocate of the taxpayer, looking for waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules.

As one of the most conservative members of Congress, his efforts have earned him recognition from Citizens against Government Waste, Family Research Council, Americans for Tax Reform’s Friend of the Taxpayer Award and the 2012 Weyrich Award for National Legislator of the Year.

Jimmy John’s Manager Donny Cox and franchise owners Chad Roepenack and Justin Clark were joined by Dennis Short, Andy Sparks, and Teresa Mack. Back row (l-r): Harry Wilmert, Dennis Barron, Brent Oest, Paul Scherer, and the Rev. Jim McClarey.

Pekin

Chamber celebrates two Jimmy John’s openings

Jimmy John’s is now open and serving dine-in, carryout and delivery service at two Pekin locations.

After opening the new location at 2925 Court, which features a drive-through window, the 1631 Broadway location was closed for a total interior remodel. Both locations are now open and delivery orders can be placed online or by calling (309) 353-2500 (Broadway) or (309) 353-4900 (Court Street). The original Pekin location at 1631 Broadway reopened on Feb. 12.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to commemorate the reopening with a ribbon cutting.  Jimmy John’s Manager Donny Cox and franchise owners Chad Roepenack and Justin Clark were presented.

East Peoria

Mock Interview session designed for veterans

The East Peoria Chamber of Commerce invites veterans who are looking for employment to attend a session that will sharpen interviewing skills. Conducted by Goodwill, its staff will guide participants through a mock interview asking common interview questions and providing feedback to ensure participants are prepared for real interviews.

The session will be held 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 25 at Goodwill Commons, 2319 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria. Appointments are needed. Call (309) 682-1113, Ext. 2121 to make one.

State

Bill would honor Obama’s birthday as state holiday

Amid the state’s financial woes, political stalemate and union contract fights, a proposed bill would make President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday Illinois’ 13th paid state holiday. Under the proposal, state offices, schools and businesses could close because of the holiday status.

Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago) introduced the bill.

Right now, Illinois’ dozen paid holidays are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, General Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, according to the state’s Department of Central Management Services.

The federal government has 10 paid holidays, according to the Office of Personnel Management. Those holidays are the same as Illinois’, minus Lincoln’s Birthday and Election Day.

Statewide, according to a survey of about 500 employers by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the average number of paid holidays in 2016 averages about 8.8 days.

The 2016 Illinois Chamber Paid Holiday Survey indicates six holidays are those most widely celebrated with a paid day off. In order of prevalence, they are New Year’s Day at 98.2 percent, Labor Day at 98.2 percent, Thanksgiving at 98 percent, Memorial Day at 97.6 percent, Independence Day at 97.3 percent and Christmas at 90.4 percent.

The next most-awarded holiday days are Good Friday at 34.6 percent, New Year’s Eve at 27.2 percent, Martin Luther King Day at 20.6 percent, Presidents Day at 18.5 percent, Veterans Day at 16.3 percent, and Columbus Day at 8.9 percent.

In the bottom tier are floating holidays, 5.2 percent; Lincoln’s Birthday, 2.6 percent; the employee’s birthday, 2 percent; and Jewish holidays; 1 percent. Washington’s Birthday and Casimir Pulaski Day each came in at less than 1 percent.

About 1.3 percent of the respondents in the chamber’s survey indicated Election Day is recognized with a full paid holiday, while 1 percent said it is awarded as a half-day.

The bill remains in the House Rules Committee and might or might not make it to the full House.

–Tazewell County New Briefs–