Hastings champions measure to curb organized retail crime

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois retailers will soon have a law on the books to help curb organized retail crime and hold ringleaders accountable, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort), serves as a chief-cosponsor of House Bill 1091, which cracks down on smash and grabs and targets the organizers of retail crime to help promote economic growth and give Illinois businesses the tools to hold perpetrators responsible.

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Connor law ensures teachers found to have engaged in sexual misconduct can’t teach elsewhere

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) championed a newly signed law to ensure that when a teacher is found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student and seeks a teaching position at another school, that school would be made aware of the situation. 

“This law changes how incidents of sexual misconduct involving teachers are handled by school districts and the State Board of Education,” said Connor. “In the past, predatory teachers could hide behind the privacy protections of personnel records to go from one school district to the next and victimize more children.”

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HIRE360 receives $3 million for new training center

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) stood alongside Governor JB Pritzker and others Monday to announce a $3 million investment in HIRE360’s new training and development center in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood.

It previously received $550,000 in funding through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

“Earlier this year, I was happy to see HIRE360 receive half a million dollars in much-needed investments to supplement their pre-apprenticeship program needs. Today, I am ecstatic for the $3 million in additional funding toward a brand new training and development center,” Hunter said. “This amazing investment not only supports our organizations and workers, but our local economy as well.”

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Joyce proposal will maximize federal dollars for broadband expansion

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) to increase Illinois’ ability to capture federal funding for broadband under the federal Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act was signed into law on Tuesday.

“Bringing access to internet to every citizen in Illinois is crucial,” Joyce said. “This initiative helps Illinois capture up to $1.6 billion in federal dollars to expand broadband services.”

The intent of this legislation is to bring more legislative oversight and allow for public input on where best to allocate broadband funding. Joyce put forth the proposal earlier in session, which was then put in the final BIMP bill.

Read more: Joyce proposal will maximize federal dollars for broadband expansion