Tenure
Shortly after taking office,Schmidt joined with other Senate Republicans in proposing a plan which would introduce more than $5 billion in reductions to government spending intended to "maintain core government services and also [prevent an] income tax increase". [12]
Schmidt sponsored an amendment to the Deposit of State Moneys Act which places restrictions on the Illinois Treasurer's power to invest state funds. The bill passed both Houses of the Illinois General Assembly and was sent to the office of the governor. [13] She also acted as the chief Senate sponsor of a bill which authorizes law enforcement agencies to collect pharmaceuticals for safe disposal. [14]
Schmidt also supported the safe and scheduled removal of spent fuel rods housed at a de-commissioned nuclear plant in Zion, [15] Illinois,and for the lands to be returned to the public,"I want to see this area go back to what it was --- open to the public for recreation. There is a beautiful shoreline here everyone should be able to enjoy." [16]
Schmidt was a co-sponsor [17] to legislation which would have allowed the practice of concealed carry in Illinois. She also co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution introduced by Democratic Senator Kwame Raoul which would amended the Illinois Constitution to consolidate the positions of state treasurer and state comptroller. [18]
In 2011 Schmidt was appointed to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability,which provides the legislature with research and information regarding state and national economies,revenue projections and operations of Illinois Government. [19] She was also appointed to the Illinois Council on Aging during her first year in office.
In September 2011,the Illinois Environmental Council,a state environmental advocacy group,awarded Schmidt the Environmental Leadership Award for her work with the Lake County Forest Preserve. [20]
