Happy New Year!

As we begin 2012, it’s only fair that we reflect on 2011 and the progress we’ve made.

Last year, as I traveled the district I noted that for some the holiday season is one filled with grief, sorrow, and loneliness because they’ve undeservingly lost a loved one due to Illinois’ failed death penalty experiment. While I can’t change the past, I remain humble and proud that my legislation to permanently end the death penalty in Illinois has since been signed into law. This historical achievement is paving the way for other states to follow Illinois’ lead and ban the practice as well. It’s my hope that one day our entire country will join the rest of the civilized world and end state-sanctioned homicide.

The death penalty abolition can’t be the end of our work to fight for the innocent in Illinois however. Our record on the death penalty only highlights the holes in our criminal justice system and its alarming statistics on wrongful convictions. In an investigation of 85 cases, the Better Government Association reports that since 1976, innocent men and women served a total of 926 years for crimes they did not commit. These are only the cases where men or women have been exonerated. We can’t continue along this pattern and that’s why I’m partnering with the Better Government Association and taking aim at mandating practices that will minimize wrongful convictions.

Recently, there’s been a lot of attention by the Chicago media about the hurdles and hiccups of the ward remap process. As Chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, I led an open process along with Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie to produce a state legislative map and congressional map which reflects the diversity of our state and has met the approval of the courts. By now, you’re probably aware of my disdain of how our friends in Chinatown were impacted by legislative boundaries that diluted their influence in legislative elections and I’m happy to report that the community is now within one district which will allow them to influence the outcomes of future elections. This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible if Representative Currie and I had not led the effort to pass the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011.

Unlike the gridlock we’re currently seeing in Washington, members on both sides of the aisle have begun to work together to address the problems at hand in Springfield. Together, we’ve implemented new work rules to help attract shows to McCormick Place, passed a budget on a bipartisan basis, put kids first with an education overhaul and I even received broad bipartisan support on my legislation to reform workers compensation.

Most recently, during the fall veto session, I partnered with Republican Leader Tom Cross to pass legislation to eliminate pension double-dipping abuses committed by select union leaders that were not in the interest of rank and file members who’ve worked hard to earn their pensions. During the veto session, we also increased the earned income tax credit to lessen the tax burden on the working poor. Without a doubt it’s been a productive year but it’s a testament to what we can do when we work together.

These accomplishments shouldn’t be undervalued and I’m thankful for your support over the last year. I truly am honored to serve each of you and have the opportunity to fight for you in Springfield. As you know, getting things done in Springfield isn’t always easy but as I look back at our results it’s clear that the late nights and miles back and forth were definitely worth it.

I hope that you’ve had a wonderful holiday filled with warmth and cheer and I look forward to continue working with each of you to get more done in 2012!