BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – A statewide sales-tax holiday begins this Friday, August 6 through August 15 to help Illinois residents save money while purchasing back-to-school clothing and school supplies.

State Senator John Millner (R-Carol Stream) said the holiday will save consumers from the five percent state sales tax during the nine-day period, however, it will not waive local sales tax rates.

“This is a great opportunity for parents across the state to save money while buying the necessary supplies their children need to succeed in school,” Sen. Millner said. “In these financially-tight times, I realize that every penny saved does make a difference and this is a great opportunity that I hope my constituents take advantage of during these few days.”

Traditional school supplies such as paper, notebooks, writing instruments and other office-type materials will be subject to the sales tax break.

The tax holiday also applies to clothing items under $100 such as shoes, tops, bottoms, underwear and outerwear. Some specific items like school uniforms and limited athletic apparel are also on the approved list of sales tax holiday items.

ST. CHARLES, Ill. – State Senator John Millner (R-Carol Stream) and the Illinois Attorney’s General Office will co-host a scam and identity-theft prevention program on Tuesday, August 10.

The program will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Hunt Club Village, 200 Hunt Club Drive, St. Charles.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will teach participants how to protect themselves from financial exploitation in health-care fraud, debt settlement and consolidation traps, check-cashing scams, fraudulent businesses and what their rights are under new credit card rules.

“This is an opportunity to help people become educated and aware of the various cons that unfortunately occur every day,” Sen. Millner said. “Having this knowledge ahead of time can reduce the number of victims who fall for these scams and the financial stress it can cause you or your loved ones.”

The seminar is part of The Silver Beat program from the Attorney’s General Office, designed to give senior citizens knowledge and tools to avoid being targets of a wide range of fraud.

Those who want more information can call Sen. Millner’s district office at 630-351-9340.

State Senator John Millner talks about job growth in Illinois and what needs to be done to get the state back on track, away from being 48th in job growth -- a problem since 2003.

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – Several bills sponsored by State Senator John J. Millner (R-Carol Stream) were signed into law within the past week by the governor to improve public safety in Illinois.

“These new laws will ensure that police departments can better protect the communities they serve,” Sen. Millner said. “It is good to see both sides of the aisle coming together to address these serious problems with meaningful solutions that will make our children safer.”

House Bill 4807, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Randy Ramey, requires that the Department of Human Services place persons found “not guilty by reason of insanity” in rehabilitation faculties far from their victim’s families.

This legislation was brought to Sen. Millner by a Bartlett constituent, who was widowed as the result of a violent crime. She learned her husband’s killer was housed in an institution just several miles from her home.

“Victims of crimes should not have to live in fear,” Sen. Millner said. “We now have the ability to give victims peace of mind so that they can begin the healing process.”

Senate Bill 3176 requires sex offenders and sexual predators to register with local law enforcement when leaving their residence for more than three days. “This bill adds a new layer of protection for some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” Sen. Millner added.

Additionally, Senate Bill 3491 which was also co-sponsored by Rep. Randy Ramey requires the Illinois State Police and the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to approve a training program for death and homicide investigations. Only officers who have successfully completed the program may be assigned as a lead investigator such cases.

“The purpose of this law is to create consistency and make sure we are doing all we can to catch the perpetrators of such heinous crimes,” Sen. Millner said. “This law ensures that all proper procedures are being followed by police and everyone leading the investigations has the training they need.”

Sen. Millner encouraged constituents to contact his office with ideas for legislation concerning any issue.