ISDC

Details: Monday, May 31, 2021 06:28 PM

Sen. Bill Cunningham

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Bill Cunningham passed a plan out of the Illinois Senate that would allow small breweries, meaderies, and winemakers to distribute their products to local bars, grocery stores, and liquor stores directly rather than through a third party, helping local businesses reach their customers.

“We’ve seen an explosion of small beer, wine, and mead makers in recent years, and they’ve become staples of our local bar and restaurant scene,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “People want to be able to buy their products at local grocery and liquor stores, and we should make that easier to do.”

Under current Illinois law, most companies that produce alcohol have to sell their products to local grocery and liquor stores through a third-party distributor. Tracing back to the post-prohibition era, this set up is meant to help prevent the unregulated sale of alcohol and aid in the collection of alcohol-related taxes. It is still employed by almost every state in the U.S.

Belt's plan to ensure fair pay for automotive technicians passes General Assembly

Details: Monday, May 31, 2021 02:16 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Technicians will be entitled to fairer compensation thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that passed the General Assembly Sunday.

“This measure addresses the unjust approach many manufacturers take toward paying technicians,” Belt said. “Technicians are often treated unfairly, and this ensures they'll be properly compensated for their hard work and expertise.”

Under House Bill 3940, manufacturers must pay dealerships the same effective labor rate as the dealership receives for customer-pay repairs. Currently, that's often not the case, even as technicians are using the same skills and expertise to perform what is effectively the same type of work.

Gillespie social work education package heads to governor

Details: Monday, May 31, 2021 10:39 AM

gillespie 053121 SPRINGFIELD – Two measures introduced by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that would assist school social workers with earning their degrees and paying off their tuition advanced from both chambers of the General Assembly yesterday.

“These measures address both the student debt crisis and our shortage of professional, culturally competent social workers,” Gillespie said.

Senate Bill 661 would require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to award up to 250 Post-Master of Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships each year. Scholarship recipients would be required to work at a public or not-for-profit P-12 school in Illinois for at least two of the five years immediately following their graduation.

Senate approves Peters’ measure guaranteeing play time in school

Details: Sunday, May 30, 2021 10:02 PM

Playground

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois could soon be the ninth state to guarantee students daily playtime after a measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) cleared the General Assembly Sunday.

“When I was growing up, unstructured playtime was a key part of my development, which is why I believe it should be a guaranteed right for all kids,” Peters said. “Physical activity also helps keep children’s minds sharp, and the exercise they get helps keep them healthy.”

Senate Bill 654 requires elementary schools to guarantee at least 30 minutes daily to students in kindergarten through fifth grade each day for supervised, unstructured play. Electronic devices may not be used during this time, and a physical education course does not count to fulfill the legislation’s requirements.

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