“Being able to talk with someone, listen to their concerns and make the right changes in Springfield is what it is all about,” Bivins said. “It is great to get the pulse of the district and see how the current conditions are affecting everyday lives.”

Senator Bivins began his meet and greet schedule with breakfast at the Stonewall Café in Pecatonica, then continued with stops in Winnebago and Durand.

“I am working hard every day to represent the interest of small business owners and their patrons,” Bivins said. “Innovative ideas can begin in community gathering places like those that I have visited today. These public forums allow people to share their concerns, and then collectively coming up with new ideas to solve problems. I have been doing more listening than talking at these stops, and that is what we need, leaders that listen to what the people want.”

Bivins also expressed that the only way for the problems to be solved is for people to come out and vote and demand their voices be heard on November 4^th.

“We need to express our displeasure for the way things are going in Springfield at the ballot box,” Bivins said. “Nothing sends a message louder than showing up and voting.”

According to the Tribune, the Dixon Republican was selected over his opponent because, “Bivins is articulate, thoughtful and grasps the issues”. Bivins was pleased to hear he was being selected for endorsement.

“It is a great thing to be endorsed by such a prestigious paper as the Chicago Tribune,” Bivins said. “The endorsement shows that I will be able to accomplish my goal in Springfield, and not just make empty promises.

The Chicago Tribune is just the latest in a string of major endorsements for Bivins. The 45^th District Senator has already garnered the endorsements of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, National Rifle Association, National Federation for Independent Business, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Associated Firefighters of Illinois, Illinois Farm Bureau and many more organization.

“When you look at my endorsements, you can see that I have a broad appeal to all voters in our area,” Bivins said. “I am very proud of the support that I have and I know it will carry me across the finish line on Election Day.”

Early voting continues in Illinois until October 30 with November 4^th as the General Election Day. The list of Tribune Endorsements for State Senate can be found at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-08endorsements-htmlstory,0,5602186.htmlstory

(http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2008/10/14/news/local/90a8d6675a22d5e11349018604fbef9c.txt)

State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, has won the Illinois Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR Friend of Agriculture Award, and been endorsed by the group.

ACTIVATOR is the farm bureau’s bipartisan and voluntary political fund. ACTIVATOR supports politicians “who stand up for agriculture and protect the values of rural America,” according to www.ilfb.org, the farm bureau’s Web site.

Bivins, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by state Sen. Todd Sieben, faces Galena Democrat Marty Mulcahey in his bid for the 45th District seat.

Kevin Semlow, Secretary for ACTIVATOR, said in a news release that one of the reasons ACTIVATOR is endorsing the freshman senator is his “perfect” voting record on agriculture issues.

“I am extremely honored to be endorsed by such a distinguished organization as the Illinois Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR,” Bivins said in the release. “Agriculture is the backbone of the Illinois economy; farmers from all across the 45th Senate district play a major role in keeping our state going.”

“For the small business owners in the 45th district, to have such a stalwart friend as Senator Bivins is invaluable at a time when they are feeling the effects of high energy and transportation cost and a slowing economy,” said Kim Clarke Maisch, state director NFIB/Illinois. “By standing up against higher taxes, over regulation and government intervention, Bivins proves to small business owners that he is serious about Illinois’ business climate and protecting jobs.”

The current Illinois climate is tough on small business owners. Sen. Bivins will join NFIB to find solutions to reduce the cost of doing business in this state.

“Our small business owners are often some of the hardest hit by government regulation and over taxation,” Bivins said. “I understand the importance of small businesses to our local communities and I am proud to stand with the NFIB and defend those who fuel our local economies and create jobs.”

One local business that is strongly supporting Bivins’ campaign for State Senate is Gieson Motorsports in Rock Falls. Founded by owner John Gieson in 1986, Gieson Motorsports has grown from a small specialty shop into a large multi-line dealership.

“Senator Bivins has a very strong pro-business record,” Gieson said. “I am supporting Bivins in this November’s election because he understands the role of the business community and he has and will continue to stand by us.”

Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls.

NFIB’s political support is based on the candidate’s position and record on small business issues. Sen. Bivins’ endorsement comes from the NFIB/Illinois SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, the political action committee for NFIB/Illinois’ membership. The endorsement puts the considerable grassroots support of the state’s small businesses behind the Bivins campaign.

(http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x1424437899/Area-residents-offer-opinions-on-closures)

Elizabeth, Ill. -

Area residents came to a town hall meeting Tuesday September 30, 2008, sponsored by State Sen. Tim Bivins [R-Dixon] — ready and willing to give their two cents about the closures of state parks and historic sites. They included Pastor Dottie Morizzo of Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church.

Morizzo stressed the impact of closing Apple River Fort. She noted that hundreds of schoolchildren have come to the fort. In fact, about 750 children came to the fort in one day.
“We have to be cognizant of our young people and how they are being raised,” Morizzo said.

And Village President Helen Kilgore shared the history of Apple River Fort, noting that volunteers constructed the attraction. Its creators are more than disappointed about the current situation.

“There’s a lot of heartsick people,” Kilgore said.

Though the fort is located in Elizabeth, she acknowledged its closure affects more than just the village. For instance, it has contributed to the unemployment rate. Nicki Fallos was a seasonal employee last year and returned as a volunteer this year. Budget cuts led to the downsizing of Amy Zimmerman, prompting a typical response.

“I was angry when I got laid off,” Zimmerman said.

She worked at the site this summer and last summer.

A Remedy

Legislative solutions were created, Bivins noted. Senate Bills 790 and 1103 — which would restore human services, state parks and historic sites funding — wait for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s signature.

“I’m nervous about what [Blagojevich] may or may not do,” Bivins said.

The bills would authorize a sweep of about 150 funds. Monies would be diverted from those funds. With that said, Bivins said some of the funds are federally regulated. Their use is in question, he said. Fees paid by sportsmen make up one fund. Bivins noted their concern about that, while sharing his hope for the town hall meeting.

“I hope [attendees] walk away and have a sense of ownership and involvement,” he said.
Some young citizens have gotten involved. Bivins said he took about 7,000 sign, banners and letters — pertaining to Apple River Fort — to Blagojevich’s office.

While some sites are closing, volunteers are keeping Market House in Galena open, Douglas Lincoln said. Lincoln noted tourism is the area’s “bread and butter.” Kilgore also said the loss of state sales tax revenue could not be overlooked.

Lincoln reiterated an initial public reaction to the closures.

“I think it shocked a lot of people,” he said.

(http://illinoischannel.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!B0DB128F5CD96151!4321.entry)

From WREX in Rockford- click here

From WTVO in Rockford-click here

T. Richard Day can look out his dining room window and see Chief Blackhawk — “The Eternal Indian.”

When Day lifts his 3-year-old grandson onto the dinner table to see the enormous statue at Lowden State Park, the boy says in a tiny voice, “Papa, dere’s da guy.”

“We don’t want to see the guy, our Blackhawk, go to waste,” Day announced Wednesday night.

He was one of a few dozen people who spoke out about Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s recent decision to close 11 state parks and 14 state historic sites to save money on the state’s budget. The park closings would be effective Nov. 1, while some historic sites would close Oct. 1.

The meeting, held at the Oregon Coliseum, was standing room only as several hundred people crowded into the gym.

State Sens. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, and Brad Burzynski, R-Sycamore, addressed the crowd before opening the mike for people to share stories and ask questions about the closings.

“This doesn’t have to happen and shouldn’t happen,” Bivins said. “We are here to keep our parks open.”

Blagojevich needs to look at the economic effect on the community before deciding to cut state parks and historic sites, Burzynski said.

It costs $4.9 million to run all the state historic sites and parks — $2.1 million for the parks and $2.8 million for the historic sites.

Bivins pointed out that much of the park tourism — 400,000 visitors to Castle Rock last year — comes from Chicago and its suburbs.

Amy Trimble, chair of the planning commission for Oregon, said the city needs tourism from the parks to keep local businesses alive.

“This is our quality of life,” she said.

By 6 p.m., Trimble helped to collect 3,600 signatures for the petition, which states that Castle Rock and Lowden state parks contribute to the quality of life for Oregon residents and the half-million-plus annual visitors. She had hoped for 1,000 signatures and was overwhelmed with the support for the parks.

By 6:25 p.m., Trimble presented Bivins with 3,842 signatures, plus more than 42 signatures from area businesses she spoke with about the parks’ closing.

About 45 minutes into the meeting, state Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling, sent Bivins a message. Earlier Wednesday, the Illinois House voted to restore hundreds of millions of dollars worth of budget cuts, including money to allow all historic sites and state parks to remain open. The state Senate must still act.

“They must have heard the voices down in Springfield,” Bivins told the crowd.

Denny Halgren of Dixon was impressed with the turnout for the meeting.

“I thought I’d be one of a very few people,” he said. “I’m proud of this community.”

During the open mike portion of the meeting, several people said they visited the parks as children and now take their own kids or grandkids to them.

One woman suggested it would cost more money to keep people out than to let them into the parks. Another man said the governor needs to be reminded that he is a servant of the people, and closing the parks is not serving the people.

In his turn at the mike, Day told attendees that political affiliation doesn’t matter in this case.

“It’s not a Republican issue, it’s not a Democratic issue, it’s not a governor issue,” Day said. “It’s a people issue, and we’re the people.”