Kinzinger named vice-chair to a House committee

          Your representative in Washington D.C. has been named the Vice-Chair to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.  

Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  He’s also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a current member of the Air National Guard.

The Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade has oversight and legislative jurisdiction over the country’s efforts to manage and coordinate international programs to combat terrorism. 

Lang “thankful” for medical marijuana approval

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Rep. Lou Lang says he is thankful on behalf of patients in the state for the Illinois House approval of a measure authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

     Lawmakers voted 61-57 Wednesday to allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients with specific terminal illnesses or debilitating medical conditions.

     The Skokie Democrat is the sponsor of the legislation. He says the bill’s regulations make it the strictest in the nation. He says those regulations were key to putting the bill “across the goal line.”

     The legislation sets a 2.5 ounce limit per patient per purchase. The measure calls for 60 state-regulated dispensaries where patients could buy the drug.

     Lang says he looks forward to a “strong” vote in the Senate.

State Representative Frank Mautino (D) voted against the bill.

Man From Spring Valley Recalls Choatic Marathon Scene

No one likes to become irritated with big crowds but Spring Valley native and St. Bede grad Jeremy Taylor says it may have saved his life.

Taylor was at Monday’s Boston Marathon with his wife cheering on his wife’s college roommate.  He was about two and a half blocks away from the explosions but was at the finish line just a half hour earlier before leaving that area because it was too crowded.

Taylor says the blasts sounded like cannons making him think maybe it was part of the Patriot’s Day celebration.  But after seeing people running towards him crying and screaming he knew it wasn’t a celebration. Taylor says he was told by an officer to walk far away from the scene and first found out there were bombs from people spilling out of bars and restaurants.

His wife’s roommate was okay but was unable to finish the race.

Watch Out For Donation Scams Involving Marathon Help

CHICAGO (AP) – The Better Business Bureau is warning that phony charity solicitors are already at work in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Steve Bernas is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. He says people are vulnerable to scammers in the wake of tragedies because they want to do something to help. But he says you should check out the organization to avoid being fooled by fake charities with names that sound similar to legitimate charities.

Bernas also recommends asking how donations will be used and steering clear if that information is too vague.