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.”

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Undocumented college students could get help with on-campus programs under Villa legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Undocumented college students could find tailored support on campus under legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Wednesday.

“Undocumented students on campus may be under an immense amount of stress regarding their immigration status, in addition to the already stressful higher education experience,” Villa said. “A dedicated liaison will help ensure students have equitable and inclusive access to campus programs.”

The legislation would require public universities and community colleges in Illinois to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison, as well as encourage schools to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus to assist undocumented students.

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Holmes works to stop predatory contract loan practice in pet stores

SPRINGFIELD –There are 17 pet stores in Illinois that offer predatory installment contract loans for the purchase of a cat or dog. House Bill 572, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to prohibit these loans, passed the Senate Commerce Committee today.

“This is predatory lending with interest rates anywhere from 30 to 150 percent and higher,” Holmes said. “Most pet stores have issues with their animals coming from unprincipled breeders and puppy mills, which means many of their customers buy a pet for thousands of dollars that could be in poor health and may possibly die. Those consumers can end up thousands in debt and grieving as well.”

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Senator Bush champions measure to expand birth control access

SPRINGFIELD – To expand access to birth control – especially for women with limited financial resources – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is championing a measure to allow people to receive contraceptives without visiting a doctor.

“Birth control is a basic health care service and should be treated as such,” Bush said. “Providing greater access to contraceptives is providing a more equitable health care system.”

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