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Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Belt law helps tackle increasing number of food deserts
Belt law helps tackle increasing number of food deserts
Lakesia Collins sworn in as new state senator for the 5th District
Lakesia Collins sworn in as new state senator for the 5th District
Harmon applauds Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding state assault weapons ban
Harmon applauds Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding state assault weapons ban

Belt champions measure to address teacher shortage

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 06:27 PM

Belt teacher shortage 051023SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure out of the Senate Wednesday that would help address the ongoing teacher shortage in Illinois.

“The entire state is having issues with recruiting and retaining quality teachers in schools,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It’s apparent that we need to be investing more in our educators, as they have a significant impact on our children.”

House Bill 3801 would provide retention bonuses of $4,000 per year, for two consecutive years to teachers who are National Board Certified and are employed in hard-to-staff schools. A hard-to-staff school is a public school that no less than 30% of the student enrollment is considered low-income. Becoming a National Board Certified teacher is a career continuum for those who start in pre-service teacher preparation, leading aspiring teachers to pursue and achieve National Board Certification.

This measure aims to provide an incentive for teachers to work in underserved areas, as these are the areas that are most affected by the current teacher shortage.

“Without enough well-equipped teachers in our classrooms, we cannot provide children with the education they deserve,” said Belt. “It’s not just a numbers problem, but a moral imperative to ensure they have access to education that will guide their futures.”

House Bill 3801 passed the Senate.

Villivalam legislation modernizes procedures for workers’ rights

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 06:16 PM

033023KP1305 villivalam

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation that will provide employees with better access to their rights and more streamlined procedures from their employer.

“We are updating the codes to recognize the changing ways we do business,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This legislation is designed to streamline procedures for responding to rights violations that employees may encounter and make the process updated for modern times.”

House Bill 3733 makes changes to labor laws in order to provide updated and modernized procedures. This will require employers to provide copies of personnel records to employees by mail or email upon request, and will require any employer with remote or traveling employees to make information regarding labor rights available electronically.

Read more: Villivalam legislation modernizes procedures for workers’ rights

Cervantes legislation banning video calls while driving passes Senate

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 06:10 PM

Zoom and Drive

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes sponsored legislation that would prohibit all drivers from using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois, including any video conferencing or social media applications.

“We are prioritizing safety with this legislation, because no video call is worth someone getting hurt,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We are taking action against drivers who put themselves and everyone around them in danger with straightforward legislation that will protect Illinois drivers.”

House Bill 2431 would make it illegal to use any electronic communications devices while operating a motor vehicle, including the use of cell phones and tablets for streaming videos and participating in video conferences on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WebEx. Additionally, the bill prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.

Read more: Cervantes legislation banning video calls while driving passes Senate

Villa pushes to increase social worker diversity in the workforce

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 06:07 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – Following findings of testing bias in social worker licensure exams, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday to provide social workers who are minorities another, more equitable avenue for obtaining a license.

“Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and their dedication makes our communities a better place to live in,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Those who wish to become social workers should not feel discriminated against in the process of obtaining their license and beginning their career.”

House Bill 2365 provides a clinical social worker with an alternative route to obtain a license, given they complete an additional 3,000 hours of supervision after having taken and not passed the Association of Social Work Boards license exam. The bill also allows applicants to receive supervised training from other approved areas if no licensed clinical social worker is available for those additional 3,000 hours.

Read more: Villa pushes to increase social worker diversity in the workforce

  1. Simmons ensures older residents have proper heating and cooling standards
  2. Villanueva implements legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize
  3. Simmons passes legislation protecting youth survivors of gender violence and human trafficking
  4. Senate Democrats lace up for cancer awareness

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Joyce appointed co-chair to newly established task force to retain firefighters and paramedics
Joyce appointed co-chair to newly established task force to retain firefighters and paramedics
KANKAKEE – A measure championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce earlier this year created the Recruiting and Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force, and recently, Senate President Don...

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Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
CHICAGO – Illinois will officially become the first state in the United States to end the use of cash bail on Monday, thanks to collaboration between Senator Peters, crime victim...

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The Majority Report 09/11/23 - Strengthening the EV supply chain
The Majority Report 09/11/23 - Strengthening the EV supply chain
Senate Democrats celebrate $2 billion EV battery manufacturing plant coming to Kankakee County MANTENO — Senate Democrats joined company leaders and local and state officials Friday to announce Gotion’s historic decision...

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Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support...

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Gillespie selected for prestigious Milbank Fellows Program
Gillespie selected for prestigious Milbank Fellows Program
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Ann Gillespie has been chosen to join the 2023-24 cohort of the Milbank Fellows Program, a 10-month leadership program focused on public policy to improve...

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The Majority Report 08/28/23 - Combating carjackings, supporting women in trades and more
The Majority Report 08/28/23 - Combating carjackings, supporting women in trades and more
Belt secures funding to tackle carjackings in Metro East EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force —...

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