Johnson measure to enhance water quality of Lake Michigan advances
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson passed a measure to require regular monitoring of water quality from nearshores, harbors and public water supply intakes in Lake Michigan.
“Lake Michigan is the largest public drinking water supply in the state, serving nearly 6.6 million people, in addition to being Illinois’ largest recreational resource,” said Johnson (D - Buffalo Grove). “The protection of water resources is essential for sustaining public health, quality of life and economic prosperity.”
Senate Bill 3716 would update an existing provision to ensure that the IEPA is regularly monitoring water quality from nearshores, harbors and public water supply intakes in Lake Michigan. The measure would also require the IEPA to provide an executive summary every two years on conditions of the water quality in Lake Michigan to the governor and General Assembly. This update further aligns Illinois with the federal Clean Water Act.
Read more: Johnson measure to enhance water quality of Lake Michigan advances
Senate approves legislation led by Ellman to reduce light pollution
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SPRINGFIELD – To alleviate the negative impacts light pollution poses on our state’s environment, State Senator Laura Ellman passed a measure out of the Senate to implement responsible outdoor lighting standards.
“We may not immediately think of light as a source of pollution or consider the impacts that artificial light creates,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This impact includes migratory birds, nocturnal insects, people who cannot experience a natural night, and our expenditure of resources.”
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.
Read more: Senate approves legislation led by Ellman to reduce light pollution
Morrison measure to examine inter-jurisdictional zoning passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – When a logistics company proposed a busy trucking facility across the street from a residential neighborhood, the Lake County community strongly opposed the planned development.
Compounding the issue was that the property for the development and the residential subdivision were under the jurisdiction of different governing bodies. In response to the community’s uprising, State Senator Julie Morrison passed a bill to prevent this in the future.
“We are developing a task force to give us direction and resolution on what to do when future development plans are presented,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We want to look at giving communities input on industrial developments occurring near their place of residence.”
Read more: Morrison measure to examine inter-jurisdictional zoning passes Senate
Sims to remove sales tax from home-delivered meals provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is alleviating financial burdens on organizations that help vulnerable populations to ensure access to essential nutrition services by exempting home-delivered meals from sales tax for Medicare and Medicaid recipients
"For many Medicare and Medicaid recipients, home-delivered meals are a lifeline – providing essential nutrition and support," said Sims (D-Chicago). "However, the added burden of sales tax can create financial strain for those already facing economic challenges. Senate Bill 3476 aims to remove this barrier to access, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can receive the nourishment they need without additional financial burden."
Under Senate Bill 3476, home-delivered meals – like from Meals on Wheels – provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients would be exempt from sales tax when payment is made by an intermediary, such as a Medicare Administrative Contractor, a Managed Care Organization, or a Medicare Advantage Organization, pursuant to government contract.
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