Senate Democrats celebrate final construction on Jane Byrne Interchange

CHICAGO – Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined the governor at a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to commemorate the end of construction on Chicago’s Jane Byrne Interchange.

“The ability to transport people and goods has long been a strength that set Illinois apart,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “The ability to finally wrap up this project after so many delays is a testament to a new leadership in our state that is focused on getting things done and moving Illinois forward. I want to thank the thousands of skilled trade workers who brought this project to conclusion. And I want to thank everyone involved at the local, state and federal level for recognizing this project as a priority, seeing it through and finally making this transportation gateway to our future a reality. And I especially want to thank the motoring public who patiently put up with nearly a decade’s worth of construction delays to get us to this point.”

The Jane Byrne Interchange serves more than 400,000 commuters each day, connecting I-90/94, I-290 and downtown. Construction began in 2013 and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Rebuilding and expanding the interchange saw 35 separate projects over the course of nine years that aim to reduce congestion, expand access to transit in neighboring areas, and improve bridges and cross streets. More than $800 million in state and federal investments went into rebuilding the Jane Byrne.

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Members of Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force announce official launch

CHICAGO – Members of the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force held a press conference Tuesday at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois facility to increase awareness around prevention and treatment of the disease that affects 37 million Americans.

"Kidney disease is of the utmost importance here in Illinois. An estimated 1.4 million Illinoisans are affected and only around 177,000 of them are aware of it,” said National Kidney Foundation of Illinois CEO Jacqueline Burgess-Bishop. “Raised awareness and early detection of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors — including diabetes and hypertension — can help prevent the disease from developing or progressing."

Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, with uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure as the leading causes. Black Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney disease.

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Villanueva-led changes to One Day Rest in Seven Act take effect Jan. 1

Updates include changes to meal and rest break requirements, employer penalties

SPRINGFIELD – As the New Year is fast approaching, employers should be aware of the new changes that have been made to the One Day Rest in Seven Act thanks to State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“The One Day Rest in Seven Act is crucial for the protection of employees’ wellbeing,” said Senator Celina Villanueva. “It is important to make sure that employees know that when they need an additional break from working longer hours, that they can take one without being penalized. This will allow employees to perform at a higher rate without feeling as overwhelmed.”

The One Day Rest in Seven Act gives workers the right to a day of rest every workweek and breaks for meals or rest during daily work shifts. Originally, the law mandated a minimum of 24 hours of rest per calendar week. This will change to 24 hours of rest per seven-consecutive-day period. This means that any employee who works for six consecutive days, the law now covers them on day seven, even if those six days do not align with a Sunday through Saturday workweek. For instance, if an employee starts working in the middle of the week on a Wednesday and works six days straight, on the 7^th day they are allowed to rest without being penalized by their employer.

Read more: Villanueva-led changes to One Day Rest in Seven Act take effect Jan. 1

Simmons announces $1 million in state funding for lead pipe replacement

EVANSTON – To address ongoing issues concerning public health inequities in disenfranchised communities, State Senator Mike Simmons announced that he has secured $1 million in state funding for the replacement of lead pipes in South Evanston.

“For too long, lead in our drinking water has exposed our neighbors to adverse health effects, further building on the inequities our communities face. We have to get focused on this, we can’t make any excuses when it comes to lead pipes,” said Simmons (D-Chicago).  “This funding provides long overdue resources to address a problem that is systemic in nature, is decades in the making, and often does the most damage to Black and Brown communities like those who call South Evanston home.”

Simmons was joined by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Evanston’s 8th Ward Alderman Devon Reid for the announcement. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health there were almost 680,000 reported community lead service lines in the Illinois water systems in 2019. In Evanston there are almost 11,500 which need to be addressed.

Read more: Simmons announces $1 million in state funding for lead pipe replacement