Dear Friend,
Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor and pleasure to represent much of Will County as the State Senator for Illinois’ 43rd Senate District.
Here you can find information about the 43rd District, access local and state resources, and keep up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope you’ll find this website useful.
Please feel free to contact me at either of my offices with questions, concerns or ways I can better serve you.
Sincerely,
State Senator Pat McGuire
43rd Legislative District
Senator McGuire spoke with WBBM's Jim Gudas about a ProPublica Illinois report that indicates some parents are giving up legal custody of their children to friends or relatives so that the students can declare themselves financially independent and qualify for financial aid they wouldn’t otherwise get.
ProPublica Illinois, July 30, 2019 | Original article
By Jodi S. Cohen, Duaa Eldeib and Melissa Sanchez
Federal and state officials said Tuesday they want to close loopholes that allow families to get need-based financial aid they would not otherwise receive by giving up guardianship of their college-bound children.
The move, they said, could end “potential student aid fraud” when parents turn over guardianship of their children in hopes of obtaining a tuition break.
Officials with the Illinois attorney general’s office said Tuesday they also “have concerns” about the practice and will contact the state agency that administers a need-based grant “as we look into the matter further.”
State lawmakers also called for reforms.
Senator McGuire and Rep. John Connor are hosting a book drive during starting May 15 at their joint office. All donated books will benefit Illinois correctional center libraries. See more details below!
JOLIET — State Senator Pat McGuire spoke before those gathered at a long-awaited groundbreaking of the new In-Patient Treatment Center to be co-located on the grounds of the existing Joliet Treatment Center in a ceremony this morning.
“My hometown of Joliet has been home to state correctional facilities over a span of three centuries. The oldest facility is the Joliet Correctional Center, built in 1858. In a building there called 'north seg,' the statement of faith 'It is never too late to mend' is set in tile in the main entrance floor,” McGuire said.
“We know that dictum is true for individuals. Today's groundbreaking demonstrates that it is true for our state, as well. Illinois is setting right its treatment of offenders with mental illness.
“I thank all who are cooperating in this project, especially Director John Baldwin and his DOC team.”
McGuire has for years focused efforts on bringing the facility to Joliet, including helping to secure the plans and state appropriations for the planned 180,000-square-foot, $150 million facility. The project will be one of the largest state construction efforts in recent years. The 200-bed inpatient treatment center is designed to accommodate male and female inmates and is expected employ more than 400 staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners and licensed psychologists.