Belt legislation updating university admissions in Illinois advances

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) allowing students to choose whether or not to submit their ACT and SAT scores when applying to Illinois colleges and universities passed the General Assembly on Tuesday.

“Test anxieties are real. We know standardized tests are not reliable indicators of graduation rates,” Belt said. “Taking a snapshot of a student’s high school years and reducing it down to a single test isn't fair.”

The measure creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act, which would prohibit Illinois’ public universities from relying solely on a student’s ACT or SAT score to make an admissions decision.

Read more: Belt legislation updating university admissions in Illinois advances

Senator Bush fights for clean drinking water

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has more lead lines that bring drinking water into homes than any other state. To make sure communities have the money to replace those lines and keep drinking water safe, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) has spearheaded the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in the Senate.

“Lead service lines are a health threat that poisons our children, undermines our residents’ confidence in our municipal government and costs billions of dollars,” Bush said. “This measure is a feasible and equitable path forward that would require all cities in Illinois to tackle a problem that we know harms Black and Latinx communities the most.”

Read more: Senator Bush fights for clean drinking water

Belt measure would provide financial assistance for utility bills

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that would allow water and sewer utilities to provide an additional financial assistance program passed committee on Thursday.

“Water and sewer services are essential services. You need them to live. Unfortunately, it’s often the case that low-income customers cannot afford their monthly bills,” Belt said. “This measure would help lessen that financial burden for these customers.” 

Utility providers can choose to opt-in to the program, managed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to ensure low-income citizens’ water and sewer services are available and affordable.

Read more: Belt measure would provide financial assistance for utility bills

Connor advances measure making it easier for people with disabilities and older adults to qualify for property tax breaks

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) that automatically extends homestead exemptions for civilians and veterans with disabilities, as well as senior citizens, advanced out of the Senate Revenue committee Wednesday evening.

“The past year has been challenging for all of us,” Connor said. “As we work to provide relief, we must lend a helping hand to people who were already struggling before the pandemic.”

Read more: Connor advances measure making it easier for people with disabilities and older adults to qualify...