HEALTH CARE REFORM

On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the most significant health care bill considered by the House since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. This was one of the most important votes I have taken as a member of Congress and I considered it very carefully.

Go to my Health Care Reform page for more information on this issue.

UNDELIVERED IRS REFUNDS

Over $110,000 worth of tax refunds for constituents in the 12th Congressional District were undeliverable or unclaimed from the IRS for tax year 2008.

Go to my Press Release and take the link at the bottom of the release to see the list of people who are due a refund.

HOUSE PASSES COSTELLO AVIATION SAFETY BILL

H.R. 3371 is the Strongest Bill Considered in 50 Years

On October 14, the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic aviation safety legislation I introduced that enhances airline safety by significantly increasing the flight hours required for commercial first officers and strengthening pilot training.

Go to my press release to read more concerning H.R. 3371.

Click on the image to view my floor speech.

What's New - 12th District

VA SECRETARY TO DELEGATION: CORRECTING MARION VA FAILURES IS A DEPARTMENT PRIORITY
The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, today assured members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation that correcting the failures at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois identified in a report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is a priority for the VA and a high level Quality Management team will be sent to the facility to assess the need for further action.-- Read more ->

COSTELLO, DURBIN, BURRIS, SHIMKUS: VA MANAGEMENT MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAILURES AT MARION FACILITY
Calling the recent findings of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) “appalling” and “inexcusable”, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roland Burris (D-IL) and Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) today pledged to hold the VA accountable for the failure of leadership at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois to meet VA patient safety and quality care guidelines.-- Read more ->

COSTELLO, DURBIN ANNOUNCE NEW CARRIER TO PROVIDE AIR SERVICE TO DOWNSTATE COMMUNITIES
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today announced that two new air carriers will begin providing air service from three downstate Illinois communities to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport before the end of the year.-- Read more ->

COSTELLO WELCOMES SPECIAL PAYMENTS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO SERVED UNDER STOP LOSS ORDERS
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) welcomed the announcement by the Department of Defense that beginning today special payments are available to over 185,000 service members who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended since September 11, 2001, providing $500 for every month they were held under Stop Loss orders. -- Read more ->

What's New - Press

Here are press releases of more general interest throughout our district. Visit my Press page for a list of all my press releases.

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON FT. HOOD SHOOTINGS
Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement today regarding the shootings at Ft. Hood today:-- Read more ->

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON THE 8TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS
“Today marks the 8th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. No one who lived through that day will ever forget it.” -- Read more ->

What's New - DC

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEWS RTCA NEXTGEN MID-TERM IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
The House Subcommittee on Aviation today held another in a series of hearings on the development and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). -- Read more ->

Visit my Aviation Subcommittee page for more information on the subcommittee.

FIRE GRANTS LEGISLATION APPROVED BY HOUSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that legislation to reauthorize grant programs for local fire departments passed the full House Science and Technology Committee.-- Read more ->

HOUSE PASSES COSTELLO AVIATION SAFETY BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed historic aviation safety legislation introduced by Congressman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee.-- Read more ->

News You Can Use

DTV CONVERSION

On Friday, June 12, over the air television broadcasts began transmitting only in digital formats.
Visit my DTV Conversion page to see what this may mean to you and what your options are.

H1N1 Flu
As schools have reopened and the traditional flu season approaches, H1N1 flu is a public health concern that continues to be tracked by national and international health organizations. Please visit my H1N1 Flu page for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.