Simmons expands rental assistance qualification eligibility

CHICAGO – A new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) expands eligibility requirements for the state’s Rental Housing Support Program to higher income levels.

“Many renters in our state are still reeling from the economic effects of COVID-19,” Simmons said. “The harsh reality is that many Illinoisans are burdened by their rent, and the programs we have in place to offer support need to adjust to meet that reality.”

House Bill 648 raises the income threshold for a tenant to qualify for the rental assistance program from 30% of the median family income for the area to 35%.  Once that threshold is met, tenants begin phasing out of the program, which is administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

“This new law will help provide some relief to working class people as they work to rebound from a global pandemic,” Simmons said.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation into law Friday. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Ellman law will reduce use of PFAS found in firefighting foam

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will begin phasing out toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Friday.

“PFAS exposure has been shown to have serious health consequences, including kidney issues and cancer,” Ellman said. “We need to act if we wish to decrease the public’s exposure, especially firefighters.”

Read more: Ellman law will reduce use of PFAS found in firefighting foam

New law to help prevent sexual misconduct on college campuses

SPRINGFIELD – Part of a nationwide effort, a new law sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham will help reduce sexual assault and harassment at Illinois’ colleges and universities by requiring an annual sexual misconduct survey.

An initiative of the Every VOICE Coalition, the results of the survey would then be posted on the university’s website and sent to the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Read more: New law to help prevent sexual misconduct on college campuses

Governor signs Peters’ parental notification of misconduct measure

CHICAGO – Parents of Chicago Public Schools students will soon have more transparency around misconduct and discipline thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“I think every parent probably expects that fights in schools are going to happen, but that doesn’t mean they should be kept in the dark when they do,” Peters said. “If parents aren’t aware of what’s going on at their kids’ schools, then it’s entirely possible that their kids might not get the treatment for trauma they need simply because their parents don’t know they need it.”

Read more: Governor signs Peters’ parental notification of misconduct measure