Ellman to reduce light pollution with responsible lighting standards

SPRINGFIELD – Excess light emitted at night – from buildings to street lights – poses serious harm and risk to birds, insects and people across the state. To address the negative impact on Illinoisans and wildlife, State Senator Laura Ellman is working to reduce light pollution by establishing outdoor lighting control requirements.

“Birds, insects and people all experience the harsh effects of bright lights in our environment and our night sky,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By regulating future lighting projects in our state, we aim to diminish the disruptions to migrating birds across our Mississippi flyway, restore nocturnal insects’ natural cycles in the environment, and prevent humans from feeling the effects of blue light on their vision.”

Light pollution refers to the brightening of the night sky by man-made light sources, including street lights and buildings. Excessive light in our night sky causes a variety of issues, such as interfering with bird migration, nocturnal insects and our optical health.

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Koehler’s first in the Midwest initiative would reduce carbon emissions in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to reduce carbon emissions in Illinois, State Senator Dave Koehler lead a discussion Friday during a subject matter hearing in the Energy and Public Utilities Committee on his measure that would create a credit system to incentivize the use of low-emission fuels. 

“It’s time we take action to protect our environment,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This measure would allow Illinois to lead the charge to promote sustainable fuels that create a cleaner future for our state.”

Read more: Koehler’s first in the Midwest initiative would reduce carbon emissions in Illinois

Peters, Cervantes, and Villanueva rally to protect immigrant workers against retaliation

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including State Senators Robert Peters, Celina Villanueva, and Javier Cervantes, joined representatives from Raise the Floor Alliance in support of a new initiative to expand protections against worker retaliation based on an employee’s immigration status.

“As the proud daughter of hardworking Mexican immigrant parents and a Senator representing an immigrant community, I will always fight for working class people and immigrants in my community and throughout the state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “We must demand dignity and respect for all Illinois workers, including immigrants, who have been exploited by their employers for too long.”

If workers are targeted for speaking up against labor violations such as wage theft, discrimination and sexual harassment, they are being retaliated against, and are entitled to protections under current labor laws. However, current law does not consider threats to call immigration authorities, or other forms of immigration-based threats as “retaliation.” This oversight has left many employees who have experienced retaliation based on their immigration status or perceived status unprotected and vulnerable to wrongful treatment or termination.

Read more: Peters, Cervantes, and Villanueva rally to protect immigrant workers against retaliation

Turner, Faraci: USPS should listen to our community

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) and Doris Turner (D-Springfield) released the following statement in response to the United States Postal Service’s recommendations to downsize facilities in Central Illinois and move mail service to larger cities:

“We can’t risk our mail being diverted to St. Louis and Chicago. Moving local mail to post offices far from Central Illinois will not only slow down service, but also create life threatening hardships for those who rely on reliable mail service for their medication needs. Under these recommendations, Springfield, Champaign and surrounding communities will be directly impacted.

“Additionally, jobs will be lost or displaced, hurting our local economy, uprooting families and the increased wait times for mail will negatively impact our small businesses.

Read more: Turner, Faraci: USPS should listen to our community