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Senate Democrats celebrate $113.8 million investment in Downstate transit
Senate Democrats celebrate $113.8 million investment in Downstate transit
Harmon elected Senate President, delivers message on public service and integrity
Harmon elected Senate President, delivers message on public service and integrity
Senator Villanueva increases abortion access and gender-affirming care for residents in Illinois
Senator Villanueva increases abortion access and gender-affirming care for residents in Illinois
Senate Democrats pass Protect Illinois Communities Act, ban assault weapons
Senate Democrats pass Protect Illinois Communities Act, ban assault weapons
Senators Villanueva, Pacione-Zayas support investments in early childhood initiatives
Senators Villanueva, Pacione-Zayas support investments in early childhood initiatives

Loughran Cappel law waives substitute teaching licenses

Details
Friday, May 13, 2022 08:52 PM

classroom

SPRINGFIELD – A newly signed law sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will waive application fees for short-term substitute teaching licenses.

“Over the past two years, every school across the state has had days when they have been unable to find substitute teachers,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure our students have access to teachers, and this new law will get teachers in the classroom.”

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are more than 4,000 unfilled positions in schools. In an attempt to address the void, Loughran Cappel’s plan will waive the application fee for short-term substitute teaching licensees when the governor declares a disaster due to a public health emergency.

Read more: Loughran Cappel law waives substitute teaching licenses

Fine’s new law increases access to specialized care for children living with serious illnesses

Details
Friday, May 13, 2022 08:34 PM

hospital bed with teddy bear

SPRINGFIELD – Private insurance will now cover specialized care for children living with serious illnesses while allowing the child to seek additional treatments, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that was recently signed into law.

“In Illinois, seriously ill children deserve consistency in high quality, child-centered care regardless of where they live and whether they have public or private health insurance,” Fine said. “This law will allow for more families to access this critical care without having to worry whether or not their insurance will cover the treatments.”

Under Fine’s law, patients with private insurance will now be covered for pediatric palliative care. Palliative care is a specialized medical care for people living with serious illnesses focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life with the medical condition. Some forms of this care include expert management of physical and emotional symptoms, as well as patient and family counseling.

Read more: Fine’s new law increases access to specialized care for children living with serious illnesses

Castro-supported measure to bring grants to people enrolled in apprenticeship programs

Details
Friday, May 13, 2022 08:31 PM

vocational training

ELGIN – A new law will create a program to help ensure people enrolled in apprenticeship or work-based learning programs have the financial resources they need to succeed. The law, signed Friday, was supported by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“This new pilot program will do wonders for encouraging people to get into the trades and helping those already enrolled in apprenticeship programs,” said Castro, a longtime advocate for career training and apprenticeships. “Reducing financial barriers will get more people into these programs and the workforce.”

The new law, formerly House Bill 5225, creates the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program will award grants to organizations to distribute subsidies to individuals participating in an apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or work-based learning program.

Read more: Castro-supported measure to bring grants to people enrolled in apprenticeship programs

Murphy’s law makes library resources more accessible for Illinois childre

Details
Friday, May 13, 2022 08:20 PM

Library books

SPRINGFIELD – Children living in unincorporated areas will no longer have to pay large non-resident fees to access resources in libraries outside of their district, thanks to a law led by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“It is long past time to increase access to library materials for our children who need to succeed and learn by reading,” Murphy said. “This law will ensure all children—regardless of where they live—will be able to gain knowledge through their local libraries.”

Currently, children who want to access resources from a library outside of their district must pay a non-resident fee. These fees are determined by each library’s board of trustees, and typically are at least equal to the cost paid by the residents of the district. However, the fees are often far too expensive for children who want to access resources, like reading materials or computers, during their school breaks. Murphy aims to address these disparities by waiving non-resident library fees for kids who want to expand their horizons through reading. 

Read more: Murphy’s law makes library resources more accessible for Illinois childre

  1. New Simmons law to strengthen lead mitigation procedures
  2. Loughran Cappel’s measure to reduce vehicle registration fee becomes law
  3. FFA Chapters get a boost thanks to Senator Joyce
  4. Gold Star Families to receive expanded recognition, support under Ellman law

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Pacione-Zayas appointed chair of newly formed Senate Early Childhood Committee
 Pacione-Zayas appointed chair of newly formed Senate Early Childhood Committee
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas is thrilled to announce she will serve as chair of the newly formed Senate Early Childhood Committee in the 103rd General Assembly. “As a...

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St. Clair and Madison Counties receive over $14 million to improve transportation with support from Belt
St. Clair and Madison Counties receive over $14 million to improve transportation with support from Belt
EAST ST. LOUIS – With the strong support of State Senator Christopher Belt, St. Clair and Madison Counties will receive over $14.6 million to improve transportation as part of the...

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Faraci announces $302,000 pre-apprenticeship program investment in Danville
Faraci announces $302,000 pre-apprenticeship program investment in Danville
  DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College is set to receive $302,000 in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs in the trades, State Senator Paul Faraci announced Monday. “Pre-apprenticeship programs play a vital role...

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Senator Halpin announces more than $3 million coming to Macomb
Senator Halpin announces more than $3 million coming to Macomb
  MACOMB – With the support of State Senator Mike Halpin, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the City of Macomb will receive $3.25 million to improve transportation as part of...

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Senator Koehler announces more than $5 million coming to Greater Peoria area for transit upgrades
Senator Koehler announces more than $5 million coming to Greater Peoria area for transit upgrades
  PEORIA – With the support of State Senator Dave Koehler, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District – known as CityLink – will receive $5.3...

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Belt named chair of Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee
Belt named chair of Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee
  SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt will serve as chair of the Senate Appropriations-Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee in the 103rd General Assembly. “In my new role I want to ensure...

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Senate President Don Harmon © 2023 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
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