Belt advances measure to simplify college admissions process for Illinois students
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure to simplify the college admissions process for high school seniors and community college transfer students.
“To keep more students in our state for college, we have to make the application process as seamless as possible,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We have done a lot of work on the admission process in Illinois in recent years, and this measure is another step in the right direction.”
Senate Bill 2448 would reduce barriers for students by offering direct admission to qualified applicants at all public institutions of higher education and community colleges that participate in the program. Under the legislation, students would no longer face the burden of repeated application processes or unnecessary application fees, ensuring a smoother transition into postsecondary education.
Read more: Belt advances measure to simplify college admissions process for Illinois students
Villa measure fortifying housing laws advances
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SPRINGFIELD – To combat housing insecurity and uphold human rights, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would place restrictions on municipal and county crime-free and nuisance property ordinances (CFNOs).
“Ensuring that our communities are safe is a top priority, but misguided crime-free housing and nuisance property ordinances can do more harm than good in our communities,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Individuals should not fear eviction as a result of contacting police. This is counterintuitive and puts the lives of vulnerable and working-class families at risk.”
CFNOs often require landlords to deny housing, evict, fine or penalize tenants for general connection to criminal activity. The breadth of these ordinances leads to unfair penalties and evictions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups who are more likely to contact law enforcement agencies.
Guzmán advances affordable housing measure, incentivizes purchase of community land trusts
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SPRINGFIELD —Thanks to a new initiative from State Senator Graciela Guzmán to expand the accepted payment plans for homes through community land trusts, more people may soon have the opportunity to become homeowners.
“Housing is a human right. We should be doing everything in our power to make it more affordable and accessible for everyday Illinoisans, including homeownership,” said Guzmán. “Community land trusts are a great pathway to make the dream of homeownership a reality and allow for folks to have more stability in their living situation. I am excited that this initiative will work to make this method of landownership more common, and to continue to build on the ingenuity of their model.”
Community land trusts, or CLTs, are community-based, nonprofit organizations that manage a parcel of land to preserve long-term affordability of homes created through subsidies. CLTs sell homes on the land they manage at affordable prices to a qualifying homebuyer. Oftentimes, they place limits on the incomes of people looking to purchase homes to ensure affordable housing is going to people in the most financial need. Driven by constituents, for constituents, this model aims to keep folks in the community that may otherwise be priced out by corporate rent and mortgage rates.
Porfirio takes initiative to improve rooftop safety for first responders
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SPRINGFIELD — A new initiative by State Senator Mike Porfirio could improve safety for thousands of first responders across Illinois, following the tragic passing of Andrew Price, a Chicago firefighter who fell through a light shaft while fearlessly suppressing a fire on the roof of a restaurant.
“First responders like Andrew risk their lives for us every day,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “We owe it to him and all those who serve us to take any steps we can to improve their safety.”
Porfirio’s proposed bill targets the risks firefighters face as they traverse roofs with light shafts, open courts and skylights. The bill would require roof openings to be covered or for a parapet to be built around them to increase their safety. The bill also would require local municipalities to complete a survey of buildings under their jurisdiction to share with local police and fire departments. Existing buildings with flat roof openings would be integrated over time and not require immediate modifications.
Read more: Porfirio takes initiative to improve rooftop safety for first responders
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