Loughran Cappel measure to incentive mentoring, professional development for educators advances
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SPRINGFIELD – To incentivize educational professionals, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Education Committee that would increase the annual pay cap for teachers who mentor or provide professional development for classroom teachers or counselors.
“As a former special education teacher, I understand the struggles many education professionals are facing,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s important for new teachers to have qualified mentors to lean on, especially when first joining the profession. This can lead to increased satisfaction for teachers and education professionals.”
House Bill 1291 would increase the annual pay cap from $1,500 to $2,250 for teachers with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designations who mentor or provide professional development for classroom teachers or counselors.
Peters advances plan to create the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act
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SPRINGFIELD – A measure increasing the baseline financial penalty for civil rights violations sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
“Discrimination has unfortunately been on the rise,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Victims of civil rights violations don’t ask to be discriminated against and deserve every bit of compensation they can get.”
House Bill 2248 would allow state claims for violations of federal civil rights acts to be heard in any court with jurisdiction. The measure also provides that Illinois courts may award no less than $4,000 in damages.
Read more: Peters advances plan to create the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act
Johnson secures funding for mobile asthma unit
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WAUKEGAN – State Senator Adriane Johnson celebrates another win for community health initiatives with a $500,000 investment in an asthma mobile unit designed for Waukegan and North Chicago.
“Each step we take for the betterment of our community is a step in the right direction,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “It is my hope that together, we can provide the resources necessary for a healthier community.”
The Christopher Redding Youth Asthma Foundation, founded in 2013, is managing the asthma van as they share a vision in serving the community with Senator Johnson. The Asthma Mobile Unit will provide asthma and allergy medicine to Lake County, concentrating on Waukegan and North Chicago. They will service families and youth living with asthma, with an emphasis on lessening the potentially adverse health effects on asthmatic youth and young adults involved in athletics in underserved communities.
Senator Faraci celebrates Higher Education investments with a visit to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Paul Faraci joined Governor JB Pritzker on a visit to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to highlight future investments in higher education.
“College affordability is an issue that affects parents all across the state,” said State Senator Paul Faraci, (D-Champaign). “As a father to a 17-year-old daughter, I believe that the proposed funding increase to higher education will provide financial security to many families and allow more children to further their education right here in Illinois.”
Faraci is supporting an increase in MAP Grant Funding in the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which would help ensure every student who wants to go to college has an affordable path to do so. Pursuing higher education degrees would become more attainable if the $100 million investment into the MAP Grant Program is made.
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SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will streamline local municipal services, allowing the city of Joliet to absorb the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District. “Joliet is well equipped to ensure a smooth transition between th... -
SPRINGFIELD — To reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters led a new law to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency. “Families who are in need of DCFS’ s... -
SPRINGFIELD — With increasing threats to public health emerging from the intersection of human, animal and environmental factors, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison will create the One Health Commission — a unique collaboration amo... -
SPRINGFIELD – The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a law that will increase the number of the... -
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s effort to protect rural auctioneers was signed into law Friday. “We are working to protect local and rural auctioneers from unregulated online auctions and give bidders peace of mind when they make their tran...
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