Millions of Illinoisans received income, property tax rebates thanks to Illinois Senate Democrats

SPRINGFIELD – Millions of Illinoisans have now received over $1 billion in income and property tax rebates as part of the Illinois Senate Democrat-backed Illinois Family Relief Plan.

“We prioritized families struggling to make ends meet, the single mom worrying about how she’ll afford school supplies and child care, and the family who feels they can’t catch a break – and we put together a fiscally responsible, compassionate plan to signal to each of those families that their needs are what we are fighting for,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Illinois is paying its bills and we are fighting to help struggling families pay theirs as well.”

Read more: Millions of Illinoisans received income, property tax rebates thanks to Illinois Senate Democrats

Turner receives award for strong support of agricultural education

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner recently accepted the Jim Guilinger Legislative Award from the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education in Springfield for her efforts in prioritizing ag as a state legislator.

“Agriculture plays an important role in our local economy and is the reason we have food on our table,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Educating students about the agricultural industry encourages them to be a part of one of Illinois’ most vital productions.”

The Jim Guilinger Legislative Award is presented to legislators who advocate for and have been publicly supportive of Illinois agricultural education. The agricultural industry makes up about a quarter of Illinois’ jobs.

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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.

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