Senate President statement on the passing of former Senator Pat Welch

SPRINGFIELD —Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Senator Pat Welch.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of my former colleague Pat Welch. He was a man with the savvy and the determination to be a true, principled public servant to the people he represented.

“Pat was a fighter for his ideals. He left behind a legislative legacy of equal pay for equal work, environmental protection and investment in local infrastructure. The Pat Welch I had the honor of serving with is the sort of person we speak of when we talk about statesmanship. He will be dearly missed.”

Lightford reminds businesses of minimum wage tax credit

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) reminds small businesses to take advantage of the minimum wage credit starting this year. The new tax credit is intended to help small businesses over the next six years as a part of the state’s minimum wage increase plan.

“Keeping small businesses competitive is a priority when increasing the minimum wage,” Lightford said. “I encourage businesses to take full advantage of this tax credit to ease their transition.”

Businesses and nonprofits with 50 full-time employees or less are eligible to offset a portion of the minimum wage increase cost from their withholding income taxes. Eligible businesses can claim this credit by filing Form IL-941, Illinois withholding income tax return, and a new schedule.

Read more: Lightford reminds businesses of minimum wage tax credit

Belt helps create military liaison for IDFPR

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored an initiative that lead to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation hiring its first military liaison to help military families through the licensure process.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation created a military liaison position to help service members and their spouses navigate the licensure process. The military liaison will enhance communication and improve the overall application process for service members and spouses when they choose to work in Illinois. If military families provide all the necessary documents in their license applications, IDFPR can expedite their licensure within 60 days.

Read more: Belt helps create military liaison for IDFPR

More seniors eligible for transportation assistance in 2020

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department on Aging has adjusted its annual income eligibility limits for the Benefit Access Program, allowing more seniors to qualify to receive transportation assistance in 2020.

“This is the first income limit increase since 2010, despite the rising cost of living,” said State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview). “It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad to see that our most vulnerable seniors will now be able to get help with their transportation needs.”

The Benefit Access Program includes the Secretary of State License Plate Discount, the Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit and the Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride. The services aim to help older adults live independently by improving their transportation options.

Read more: More seniors eligible for transportation assistance in 2020