State laws to be discussed at town hall

By Shikha Duttyal

Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley, will talk with locals about state law and taxes at a Kiwanis Club Town Hall Meeting Monday.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the DeKalb Elks Club, 209 S. Annie Glidden Road. The Kiwanis Club, which has about 40 members, hosts monthly Town Hall meetings with speakers to facilitate citizens’ understanding of civic activities. Monday’s meeting will encourage citizens to learn and understand some of the latest legislative moves by the state, including state bills, taxes and rules.

Pritchard will participate in a question-and-answer session open to the public. The meeting will focus on issues facing Illinois, like its budget, pension reforms, education funding and social issues.

“It’s a real opportunity to have him,” said John Smith, Kiwanis Club member and volunteer.

Jason Montemayor, senior political science major, said the event will provide an opportunity for students to expand their professional networks and support the community.

“Any opportunity that we have to talk with [a] public official is potentially beneficial to promote awareness and [get] every voice heard at the state level,” Montemayor said.

Club President Jim Morel said next month the club will give $3,500 in scholarships to graduating students at DeKalb High School.

“Our club is over 90 years with services in DeKalb community. We have concentrated on … projects that have helped youth community and children, and that’s what we wanna do,” Morel said.