Every year, the General Assembly considers changes in state law to make schools more safe and secure and to mprove the learning environment. As students, teachers and parents get ready to head back to school, take a look at some recently enacted laws we sponsored to improve education in Illinois.

Last year, nearly 20 percent of Chicago Public School kindergartners missed at least 18 days in the classroom. For fifth-graders, the rate was over 10 percent, climbing to over 15 percent for eight-graders.

To better understand the problem and to help find solutions to curb chronic absenteeism in one of the nation’s largest public school districts, State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D – Chicago) passed a law creating the Truancy in Chicago Public Schools Task Force.

On Thursday, the over 40-member task force, composed of educators, community advocates, law enforcement authorities, researchers and legislators, released its final report to the General Assembly.

Illinois is home to a large and growing port district in Madison County, along the Mississippi River in the Metro East area. More Metro East communities will have new opportunities for economic growth, investment and job creation under a new law expanding the Tri-City Regional Port District.

The district operates America’s Central Port in Granite City and provides much-needed programs to reduce operating costs for new and expanding businesses in the region.

“Shipping on the Mississippi has an enormous economic influence on the entire region. We are expanding the benefits of the port district to match that wide-ranging impact,” State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) said.

On Friday afternoon at Crab Orchard Lake in Williamson County, a new law was signed decreasing hunting and fishing license fees for Illinois seniors 75 and older.

The new law sponsored by State Senator Gary Forby cuts fees for hunting and fishing licensure down to $1 or, in some cases, completely eliminates them.

“After a lifetime of buying licenses and stamps, we are making it easier for seniors to afford hunting and fishing. Every senior should be able to enjoy the outdoors even if they’re on a fixed income,” Forby said.