Videos

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
We have all had a teacher that made a difference in our lives. May 7-11 is Teacher Appreciation Week, a perfect opportunity to thank our teachers for all they do for us. -- View video ->

MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH
May is Military Appreciation Month. Please join me in thanking our troops and veterans – and their families - for their dedicated service to our nation. -- View video ->

What's New - 12th District

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON PASSING OF MADISON COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK MATT MELUCCI
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding the passing of Madison County Circuit Clerk Matt Melucci, who served as Costello’s first congressional chief of staff from August 1988 – July 1991:-- Read more ->

COSTELLO ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ART COMPETITION
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced the winners of this year’s 12th Congressional District High School Art Competition. -- Read more ->

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS STORMS
Tornadoes and severe storms pushed through Southern Illinois in February, causing loss of life, injuries and extensive property damage. For emergency contact information, ways to seek assistance and how to donate to the relief effort, please go to my Southern Illinois Storms page.

COSTELLO REACTS TO DENIAL OF DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today expressed disappointment after receiving word that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied the State of Illinois’ appeal for a Presidential disaster declaration for five counties – Gallatin, Randolph, Saline, Union, and Williamson – in Southern Illinois that were devastated by severe storms and tornadoes three weeks ago. -- Read more ->

COSTELLO URGES PRESIDENT OBAMA TO APPROVE ILLINOIS DISASTER ASSISTANCE APPEAL
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today urged President Obama to approve the State of Illinois’ appeal of his denial of a federal disaster declaration request for Gallatin, Randolph, Saline, Union and Williamson counties in Southern Illinois. -- Read more ->

IL DELEGATION PRESSES FEMA ADMINISTRATOR ON IMPORTANCE OF FEDERAL DISASTER AID IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
After a meeting to discuss the recent denial of federal assistance to five counties in Southern Illinois, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today said that they pressed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, Craig Fugate, on the importance of federal disaster aid to the residents and businesses impacted by severe storms and tornadoes earlier this month. -- Read more ->

What's New - DC

AS MEMBERS OF TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, DURBIN AND COSTELLO WILL WORK TO PROTECT ILLINOIS PRIORITIES
In a letter to all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today committed to working to protect important Illinois priorities in the upcoming House-Senate Conference Committee on the next transportation bill. -- Read more ->

COSTELLO NAMED TO HIGHWAY BILL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today was named a House conferee on H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. -- Read more ->

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEWS SAFETY
Congressman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, commended the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for progress being made in implementing the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, which was enacted into law in 2010 as part of H.R. 5900, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, during an Aviation Subcommittee hearing on aviation safety in the United States. -- Read more ->

DURBIN, COSTELLO MEET WITH ARMY ASSISTANT SECRETARY REGARDING METRO EAST LEVEES
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today held a meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers, Jo-Ellen Darcy, commander of the St. Louis District, Colonel Christopher Hall, and the head of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council, Les Sterman, to discuss streamlining the review process for the Metro East levee project. -- Read more ->

News You Can Use

Myths and Facts
There are several myths that keep recycling in forwarded e-mails and I want to share the facts with you.
Go to my Myths and Facts page for further detail.

UNDELIVERED IRS REFUNDS
Over $4 million worth of tax refunds for residents in Illinois has been returned by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.
Go to my Press Release and take the link at the bottom of the release to see the list of people in the 12th Congressional District who are due a refund.