Larry Bomke


Larry Bomke is a former Republican member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 50th district from 1995 to 2013.
Bomke considers his major accomplishments to be the improvement of fairness within the state pension system, fighting for Rule of 85 which allows state employees to retire before age 65. His accomplishments also include the expansion of property tax grants, and discounted prescriptions to senior citizens. He also cites his sponsorship of a bill requiring health plans to cover 48-hour stays for newborns in hospitals, and advocates comprehensive crime legislation and ending 'excess privileges' for prisoners. Senator Bomke fought for comprehensive crime legislation, including public notification of a known sex offender moving into a community.

Legislative assignments

Committees on Transportation, ; Appropriations II; Financial Institutions; State Government and Veterans Affairs; Alzheimer's Disease Task Force; State Employees Suggestion Award Board, ; Legislative Printing Unit; Legislative Research Unit,.

Community involvement

Senator Bomke previously served as chairman of the Sangamon County Board and was a member of the Sangamon County Board.
He is involved locally in the United Way, American Heart Association, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Sangamon County Farm Bureau, Toastmasters, and Friends of Foster/Adoptive Families.

Controversies

When news outlets reported that taxpayers were charged for a $600 makeup session for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for his budget speech, Bomke said, "He didn't get his money's worth."
In February 2009, shortly after Governor Rod Blagojevich was removed from office and in the midst of the state's financial crisis, Bomke, announced a bill which targeted William Ayers for removal from his teaching position at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The proposal states that anyone "who has committed an act of violence against the governments of the United States or Illinois cannot work at a public university."

Personal

Senator Bomke is a small-business owner. He is married to Sally Jo and has one son Wulf and one daughter, Natalie, who works as a reporter and anchor for WFLD.