Springfield, IL...Again recognizing his strong work ethic, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has asked Rep. Mike Unes to serve in two additional roles as the General Assembly’s Spring Session grinds into gear.  Rep. Mike Unes was appointed to the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability as well as being appointed the new Minority Spokesman of the Tourism & Conventions Committee.

These appointments bring Rep. Unes’ count to nine committees for the 99^th General Assembly, one of the largest workloads of any legislator serving in the House.

“I am excited to continue to represent the minority voice on these important committees,” said Rep. Unes from Springfield on Wednesday.  “These committee’s work is important to Central Illinois, especially as we continue to better position Central Illinois to continue to grow its convention and tourism industries.” 

Don Welch, President/CEO of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, touted Unes’ selection as Minority Spokesman of the House Tourism & Conventions Committee as a positive for our regional economy.  “Rep. Unes has already played such a prominent role in advancing for the tourism & convention industry in his previous service on this committee.  I have no doubt Rep. Unes will hit the ground running and continue to make progress toward growing this industry in our state.”

Unes is also looking forward to joining House Republican colleagues Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg) and Rep. Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) in serving as Leader Durkin’s appointees on the bipartisan, bicameral Commission of Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA).  The Commission is mandated to report to the Illinois General Assembly on economic trends in relation to long-range planning and budgeting; and to study and make such recommendations as it deems appropriate on local and regional economic and fiscal policies and on federal fiscal policy as it may affect Illinois.

For more information on Unes’ committee assignments or any other state issues, contact Rep. Unes’ Pekin District Office at 309-620-8631.

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Peoria, IL...State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) joined in a chorus of community leaders and state business leaders in lauding Caterpillar’s announcement to build and expand their new world headquarters corporate campus in Downtown Peoria on Friday.

The decision to build their new headquarters was announced on Friday at the Caterpillar Visitor’s Center by Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman before a crowd of federal, state and local dignitaries and leaders.  Caterpillar’s new corporate campus will be built in a largely expanded footprint extending several blocks around Caterpillar’ current headquarters.  The plan is for a new three tower building on a downtown campus that will be over 31 acres of Downtown Peoria along the Illinois River.

“We’re here in Peoria to stay.  Our long-term future is here,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman in announcing the new headquarters campus.

“This is the biggest economic development project in Central Illinois in my lifetime,” said Rep. Unes from Downtown Peoria on Friday.  “Caterpillar has re-committed itself to our region and the economic development implications will be long-lasting and far reaching,” Rep. Unes continued.

“Our whole region is deeply appreciative of Caterpillar’s commitment to Central Illinois, where the company’s roots run so deep and are so intertwined with the lives and livelihoods of area families.  This is not only a bright day for our region’s future, but also a very fitting tribute to those workers who spent their lives’ work dedicated to growing the heavy equipment tractor company,” said Rep. Unes.

For more information on this or any other state issues, contact Rep. Unes’ Pekin District Office at 309-620-8631.

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Springfield, IL... State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) reacted to Governor Rauner’s first State of the State Address delivered Wednesday by saying he is encouraged, “by the consensus among legislators on both sides of the aisle that there are big issues that can no longer be avoided.”

“It was assuring to hear the Governor talk about some big reforms like addressing unemployment insurance and some of the other job-repellant policies that have placed Illinois at a competitive disadvantage to our Midwestern neighbors,” said Unes on Wednesday.

“I also appreciated the Governor’s commitment to address education funding, prison overcrowding, and merging the Treasurer and Comptroller’s Offices.  These are all areas of smart investment that save taxpayer money over time,” said Unes.

Unes went on to say, “I will be most interested in hearing the specifics in the Governor’s Budget Address later this month.  That is where the rubber hits the road.”

Rep. Mike Unes represents portions of Tazewell, Fulton, and Peoria counties.  Unes has served in the Illinois House since 2011.

For more information about this issue, please contact Rep. Unes’ office at 309-620-8631.

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