Starved Rock Country’s state legislators talked La Salle County hospitals, online addiction, and the ongoing fight for tax dollars at a Thursday luncheon.

Republican State Senator Sue Rezin and Democratic State Representative Lance Yednock appeared at Thursday’s annual legislative luncheon put on by the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

IVAC’s Bill Zens conducted a Q-and-A. Throughout the session, Rezin and Yednock reinforced their reputation for mutual respect and a non-partisan approach. This was demonstrated last year when the two teamed up to mitigate the damage from the closure of both St. Margaret’s facilities. On that subject, the two expressed hope that OSF and the City of Ottawa will each compromise a bit on the question of moving services away from that city, while recognizing that Ottawa would get a brand-new hospital under the plan. They agreed that childcare should be easier to get and pay for, as well.

Rezin said she’s putting together a raft of bills in Springfield that would help protect minors from being victimized by algorithms meant to addict them to being online. Yednock is retiring from Springfield after the November veto session. His replacement will be either Democrat Murri Briel or Republican Liz Bishop. And, he says whoever wins the upcoming election will have to continue to push for rural interests, and tax dollars, in the face of pressure from more-populated areas.