BLOOMINGTON – Members of the Illinois General Assembly joined the Illinois Farm Bureau Wednesday for a press conference discussing the Family Farm Preservation Act – a measure being spearheaded by State Senator Dave Koehler and State Representative Sharon Chung.
“This measure is designed to protect farmers and their families by ensuring they can afford to keep their land,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “In many instances, families have to sell their land after the loss of a loved one simply because it’s too expensive. This will give families the opportunity to continue passing down their farm from generation to generation.”
Read more: Legislators, Farm Bureau lead effort to protect family farms
CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. received the Illinois Outstanding Legislator of the Year award from the Illinois Parks Association.
“Parks are at the heart of our communities, where families and neighbors gather to grow, prosper, and make priceless memories,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Bringing forth the concerns of our constituents and crafting policies that will make a meaningful impact to everyday problems faced by residents is our top priority as a legislative body."
The Illinois Association of Park Districts recognizes legislators for their exceptional support of legislation promoting park districts, forest preserves, recreation and conservation agencies across Illinois. Sims has been a longtime advocate for Illinois parks and is proud to continue to support park districts across Illinois through initiatives like the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program.
SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to shield Illinois employers from costly lawsuits without rolling back the state’s strict digital privacy protections, State Senator Bill Cunningham filed Senate Bill 2979, which makes changes to the liability guidelines in the Biometric Information Privacy Act.
“Given the rash of cybersecurity breaches we hear about, Illinoisans should be proud that we have arguably the strongest digital privacy laws in the nation. However, our laws have not kept up with changes in technology, which has left some small businesses facing overwhelming financial liabilities,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “SB 2979 will keep the current privacy restrictions in place and hold violators accountable, as well as ensure businesses are not unfairly punished for technical violations of the law.”
Read more: Cunningham legislation reforms BIPA while protecting businesses and employees
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging local grocers to apply for funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative for the purchase of updated energy-efficient equipment.
“We must do everything in our power to eliminate the food deserts across our state,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Through these grants, local grocers will be able to maintain residents’ access to fresh food.”
Rising energy costs lead to outdated equipment, which presents a major expense for small community grocers. Under the Equipment Upgrades Program, eligible grocers can apply for grants to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; refrigeration units and freezers; lighting systems; and other systems providing significant energy savings.
Read more: Turner announces $3.5 million in grants available for grocery store equipment upgrades
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