Belvidere, IL… State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford/Belvidere) invites constituents and members of the media to participate in a post-discussion of Governor Quinn’s State of the State Address tomorrow at 1 p.m.

To join the chat, please visit http://www.facebook.com/joesosnowski and click on ‘Wall’.

Rep. Sosnowski will be posting his thoughts on the address immediately following and welcomes feedback from the public and media.

I was the guest reader at Cherry Valley Public Library's Winter Festival today.  Had a great time reading Ten in the Sled, Snowmen at Night, and Snow Friends to the kids!  Special thanks to Stacey Chester and the rest of the library staff for their help.

Belvidere, IL… State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Belvidere/Rockford) has announced the opening of the application process for the Illinois General Assembly Scholarship program to eligible students in the 69th Legislative District.

This program allows members to offer scholarship opportunities to residents of the district who plan on attending any in-state public university of their choice for the upcoming academic year. Sosnowski will be awarding 16 one-semester scholarships.

“I have always taken a unique approach in the scholarship process by using an independent panel to select recipients based on academic achievement, community involvement and financial need,” Rep. Sosnowski said. “It is important to me that I am able to help not only the hard-working students of my district but also those who may need some financial assistance.”

In order to apply, students must meet the following requirements:
• Live within the 69th Legislative District
• Be accepted at the State university of one’s choice as a full time student
• Demonstrate a commitment to community service
• Demonstrate a need for financial assistance
• Submit a fully completed application including essays and recommendations
• Fully complete the Consent to Publish form

“I encourage all students to apply for these scholarships, whether they feel they meet the requirements or not,” Sosnowski said.

Applications are available online by clicking here. Please call the district office with any questions at (815) 547-3436. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2012 and recipients will be announced by June 1, 2012.

Belvidere, IL… State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Belvidere/Rockford) helped secure $37,500 in state capital funds to award the City of Belvidere for crucial community services.

“The awarding of this grant will allow the City to replace a 28-year-old street sweeper/vacuum truck with an updated, late-model unit that will provide a more efficient and economical means to keep our streets and storm sewers clean,” Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton said.

The grant is part of legislative member initiative funds that are requested specifically by both Senate and House members for their legislative districts.

“The Mayor and Council have done an excellent job working through their budget in tough economic times,” Sosnowski said. “I’m pleased that Belvidere was able to utilize this funding in order to help with their capital needs in their street department.”

This past session, I was able to introduce and pass House Bill 2265, which allowed Immanuel Lutheran to use a converted school bus to transport students to school-related functions.  Yesterday morning at their weekly chapel, the school recognized me for helping pass this legislation and presented me with a special award!  Thank you to Michael Buhl and the administration for all their assistance.