Waukegan - Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) and Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) applauded Walgreens who unveiled new medication disposal kiosks at three Lake County Walgreens locations.

Link and Morrison believe that providing safe opportunities to dispose of old and unused medication will only help the state in fighting the opioid addiction crisis. In 2014, Senator Link pushed legislation through the General Assembly that would allow police departments to safely collect unused and old medications.

“Fighting drug addiction needs to be a top priority in Illinois. By providing places that residents can safely deposit their unused medications, we can eliminate opportunities for drug abuse by others,” Link said. “This proactive step by Walgreens will help to create a safer Illinois and continue the fight against prescription drug abuse.”

As civic groups throughout Illinois prepare for National Voter Registration Day activities on Tuesday, Senator Andy Manar is reminding people that automatic registration is the best way to ensure all eligible voters are able to have a say in their government.

The Illinois Legislature in May approved automatic voter registration legislation with strong bipartisan support. However, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the proposal in August even though he previously had expressed support for the concept.

State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a project that will bring businesses and jobs to Shorewood.

The plan, which Bertino-Tarrant pushed for, will allow for land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Routes 59 and 52 in Shorewood to be redeveloped.

“More businesses and jobs will be coming to Shorewood,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This initiative is good for the community, and I look forward to continuing to support projects that will enhance economic development throughout my district.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois must do a better job of prioritizing education funding for students who live in poverty and have special needs, Senator Andy Manar said Wednesday during a meeting of the governor’s commission on school funding reform.

Even with the additional investment the state made in K-12 schools this year, Illinois is unlikely to move the needle on better educational outcomes because the state does not drive enough dollars to the districts where they’re most needed, Manar added.