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Senate Democrats pass responsible spending plan
Senate Democrats pass responsible spending plan
Edly-Allen, Morrison champion measures to combat online harassment
Edly-Allen, Morrison champion measures to combat online harassment
Bipartisan group of Senators outline critical response plan for schools, law enforcement
Bipartisan group of Senators outline critical response plan for schools, law enforcement
Edly-Allen passes measure to crack down on harmful “deepfakes”
Edly-Allen passes measure to crack down on harmful “deepfakes”
Senate Democrats honor fallen firefighters at Springfield ceremony
Senate Democrats honor fallen firefighters at Springfield ceremony

Joyce opens the door for new developments in downtown Kankakee

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:50 PM

DTKankakee

SPRINGFIELD – The City of Kankakee will now be the latest community to be a part of the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program, thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce’s leadership to get Senate Bill 1963 over the finish line.

“When I was growing up, downtown Kankakee was a vibrant area full of small businesses and things to do,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By adding Kankakee to the list of towns eligible to be in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone, investors and small business owners alike will have tax incentives to invest in the downtown area. This action aims to bring back businesses and give old river communities another chance for development.”  

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program helps revive and redevelop environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in Illinois. Currently, the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act authorizes the Illinois Department of Commerce to designate zones in five cities: Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford. This new legislation will add Kankakee and Joliet to the list of authorized municipalities in the zones.

Read more: Joyce opens the door for new developments in downtown Kankakee

Holmes advocates for drone use by law enforcement for public safety

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:40 PM

holmes 052523SPRINGFIELD – On Feb. 15, 2019, a mass shooting took place at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora. Within 90 minutes of the shooter’s arrival, five people had been killed by the gunman. Five police officers were injured along with another civilian. The Aurora Police Department began reviewing the case for opportunities to use their drones at events; over the next three years, a plan was formed.

On Wednesday, Aurora’s State Senator Linda Holmes brought the work of law enforcement agencies who studied how the use of drones could play a role in protecting the public in mass shooting events, and House Bill 3902 – the Drones as First Responders Act – was heard and passed in the Senate.

“This measure gives police and other first responders critical information in a chaotic situation where lives are at stake,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This capability could spare another community the suffering and trauma we experienced here.”

Read more: Holmes advocates for drone use by law enforcement for public safety

Hunter creates joint cause scratch-off lottery game

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:20 PM

Sen. Mattie Hunter

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a bill that will equitably distribute proceeds from specialty lottery scratch-off tickets, as well as create two new causes to provide educational opportunities to Black and Brown youth.

“By establishing a Joint Special Instant Scratch-Off Game, we are providing an opportunity for our residents to contribute to causes that make a meaningful impact in our communities,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This legislation will streamline operations and better distribute proceeds — ultimately benefiting both the Illinois Lottery and the causes it supports.”

Senate Bill 1508 amends the Illinois Lottery Law by introducing a Joint Special Instant Scratch-Off Game, which will combine specialty causes into one ticket — limited to 10 causes at any given time — and split the proceeds equally among the causes. Currently, there are eight separate specialty cause scratch-off games benefiting breast cancer research, veterans assistance, multiple sclerosis research, HIV/AIDS prevention, Special Olympics, police memorials, homelessness prevention programs, and Alzheimer’s care. Under the current structure, the Illinois Lottery faces several challenges, including disproportionate proceeds from various specialty games.

Read more: Hunter creates joint cause scratch-off lottery game

Senator Fine passes rate review legislation, prevents excessive rate increases on health insurance

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 03:08 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – Between 2013 and 2021, health care costs increased by 25% causing Illinoisans to spend, on average, over $7,000 on healthcare per person. In order to protect consumers and small businesses from excessive insurance premium increases, State Senator Laura Fine sponsored House Bill 2296, which would require the state to review and approve health insurance rate changes and make the process more transparent.

“Since becoming a legislator, I have been a fierce consumer advocate to provide quality, affordable healthcare to Illinois residents,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This initiative empowers the Department of Insurance to reject unsubstantiated increases in insurance premiums and provides essential transparency to the process.”

House Bill 2296 protects consumers by giving the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) the authority to approve, modify, or deny excessive premium rate increases for individuals and small businesses. The legislation would also provide transparency on the process of insurance plans changing their rates by requiring DOI to post proposed rates on their website with space for members of the public to comment.

Read more: Senator Fine passes rate review legislation, prevents excessive rate increases on health insurance

  1. Senator Halpin’s legislation gives more in-state students access to Illinois universities
  2. Cunningham, Gill put the red light camera industry on notice
  3. Senator Fine celebrates Unplug Illinois Day
  4. Castro package to improve equity in procurement, state contracts clears Senate

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Hastings works to increase college affordability
Hastings works to increase college affordability
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings fought for a significant milestone in the expansion of the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program. “This monumental legislation makes greater investments in our children,”...

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Lightford on FY 24 Budget: This is a positive investment for our children
Lightford on FY 24 Budget: This is a positive investment for our children
SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) declared the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget a positive investment for our state’s children – prioritizing education, youth employment and mental...

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Preston: New Budget offers more equitable, advantageous opportunities across Illinois
Preston: New Budget offers more equitable, advantageous opportunities across Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – During his first year in office, State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) was proud to support a budget that prioritizes education from birth to college, enhances workforce development, and...

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Senator Porfirio supports legislation to give Illinois students more in-state opportunities
Senator Porfirio supports legislation to give Illinois students more in-state opportunities
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio helped spearhead a measure through the Senate making significant strides to expand the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program. “Making the AIM HIGH program permanent will...

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Senate Democrats pass responsible spending plan
Senate Democrats pass responsible spending plan
SPRINGFIELD – Building upon the success of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget Thursday, continuing the state on a path...

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Morrison leads measure to allow law enforcement to use drones to detect public safety issues
Morrison leads measure to allow law enforcement to use drones to detect public safety issues
SPRINGFIELD – Less than a year after State Senator Julie Morrison and her family ran for their lives as a man opened fire from a rooftop in Highland Park, she...

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