SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate today approved legislation sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) aimed at making daylight saving time the year-round standard in Illinois.

The inspiration for Senate Bill 533 came from a group of students from Carlinville High School, who presented the idea to Senator Manar as part of a civics class project.

“It was a well-thought out proposal that I felt deserved consideration in Springfield. Given the loss of productivity caused by the arbitrary daylight saving time change, and the various health and safety concerns that are supported by research, this proposal makes a lot of sense,” Manar said. “What’s most important is that this group is an example of how young people can step up and engage their elected officials to enact changes they want to see in government.”

SPRINGFIELD – Throughout American history, only 32 individuals have lain in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, an honor reserved for the most esteemed American military heroes and statesmen. State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) wants to extend that privilege to the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II as a tribute to all 16 million Americans, often referred to as the “Greatest Generation,” who served in our Armed Forces from 1939 to 1945.

Senate Joint Resolution 50 would urge the President and the United States Congress to take all necessary measures to ensure the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II be offered a state funeral, including, but not limited to, the option to lie in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed the 2019 Pana Solar Car Team to the Illinois State Capitol today to showcase their car and be recognized before the Illinois Senate.

After months of designing and building a roadworthy solar-powered car, the from Pana High School captured a national championship at the 2019 Solar Car Challenge this summer at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Led by senior Lucas Duduit, the rest of the four-member team consisted of sophomores Boone Elledge, Jessica Pollman and Katelyn Townsend.

“This team exemplifies just how remarkable and innovative our students can be when given the appropriate tech resources and instruction,” Manar said. “It’s my privilege to welcome them to the Senate.”

Manar presented each member of the team with a congratulatory certificate for their success as national champions on behalf of the Illinois Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative to reign in the soaring cost of insulin for diabetes patients moved forward today.

Senate Bill 667, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), would cap co-payments for insulin at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require. The cap would only apply to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state. The legislation was approved 15-3-1 by the Senate Insurance Committee.

“For over a million Illinois residents, insulin is an absolute necessity. Without it, they will die,” Manar said. “Pharmaceutical companies are leveraging that fact in order to maximize profits. It’s time we hold them accountable.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences.

SPRINGFIELD - Major investments in Old Route 66, Interstate 55, and Illinois Route 16 in Montgomery County will be included in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) new five-year infrastructure plan, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced this week.

The Multi-Year Plan released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday designates $49.8 million for resurfacing, new bridge decks and other improvements to I-55 within Montgomery County, including $22 million for pavement rehabilitation over the nine-mile stretch between IL-16 and IL-108.

The plan also includes $7 million for pavement rehabilitation to IL-16 over the 13-mile stretch from Frey Ave. in Schram City to Gibson St. in Nokomis.

Old Route 66 will receive $3.4 million worth of pavement rehabilitation to the 1.7-mile stretch south of the Sangamon County line, the three-mile stretch between IL-127 and IL-108, and from 3.5 miles north of Farmersville to just east of I-55.

“Safe and reliable transportation is imperative to our economic viability and way of life in Central Illinois, especially in rural communities where ambulances, school buses, and commuting workers spend more time on the road,” Manar said. “These much-needed improvements will foster economic growth, create good-paying jobs, and make daily transportation safer for Montgomery County families. I’m thankful that IDOT is making these improvements a top priority and look forward to working with them to see these projects through.”

SPRINGFIELD - Major investments in IL-48, IL-29 and local roads in Christian County will be included in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s new five-year infrastructure plan, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced this week.

The Multi-Year Plan released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday designates $34 million for 15 road and bridge projects in Christian County, including $8.9 million for 15 miles of pavement rehabilitation of IL-48 between Taylorville and the Montgomery County line. The plan also includes $7.1 million for pavement rehabilitation on IL-29 over the 10-mile stretch between Velma Rd. just south of Taylorville to Magnolia St. in Pana.

Lincoln Trail in Taylorville will undergo a 2.5-mile pavement rehabilitation project between IL-48 and 1350 North Rd, while McAdam Dr. will see .57 miles of pavement rehabilitation between IL-48 and IL-29.

“Safe and reliable transportation is imperative to our economic viability and way of life in Central Illinois, especially in rural communities where ambulances, school buses, and commuting workers spend more time on the road,” Manar said. “These much-needed improvements will foster economic growth, create good-paying jobs, and make daily transportation safer for Montgomery County families. I’m thankful that IDOT is making these improvements a top priority and look forward to working with them to see these projects through.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) announced that the newly released Illinois Department of Transportation five-year Highway Improvement Program includes a major investment in Illinois Route 159 in Bunker Hill.

The Highway Improvement Program released by Governor JB Pritzker and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Monday includes $3 million for repaving of IL-159 and the new construction of curbing and storm sewers along the state route from North Street to Alton Street within Bunker Hill.

“Like many in my hometown, I recognize that the drainage issues and unsightly ditches along Washington Street in Bunker Hill need to be addressed. It’s long overdue and I’m pleased that IDOT will finally take this much needed step to invest in our community,” Manar said. “I deeply appreciate the advocacy of Mayor Betty Phelps and the city council to help get this done.”

The project in Bunker Hill is one of 110 separate projects in the Senate district Manar represents, totaling approximately $357 million. These projects include major bridge repairs and the resurfacing of 250 miles of state roads.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation and other state leaders Monday afternoon to unveil IDOT’s Multi-Year Improvement Program to improve road and bridge projects across the state. The Multi-Year Plan is the highlight of Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Program and marks a historic investment in Illinois infrastructure.

The capital infrastructure plan, which will invest $23.5 billion in improving and expanding roads and bridges, is more than double the size of the previous year’s Multi-Year Plan. Projects outlined in the plan will cover 4,212 miles of roadway and 9.2 million square feet of bridge deck statewide over the next six years.

“All together, these road and bridge projects will create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next five years for hardworking Illinoisans in every part of our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois has some of the most important roads in America – let’s make them outlast and outperform those across the nation.”