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Ventura food label standardization measure signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Friday, June 30, 2023 01:31 PM
  • Food Waste
  • HB3849
  • Ventura
  • Food Labels

Sen. Rachel Ventura

SPRINGFIELD – To promote standardization on food labels and reduce food waste across the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura sponsored House Bill 3849 which was signed into law today.

“By providing more guidance on food labels, we can reduce the amount of food ending up in the garbage and help feed more community members struggling to get by,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As inflation continues to impact the rising cost of grocery bills, some families might extend the shelf life of their food purchases.”

According to ReFED, a national nonprofit working in conjunction with Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic, a national food labeling standard could divert 582,000 tons of food waste per year and provide $2.41 billion in annual economic value. Illinois does not currently have any food labeling laws; however, if labeled, eggs cannot be sold past the label date.

House Bill 3849 defines "quality date," "safety date" and "sell by date" and requires the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Public Health to publish information to encourage food manufacturers, processors and retailers to voluntarily use uniform terms on food product labels to communicate quality and safety dates.

Read more: Ventura food label standardization measure signed into law

Gillespie plan to strengthen housing rights for immigrants now law

Details
Category: Senator Ann Gillespie News
Friday, June 30, 2023 01:24 PM
  • Immigration
  • Gillespie
  • Illinois Human Rights Act
  • Real Estate
  • SB1817

Sen. Ann Gillespie

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie led a new law to prohibit the consideration of immigration status during real estate transactions.

“This law sets clear boundaries, protecting the rights of immigrants and ensuring that financial institutions and service providers cannot engage in discriminatory practices,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Putting these protections in place will promote fairness to ensure people are not unjustly denied housing.”

The Illinois Human Rights Act will now include immigration status as a protected class, making it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their immigration status when renting or selling property. Landlords and property sellers cannot refuse to rent or sell, receive or transmit offers, or negotiate the terms of a deal with someone based on their immigration status.

Read more: Gillespie plan to strengthen housing rights for immigrants now law

Senate Democrats’ fiscally responsible budget approach leads to historic Rainy Day Fund balance

Details
Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Thursday, June 29, 2023 01:46 PM
  • Sims
  • FY2024 Budget
  • Rainy Day Fund
  • SB1720

Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr.

SPRINGFIELD – The state’s Rainy Day Fund has reached historic levels of over $2 billion thanks to the responsible fiscal leadership of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“When I first joined the Senate in 2018, our state’s Rainy Day Fund was depleted, we had billions of dollars in unpaid bills and we were facing immense financial strains,” said Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Thanks to five consecutive balanced budgets, paying down our bills and making a number of smart spending decisions, Illinois now stands with the best fiscal footing it has seen in years. We’re better equipped than ever to handle a fiscal emergency. We will continue to be good stewards of the resources taxpayers trust to us, while setting Illinois up for long-term fiscal success.”

This week, the final deposit of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget was made to the Rainy Day Fund – bringing the FY 23 deposits to $1.18 billion – just as the Fiscal Year 2024 budget is set to begin, which will deposit an additional $138 million.

Read more: Senate Democrats’ fiscally responsible budget approach leads to historic Rainy Day Fund balance

New Holmes law modernizes state’s hiring process

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Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Thursday, June 29, 2023 12:27 PM
  • Holmes
  • CMS
  • Illinois Personnel Code
  • Modern Hiring Practices
  • SB2228

holmes 050423AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes is ready to bring the state’s hiring practices out of the 1950s and into the present so Illinois’ ability to recruit and hire quality applicants is improved and streamlined. The future is now, as Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2228 into law Tuesday.

“It’s difficult to believe Illinois’ Personnel Code has not been systematically updated since it was adopted in 1955, but I’m pleased we can make these substantial updates now so the process will move more quickly with greater accessibility and transparency,” said Holmes (D-Aurora).

Senate Bill 2228 changes the code to implement modern processes and best practices in the state's hiring methods, while reducing the time it takes to hire and grow the state's workforce. It also provides for real-time review of proposed rules by JCAR and the Civil Service Commission to reduce the time it takes to make necessary regulatory changes. This improves transparency and access to workforce data, too.

Read more: New Holmes law modernizes state’s hiring process

Senators Gillespie, Fine expand access to affordable health care coverage

Details
Category: Member News
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 02:40 PM
  • Video
  • Fine
  • Gillespie
  • Health Insurance
  • Affordable Care Act
  • Affordable Healthcare
  • HB2296
  • HB579

Senators Gillespie and Fine

Historic legislation creates Illinois insurance marketplace, protects consumers from unfair rate hikes

CHICAGO – Illinois residents will have more options when it comes to affordable, quality health insurance thanks to legislation from State Senators Ann Gillespie and Laura Fine. Gillespie’s bill creating a state-based health insurance marketplace and Fine’s legislation protecting consumers from unnecessary insurance rate increases have both been signed into law.

House Bill 579 establishes a state-based health insurance marketplace offering a variety of health insurance plans from different insurers. Illinois residents currently access the Affordable Care Act Marketplace using the federal platform which the state pays a fee to use. The federal platform does not share real-time data, and the Illinois Department of Insurance must rely on federal reports with limited information regarding enrollment in ACA Marketplace coverage. The new law helps address that challenge, allowing Illinois to better target and serve uninsured communities.

“Today, we take a significant step forward in providing accessible and affordable health care for all Illinois residents. Establishing a state-based insurance marketplace reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring everyone can find a high-quality plan tailored to their needs,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “I am pleased to see these measures become law, empowering individuals to make informed choices, increasing transparency, driving down costs and ultimately improving the overall well-being of our communities.”

Read more: Senators Gillespie, Fine expand access to affordable health care coverage

The Majority Report 06/26/23 - Removing barriers

Details
Category: Majority Report
Monday, June 26, 2023 07:48 AM
  • Majority Report
  • Villivalam
  • Gillespie
  • Medicaid
  • Villanueva
  • Reproductive Rights
  • HB3882

Sen. Villivalam

Villivalam pushes for an end to barriers faced by immigrant drivers

CHICAGO – To provide more safety and security for immigrant drivers, State Senator Ram Villivalam joined Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for a press conference highlighting legislation that would expand identification options for immigrants and make Illinois roads safer.

“Currently, many immigrant and refugee families are not able to receive a number of services because they only have a Temporary Visitor Driver's License,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With House Bill 3882, we are modernizing the law to provide eligible individuals the ability to obtain a standard driver’s license without discrimination and to eliminate any stigma. This legislation builds on our mission to continue to be the most welcoming state in the nation."

Read more.

 

Sen. Gillespie

Gillespie's Medicaid packaged signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie’s comprehensive Medicaid package was signed into law, which will expand access to care for thousands of Illinois residents and provide vital support for mental health services.

“Medicaid is a critical safety net for thousands of Illinois residents who rely on it for health care,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “By increasing reimbursement rates, expanding services and investing in telehealth, we can help providers offer affordable, quality care.”

Read more.

 

Sen. Celina VillanuevaVillanueva joins legislative leaders to discuss reproductive rights at the White House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – State Senator Celina Villanueva joined legislative leaders at the White House to discuss ways they can continue to fight for reproductive rights since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year.

As many Black and Brown communities have long faced barriers to abortion access and health care largely due to systemic barriers and discrimination, continuing the fight for equal healthcare rights and abortion care on a national level gives hopes to a population who is often overlooked and misrepresented,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Abortion is health care and everyone, no matter their income, immigration status, or ZIP code should be able to access the care they deserve without fear and obstacles.”

Read more.

 

members in the news

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senate President Don Harmon, Oak Park: Senate President on the legislature’s accomplishments this session | WILL

Senator Paul Faraci, Champaign: Faraci honors DAR | Commercial-News

Senator Karina Villa, West Chicago: New Villa law will train school staff on helping homeless students | Lawndale News

 

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Villivalam pushes for an end to barriers faced by immigrant drivers

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Thursday, June 22, 2023 11:43 AM
  • Immigration
  • Villivalam
  • Driver's Licenses
  • Refugee Integration
  • HB 3882

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CHICAGO – To provide more safety and security for immigrant drivers, State Senator Ram Villivalam joined Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias for a press conference highlighting legislation that would expand identification options for immigrants and make Illinois roads safer.

“Currently, many immigrant and refugee families are restricted access to certain services by Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses and face stigma for having only that as a form of identification,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). “With House Bill 3882, we are modernizing the law to provide eligible individuals the ability to obtain a standard driver’s license without discrimination and to eliminate any stigma. This legislation builds on our mission to continue to be the most welcoming state in the nation."

House Bill 3882 – which passed the Illinois General Assembly last month – would allow eligible noncitizen residents to receive a standard Illinois driver’s license with the wording “Federal Limits Apply” printed on top of the card, per the federal REAL ID Act.

Read more: Villivalam pushes for an end to barriers faced by immigrant drivers

Belt applauds expansion of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. at St. Louis Downtown Airport

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 12:02 PM
  • Belt
  • Blue Collar Jobs Act
  • DCEO
  • Metro East
  • Expansion
  • Gulfstream

belt gulfstream 062123CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – State Senator Christopher Belt joined Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on Tuesday in announcing the expansion of Gulfstream’s operations St. Louis Downtown Airport, enabling the company to increase completions and outfitting operations while investing in modernization at its Cahokia Heights location.

“This expansion of Gulfstream adds to the growth the Metro East area is continuing to see,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We are staying on top of the game by meeting the demands of the growing region, while leaving a positive impact for the aviation and aerospace industry and workforce.”

Read more: Belt applauds expansion of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. at St. Louis Downtown Airport

More Articles …

  1. The Majority Report 06/21/23 - Drones for public safety, supporting mental health workers, and more
  2. Senators Morrison, Holmes prioritize public safety through law enforcement drone usage law
  3. Villanueva joins legislative leaders to discuss reproductive rights at the White House
  4. Gillespie’s Medicaid package signed into law
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