House passes Ventura initiative to expand clean energy infrastructure loans to counties
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced an initiative through the House that would allow local government to apply for loans through the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank in an effort to expand clean energy infrastructure across Illinois.
“By offering low-rate loans to local government, the state will not only save taxpayers money in the long run, but also address and tackle the effects of climate change head on,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We need every level of government to do their part and make drastic improvements to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Senate Bill 3597 would allow units of local government to apply and obtain a loan from the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank to build, purchase, remodel or improve clean energy infrastructure.
Read more: House passes Ventura initiative to expand clean energy infrastructure loans to counties
Delays reduced in childcare employment process under Loughran Cappel measure
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that will address background check delays at childcare facilities across Illinois.
“Illinois has been committed to setting kids up to be lifelong learners, giving youth a quality education at an early age,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We can’t do that when background checks are taking so long. We are losing qualified early education teachers.”
House Bill 4412 would allow a childcare facility, non-licensed service provider, day care center, or home-based day cares to use a third-party vendor licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the required fingerprinting that is part of the application process for facility licensure and as a condition of employment.
Read more: Delays reduced in childcare employment process under Loughran Cappel measure
Villa measure protecting tenants from retaliation passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa aiming to protect tenants from different forms of landlord retaliation passed the Senate on Wednesday.
“With fear of retaliation, tenants would rather stay in inadequate living conditions than speak up – this cannot continue,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Tenants spend their hard earned money on rent. At minimum, they should be confident when taking actions to ensure that their home is properly maintained.”
House Bill 4768 would protect tenants from a landlord who knowingly terminates their tenancy, increases rent, decreases services, brings or threatens a lawsuit or refuses to renew a lease after a tenant sought assistance to ensure their housing was safe and habitable.
Read more: Villa measure protecting tenants from retaliation passes Senate
Collins legislation to require insurance coverage for all pregnancy related services
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SPRINGFIELD – Leading the charge to address disparities in maternal mortality rates in Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is spearheading a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.
“As a mom, I know how necessary pregnancy and midwife services are and how vital it is to lower the maternal mortality rate by ensuring mothers and newborns have the best health care and supports possible,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Black women face some of the highest mortality rates during and after pregnancy, and with this legislation, we will begin to close gaps in coverage and increase safety and care for all newborns and mothers in Illinois.”
Under Collins’ legislation, private insurers would be required to cover all pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits and support during labor. Insurance companies would need to cover home visits by board-certified lactation consultants, including the cost of recommended breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies and feeding aids.
Read more: Collins legislation to require insurance coverage for all pregnancy related services
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