SPRINGFIELD – Unions would have a greater say in issues that affect the wellbeing of workers thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker Friday.

House Bill 2301 would require state regulatory boards impacting workers in Illinois to include a representative from a recognized labor organization. These board impact the Department of Employment Security, Department of Natural Resources and the Workers' Compensation Commission.

The boards and panels under these state agencies handle issues that directly impact the lives of Illinois workers, such as workers compensation benefits and workplace safety regulations.

“These groups make many of the difficult decisions that can significantly impact the physical and financial well-being of working men and women and their families in our state and it’s only fair that they get an appropriate say in those matters,” Manar said.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar issued the following statement in response to the announcement of Mueller Water Products’ plans to build a new, state of the art foundry in Decatur:

“Mueller has been a major contributor to the economic vitality of the City of Decatur since their founding over 160 years ago. I want to thank Mueller for their continued investment and dedication to this community.

“This new, multi-year project represents new opportunities for the people of Decatur and will create hundreds of jobs both in the construction and operational stages of the facility.

“With low unemployment, cutting edge workforce development, and continued economic expansion, progress is continuing in Decatur and Macon County.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new bipartisan task force will be created to find ways to save taxpayers money under a new law sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Senate Bill 1932 creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force, which will explore potential solutions to reducing Illinois’ high property tax rates and make recommendations to the General Assembly.

“For years our state had a regressive school funding formula that drove up rates and placed the majority of the burden on property owners,” Manar said. “Taxpayers have been forced to pay these exorbitant rates for far too long and it’s time to take a serious look at ways to resolve this problem.”

The task force will be made up of a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives as well as individuals appointed by the governor.

The following Democratic senators will serve on the task force: Sen. Christopher Belt, Sen. Melinda Bush, Sen. Cristina Castro, Sen. Rachelle Crowe, Sen. Tom Cullerton, Sen. Bill Cunningham, Sen. Laura Ellman, Sen. Laura Fine, Sen. Anne Gillespie, Sen. Suzy Glowiak, Sen. Don Harmon, Sen. Napoleon Harris, Sen. Linda Holmes, Sen. Mattie Hunter, Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Sen. Terry Link, Sen. Andy Manar, Sen. Iris Martinez, Sen. Robert Martwick, Sen. Julie Morrison, Sen. Laura Murphy, Sen. Robert Peters, Sen. Elgie Sims, Sen. Steve Stadelman, Sen. Heather Steans and Sen. Ram Villivalam.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) that seeks to increase Illinois’ Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rate became law after being signed by Gov. JB Pritzker today.

“We need to make sure every student is aware of what the FAFSA is and the benefits they can derive from it,” Manar said. “Tuition rates are skyrocketing and students should be empowered to use every tool they have to deal with increasing costs.”

House Bill 2719 would require all students graduating high school to complete the FAFSA.

If a student does not wish to fill out the FAFSA, he or she has the option to fill out a waiver acknowledging that they know what the FAFSA is and they have chosen not to file it. Students are also exempt if they are unable to meet the requirement due to extenuating circumstances as determined by a principal.

“Not every student wishes to complete the FAFSA and that’s why we wanted to make sure we included a provision allowing students to opt out of the requirement,” Manar said. “This measure would allow us to maximize the number of students who apply for and receive federal student aid without creating an undue burden that stops some students from graduating.”

DECATUR – The Decatur Public Library is the recipient of a $14,600 mentoring grant from the Illinois secretary of state, State Senator Andy Manar announced.

The grant was awarded through the FY20 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help with developing life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

Decatur is one of 29 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.

“I’m glad to see that the secretary of state is committed to investing in public libraries and underserved youth in Illinois,” Manar (D-Bunker Hill) said. “This grant will help provide at-risk students in Decatur with the tools they need to be successful both now and in the future when pursue a college degree or prepare to enter the job market.”

DECATUR – State Senator Andy Manar joined Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development Acting Director Erin Guthrie and representatives from the business and labor communities for a tour of Richland Community College’s workforce development facilities Wednesday.

“There’s incredible opportunity in the Decatur area and Richland is doing an excellent job of making sure there are qualified individuals ready to take advantage of those opportunities,” said Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat. “And after touring their facilities today, I’m certain that the EnRich program will be instrumental to the economic growth of the community going forward.”

For the past two fiscal years, Manar has helped secure $1.5 million grants through DCEO to help the college expand its workforce development programs.

The additional funds have helped Richland grow its EnRich program, which provides both technical and essential skills training to individuals to help grow the area’s workforce.

Updated: 07/19/19

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar is calling for a full review of state contracts and funding awarded to Land of Lincoln Goodwill following the nonprofit’s decision to pull paychecks from disabled workers.

The nonprofit initially told dozens of workers with disabilities that they would be laid off due to the state’s increase in the minimum wage even though the one dollar per hour increase doesn’t take effect for five months and it is exempt by the U.S. Department of Labor from paying these employees the minimum wage. It recently reversed its decision, allowing those workers to keep their jobs, and its CEO resigned.

“An organization that eliminates opportunity for the most vulnerable people in the state while simultaneously driving up executive compensation should be ashamed of itself,” said Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat. “Blaming a minimum wage increase that hasn’t even gone into effect and that does not apply to these workers after receiving an increase in taxpayer funding is unacceptable.”