Cervantes legislation supports STEM students and their growing careers in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing to support our growing workforce in Illinois, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is building support for new legislation creating the Graduate and Retain Our Workforce Illinois Program that will assist students in STEM fields here in Illinois.

“How we support our students affects how the workforce of the future will find good paying jobs. Illinois is here to support students through their educational journey and ensure they reach their destination,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “These growing tech fields are in dire need of employees and we are creating a pipeline for students to grow their life here in Illinois.”

The new legislation, Senate Bill 1453, will create the Graduate and Retain Our Workforce Illinois Program, otherwise known as the GROW Illinois Program, is intended to allow public institutions of higher education to award forgivable loans to individuals with qualifying degrees and jobs that are in high demand.

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New Belt law expands liquor delivery services across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Liquor delivery services will be expanded thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Christopher Belt that was signed into law Friday.

“We have continuously taken strides to uplift our small businesses, and this is a big win for Illinois bars and restaurants,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This expansion allows businesses to bring in more revenue and increases access for people across the state.”

In partnership with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Belt’s initiative will eliminate state and local fees for liquor delivery throughout Illinois. Additionally, it brings parity for liquor delivery between home-rule and non-home rule municipalities to regulate liquor delivery.

Senate Bill 1001 also lowers the licensing fees for wineries to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.

“As more shoppers rely on home delivery than ever before, it’s important we make it easier for retailers to meet their needs,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “This bill will ease hurdles by streamlining regulations and removing burdensome fees. We appreciate Senator Belt for his leadership on this issue, especially as businesses seek stability following years of disruption caused by the pandemic.”

Senate Bill 1001 takes effect immediately.

Villanueva champions measure for students seeking need-based education financial assistance

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure that prohibits students from changing their guardianship in efforts to qualify for need-based financial aid for college.

“Students that are experiencing financial hardships should not feel pressured to change their guardianship in order to receive need-based financial aid,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that legislation is put in place to ensure that students who are seeking need-based financial receive the resources they need without being penalized due to of their financial hardships.”

Senate Bill 195 is a direct response to previous public reports that Illinois students became eligible for need-based education financial assistance through the practice of "Opportunity Hoarding." Opportunity hoarding is the practice of exploiting a loophole in the Probate Act by transferring legal guardianship from a parent to a relative or friend in lower income brackets or by declaring financial independence.

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Pacione-Zayas, Turner support strong proposal for early education investments

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Cristina Pacione-Zayas and Doris Turner stood in support of the governor’s proposed budget that would make a strong investment in early childhood education at a press conference on Thursday.

“I am pleased to join Governor Pritzker in leading Illinois to be the best state to raise young children. Together with my colleagues in the General Assembly we will make historic investments to optimize early childhood development, support families, and bolster early childhood professionals,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago).  “Delivering this message directly to providers and families will be crucial for gaining support to advance the proposal to victory.”

The proposal would put a total of $250 million toward a new program – SMART Start Illinois – a multi-year program to provide investments in preparing children to be lifelong learners. The plan laid out Wednesday included a $75 million investment for the Illinois State Board of Education’s Early Childhood Block Grant to increase preschool availability and provide every Illinois child with access to a preschool spot if they want one.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas, Turner support strong proposal for early education investments