ISDC
  • Home
  • Senators
    • Alphabetical
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Find My Senator
  • Caucus News
    • ILBC Committee Roundup
    • Subscribe
    • Majority Report
  • Issues
    • Agriculture
    • Budget
    • Business
    • Criminal Law
    • Diabetes
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Ethics
    • Health
    • Higher Education
    • Law Enforcement
    • Seniors
    • Transportation
    • Veterans
  • Multimedia
    • Monthly Minute
    • Photo of the Day
    • Sound of the State
  • Resources
    • Bills / Resolutions
    • Fact Sheets
    • For Educators
    • I Like Illinois
    • Illinois Compiled Statutes
    • Illinois General Assembly
    • Internships
    • Media Guidelines
    • NCSL
    • Senate Schedule
  • About the Senate
  • Contact Us
    • How to contact a Senator
    • Employment
    • Submit Feedback
  • ILBC Pillars
    • Pillar 1
    • Pillar 2
    • Pillar 3
    • Pillar 4
  • COVID-19

Joyce-backed measure advances, allowing three-year hunting, fishing and trapping license

Details
Category: Senator Patrick Joyce News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 02:10 PM
  • Joyce
  • Fishing Hunting Sportsmens Licenses
  • HB3677

fishing 042723SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a measure out of committee today that would allow for an easier way to obtain a hunting, fishing, trapping and sportsmen license.

“We are working to provide a practical solution for avid hunters, anglers and trappers in the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It’s a win-win for everyone — making it easier for people to enjoy these hobbies while supporting our state’s conservation efforts.”

House Bill 3677 would allow Illinois residents to obtain a three-year fishing, hunting, sportsmen’s combination or trapping license at three times the cost of an annual one.

Read more: Joyce-backed measure advances, allowing three-year hunting, fishing and trapping license

Legislators introduce plan to address teacher shortage

Details
Category: Member News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 01:50 PM
  • Belt
  • Lightford
  • Loughran Cappel
  • SB2236
  • HB3442
  • HB3801
  • HB1291

Sen. Belt, Leader Lightford, Sen. Loughran Cappel

SPRINGFIELD – As school districts around the state continue struggling to fill teaching positions, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday announcing a number of legislative measures that would help address the void.

“Teachers have a significant, lifelong impact on their students. The impact involves not just teaching particular academic skills, but fostering life skills, creativity and productivity that leads to positive outcomes for years to come,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “Attracting quality educators to our state is vital to our education system and providing our children with the best possible education.”

According to the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, there are more than 5,300 unfilled positions in schools. In an attempt to address the vacancies and increase the substitute teacher pool, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel introduced a plan – House Bill 3442 – which would allow a substitute teacher who has filled a vacancy left by a licensed teacher to teach in an emergency situation for 90 days or until the end of the semester, whichever is greater, if the school distinct files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education.

Read more: Legislators introduce plan to address teacher shortage

Loughran Cappel supports pets for vets

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 01:30 PM
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans
  • Pets
  • Loughran Cappel
  • HB2500

dog

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans deserve companionship – that’s why State Senator Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday that would waive fees for veterans adopting dogs or cats.

“There is a special bond people share with their animals,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “For our veterans, this bond can help their health and happiness.”

Across the state, pet adoption fees vary widely depending on the organization, ranging from $50 to $275. Loughran Cappel’s measure would require animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive the adoption fee for military veterans in Illinois.

Read more: Loughran Cappel supports pets for vets

Cunningham advances measure for Chicago police and fire COVID disability benefits

Details
Category: Senator Bill Cunningham News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 01:26 PM
  • COVID-19
  • Disability Benefits
  • Chicago Police and Firefighters
  • HB3162

cunningham 042723SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that presumes that Chicago police and firefighters who became disabled as a result of COVID-19 from March 9, 2020 to June 30, 2021, contracted COVID-19 while on the job.

"Let’s right the wrongs that have been done to those who put their lives on the line for the people of Chicago," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "As we’ve learned, this legislation is just the right thing to do for the emergency first responder community and I look forward to passing it through the Senate."

Read more: Cunningham advances measure for Chicago police and fire COVID disability benefits

Koehler highlights $350,000 in Home Improvement Grants in Bloomington

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 01:20 PM
  • Disabilities
  • Home Repair and Accessibility Program
  • Bloomington
  • Elderly

koehler 042823BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler was pleased to see the Home Repair and Accessibility Program will provide $350,000 to the city of Bloomington to help low-income homes with much needed repairs.

“Every Illinoisan should have a stable roof over their head,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “This funding will provide financial assistance for residents in Bloomington who can’t afford the necessary repairs for their home.” 

The grant program will help provide low-income homeowners with health, safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency repairs to their homes. The funding is designed to serve underfunded communities and ensure residents are able to stay in their homes.

Read more: Koehler highlights $350,000 in Home Improvement Grants in Bloomington

Joyce passes measure to protect wildlife and regulate nuisance wildlife operators

Details
Category: Senator Patrick Joyce News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 12:36 PM
  • Joyce
  • HB 2461
  • Beavers
  • Wildlife operators

0216230604KP1

 

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect the beaver population and regulate the activities of nuisance wildlife operators, State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a measure out of the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday.

“Some people don’t realize that beavers provide benefits to humans, such as improved water quality and flood control,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It’s important we protect these animals and trap them correctly without destroying their homes.”

House Bill 2461 would make it unlawful to destroy or disturb dams, lodges, burrows or feed beds of beavers while trapping them. Additionally, the bill requires that anyone who acts as a nuisance wildlife control operator for a fee must obtain a permit.

Read more: Joyce passes measure to protect wildlife and regulate nuisance wildlife operators

Ventura advances measure against deceptive interrogation tactics

Details
Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 09:18 AM
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  • Ventura
  • Custodial Interrogation
  • HB3253

ventura 042723SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura passed a measure through the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday that would protect highly vulnerable individuals from deceitful tactics in legal proceedings.

“We need protections in place to protect those who may fall victim to these harmful practices, especially those with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).

Currently, a confession by a minor that was made as a result of a custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention is presumed to be inadmissible in a criminal proceeding or a juvenile court proceeding as evidence against the minor if, during the custodial interrogation, a law enforcement officer or juvenile officer knowingly engages in deception.

Read more: Ventura advances measure against deceptive interrogation tactics

Feigenholtz spearheads anti-bullying legislation

Details
Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
Thursday, April 27, 2023 08:49 AM
  • Education
  • Feigenholtz
  • Bullying
  • HB3425
  • Cyberbullying

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that improves transparency, reporting and more timely notification of bullying incidents is one step closer to becoming law.

“Updating Illinois’ bullying laws to reflect the realities of cyberbullying on the internet and on social media sites will help school districts understand when these incidents are occurring,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “With rising mental health crises and suicide rates among our youth, this is a critical measure that will promote the safety and protection of all Illinois students.”

House Bill 3425 would require schools to alert parents and guardians of alleged bullying incidents involving their child within 24 hours after the school’s administration is made aware of the incident. This matter was brought to Senator Feigenholtz and Representative Margaret Croke last year by a family who tragically lost their son to suicide after being bullied and cyberbullied by his classmates.

Read more: Feigenholtz spearheads anti-bullying legislation

More Articles …

  1. Senator Halpin finds a way to get children the benefits they deserve
  2. Villa progresses bill to address statewide nurse shortages
  3. Loughran Cappel advances measure increasing access to resources for grandparents raising grandchildren in Will County
  4. Mother who lost son to suicide fights alongside Democrats to support other grieving families
  • 179
  • 180
  • 181
  • 182
  • 183
  • 184
  • 185
  • 186
  • 187
  • 188

Page 184 of 743

Follow ILSenDems

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Sign up for the Majority Report

Laws Going Into Effect 2025

Employment Opportunities

Find Your Senator

Senate Schedule

Bills & Resolutions

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE

phone(217) 782-2728

phone309 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Senate Floor, Illinois State Capitol, Springfield, IL

Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube
CHICAGO OFFICE

phone(312) 814-2075

phone160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601