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Latino Caucus celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by engaging the community and honoring trailblazers

Lightford among top notable Black leaders in Illinois

Senate Democrats celebrate over $305 million in federal grant funding to support infrastructure projects

September is National Preparedness Month

Villanueva law safeguards and upholds reproductive rights

Edly-Allen leads measure to create inclusive new public safety task force

Details: Wednesday, May 01, 2024 05:20 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) advanced legislation through the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday to create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force.

“This legislation is a public safety win for both residents and law enforcement,” said Edly-Allen. “By bringing law enforcement agencies, academics, and experts together, the task force members will work together to help respond to the needs of neighborhoods and communities across Lake County and our state.”

House Bill 2323 will create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force. The group would meet at least quarterly to assist the State Police in the development and implementation of an integrated software system for gathering and publishing crime data from all law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Hunter highlights service, advocacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority

Details: Wednesday, May 01, 2024 04:00 PM

Hunter SPRINGFIELD — A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, State Senator Mattie Hunter declared May 1, 2024 as AKA Day in Illinois in recognition of the sorority’s history of uplifting women, building friendships and giving back to the community.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha is a cornerstone of the African American community, providing a platform for service and sisterhood,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Throughout the country and beyond, AKA chapters play an important role in empowering Black women, equipping them with the skills and support needed to become leaders of positive change.”

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest African American sorority in the United States. With over 360,000 members in chapters across the world, AKA’s mission is to cultivate scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning women, maintain a progressive interest in college life and be of “service to all mankind.”

Villa measure expanding bilingual health care workforce advances

Details: Wednesday, May 01, 2024 03:33 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would promote a more bilingual health care workforce by expanding opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants.

“Bilingual health care workers are an extremely important asset in our communities considering the diversity of our state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Effective communication between patients and health care providers is essential for people to understand their treatment and advocate for their care.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish. The measure would also prevent restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

Johnson advances measure to prohibit corporal punishment in private schools

Details: Wednesday, May 01, 2024 03:23 PM

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students across the state are kept safe and treated with respect at school, State Senator Adriane Johnson is leading a measure to address corporal punishment against students in private and non-public schools.

“Corporal punishment should never be used in schools. It is not only harmful physically, but it also teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Illinois students deserve equal protection under the law, no matter where they attend school.”

House Bill 4175 would prohibit the use of corporal and physical punishment in all schools in Illinois, except the use of certain restraints in specific circumstances to prevent a student from imminently harming themselves or others. Currently, physical punishment is only explicitly prohibited in public schools. Johnson’s measure would extend the prohibition to all private and non-public schools.

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Preston announces $1.5 million to save Pike House

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston joined the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, Beverly Area Arts Alliance and Commissioner Stanley Moore Saturday to announce significant state funding secured by Preston to save, renovate and reinvigorate the Pike...

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Funding for workforce training coming to 20th District thanks to Toro

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including more than $280,000 for workforce training i...

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Holmes joins Morrison on new law clarifying drone use in communities

AURORA – In 2023, State Senator Linda Holmes collaborated with State Senator Julie Morrison to allow law enforcement agencies to use drones for public safety. This year, they cosponsored Senate Bill 2849 to give local governments authority to set rea...

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Holmes announces $4.5 million in Illinois EPA’s no-interest loans to replace lead water lines in Batavia

AURORA – An additional $4.5 million has been provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for Batavia’s ongoing lead water line replacement program, State Senator Linda Holmes announced Friday. The city will replace approximately 150 lead...

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Preston applauds FDA ban on brominated vegetable oil

CHICAGO - Senator Willie Preston commended the Food and Drug Administration for its decision to ban brominated vegetable oil, a harmful food additive that has posed significant health risks to consumers for decades. "It’s great that the FDA has final...

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