Faraci law expands job opportunities for young workers
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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation from State Senator Paul Faraci making it easier for Illinois park districts and municipal recreation departments to hire young workers for seasonal jobs and youth sports programs was signed into law.
“This change will give young people more opportunities to gain valuable work experience while helping our local park districts and recreation departments meet their seasonal staffing needs,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “It’s a win-win for our communities and teens looking to take their first steps in the workforce.”
Faraci’s measure will allow minors to work summer jobs – such as lifeguards or referees – for Illinois park districts and recreational departments without a 21-year-old present, as long as an 18-year-old is on-site and no alcohol or tobacco is being sold on the premises. It will also allow minors to officiate youth sporting events, as long as a 21-year-old supervisor is on-call.
Read more: Faraci law expands job opportunities for young workers
Turner introduces measures in response to tragic murder of Sonya Massey
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner has introduced two measures in response to the murder of Sonya Massey last year.
“Sonya’s death should have never happened,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Since that fatal day, I have worked with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Alongside Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses, and community relations. Both of these measures came directly from the commission.”
Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment. To ensure the highest degree of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriffs’ deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit boards and sheriff’s merits commissions for counties with a population of at least 75,000.
Read more: Turner introduces measures in response to tragic murder of Sonya Massey
Hastings calls for comprehensive study on water access and sustainability in the south suburbs
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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced his proposal for the creation of the Chicago Water Contracts Transparency Study, a critical initiative aimed at improving water sustainability and equity for the South Suburbs.
With many suburban municipalities over-relying on the City of Chicago for water access, Hastings is calling for a comprehensive study to assess current water distribution agreements, the impact of rising water rates, and explore alternative options for local control of water resources.
“Water sustainability may seem like a distant issue, but it’s only one or two generations away,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “In 50 years, my children will be addressing the public policy regarding water in our communities. We must act now to ensure that our water supply remains reliable, affordable, and fairly distributed for generations to come.”
Preston holds press conference of Food Safety Act to highlight bipartisan support
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SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate Public Health Committee’s approval of Senate Bill 93, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a press conference Wednesday to highlight his legislation to ban the use of harmful food additives.
“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”
Senate Bill 93, better known as the Illinois Food Safety Act, would ban specific, dangerous food additives from being used in the manufacturing, delivering, distributing, holding or selling of food products. These additives include potassium bromate and propylparaben.
Read more: Preston holds press conference of Food Safety Act to highlight bipartisan support
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SPRINGFIELD – This week, Governor Pritzker joined students and leadership from Lewis and Clark Community College to propose expanding access to four-year degrees at community colleges, a similar proposal that State Senator Mike Halpin has introduced... -
SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students. “Underst... -
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SPRINGFIELD - Emphasizing the importance of public health, State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to ban harmful chemicals in candy, soda and other food items sold and produced in Illinois. Given the recent Federal Food and Drug Administra... -
ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin responded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Quad Cities Workforce Analysis Report, which provided both a diagnosis of the region’s challenges, as well as potential solutions for community organization...
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