Representatives Wait and Winters Host Successful Tele-Town Hall

July 20, 2007

Springfield, IL…State Representatives Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) and Dave Winters
(R-Shirland) hosted a successful town hall meeting via teleconference this week.  The representatives, kept in Springfield to continue working to craft a responsible and sensible state budget, reached out to over 30,000 residents of the 68th and 69th legislative districts.

“Since our duties in Springfield have required so much of our time these past few months, I thought speaking with constituents via the Tele-Town Hall was an innovative and efficient way to keep in touch,” Wait said.

Winters, Assistant House Republican Leader, added, “The Tele-Town Hall was a great opportunity to make up for lost time in my district.  The governor and his allies in the legislature have shown a complete lack of leadership, so my Republican colleagues and I have been held in Springfield trying to solve the budget impasse.”

Over the course of the nearly 90 minute call, the representatives, joined by State Representative Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica), discussed the budget, pensions, and proposed lottery lease.  While nearly 300 residents indicated they had questions, the representatives only had time to address the concerns of about 20.  Those whose questions remained unanswered were given the option of recording their question after the call.

“Over the next few weeks, my staff and I will be reviewing the recorded questions and getting back to constituents about their concerns,” Wait said.  “My colleagues and I were thrilled with the response and hope to host more tele-town halls in the future.”

For more information or assistance, residents may contact Representative Wait by visiting his office at 411 S. State St. in Belvidere or by calling (815) 547-7771.  Residents of the 68th district may visit Representative Winters office at 3444 N. Main St. in Rockford or by calling (815) 282-0083.