CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Mary Gill announced a well-deserved pension victory for Chicago police officers born after 1966 as Senate Bill 1956 was signed into law on Friday.

“Chicago police officers will now receive the same level of retirement benefits that most other public employees do,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This change is only fair, as we’re all still dealing with higher cost of living.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham spearheaded legislation that expands access to savings accounts for people living with disabilities, known as the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

“ABLE accounts provide much-needed protections for people living with disabilities and their families by allowing them to build financial wellness without risking their federal government benefits,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We chose to expand this program because it’s proven to work and is a testament to our commitment to those who deserve our support.”

House Bill 3641 makes expansive changes to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program, which helps people with disabilities and their families save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for certain government benefits. The measure allows people over the age of 18 to start an IL ABLE account and enables the accounts to conserve additional benefits, such as VA benefits.

CHICAGO — Through the passage of the Senate Democrat-backed 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is launching $21 million in funding to develop 13 community-based contractor incubator hubs across the state.

“With a goal of moving Illinois toward a carbon-free future, the CEJA Contractor Incubator Hubs are critical to supporting clean energy contractors across Illinois,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This $21 million program will provide Illinois’ small businesses with the resources and tools necessary to prepare for a clean energy future.”

The program establishes a network of 13 community-based hubs across the state offering incubator services designed to assist clean energy contractors and small businesses – especially those from underserved areas – grow their businesses. The organizations that will run CEJA Contractor Incubator Hubs will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process.

CHICAGO – State Senator Bill Cunningham is alerting his constituents about big changes to how Illinois issues driver’s licenses. Starting September 1, anyone looking to renew their license, or get one for the first time, will have to make an appointment before visiting a Secretary of State office.

The new appointment-only program, called “Skip-the-Line,” is being introduced by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to end the dreaded ritual of waiting in line for hours to renew a driver’s license.

“This new approach should drastically improve the experience of getting a driver’s license in Illinois,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “However, it will take some getting used to for both motorists and the Secretary of State’s office, so it’s important that Illinois residents familiarize themselves with the appointment-only process to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

The easiest way to book an appointment is to visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.ilsos.gov. Visitors can easily search for appointments by facility, date and time. Those who do not have access to a computer or are uncomfortable using one can call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment with an operator.

Motorists seeking some other vehicle-related service, such as title and registration or renewing license plate stickers, are not required to make an appointment and can walk in to any Secretary of State facility. Many of those services can be accessed online as well.

In conjunction with the “Skip-the-Line” program, the Secretary of State’s office is changing operating hours at many of its facilities. Starting Sept. 1, the facilities closest to the 18th Senate District will operate as follows:

• Chicago South: 9901 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Midlothian: 14434 S. Pulaski Rd., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Bridgeview: 7358 W. 87th St., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. No Saturday hours.
• Orland Township: 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. No Saturday hours.

“Our goal is to eliminate the Time Tax that has plagued Illinoisans for years, forcing them to stand in long lines wasting time – just to conduct basic services,” Giannoulias said. “Extending hours and requiring appointments is the most efficient way to get the services you need quickly and without the headache of unpredictable wait times.”

For more information about the “Skip-the-Line” program, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham championed legislation to establish ethical guidelines to address ongoing concerns in the red light camera industry.

“We have seen numerous bad actors throughout local and state government,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation will put roadblocks in place to ensure that bad actors are punished for their crimes.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that ensures Chicago police officers, firefighters and paramedics who contracted COVID-19 while on the job will receive the disability benefits they earned.

“Chicago first responders are entitled to the exact same health and safety protections that were provided to other essential workers during the pandemic,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "If the Chicago police and fire pension funds are going to claim a legal technicality to refuse to protect our first responders, then the state legislature will have to step in to put protections in place. That is exactly what House Bill 3162 does — it requires the Chicago pension funds to grant the same COVID-19 presumption that all other workers receive.”

As a result of this presumption, affected police officers and firefighters would be entitled to 75% of their salary at the time of disability and duty disability benefits, instead of the current 50% under ordinary disability benefits. The legislation applies retroactively, providing relief to those who were denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while on the job.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has been leading the fight for passage of House Bill 3162. Her brother was denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while working 17 straight days before a vaccine was available in November 2020. Police Sergeant Joaquin Mendoza spent 72 days in the hospital, suffered kidney failure, had five strokes, and lost the use of his left arm. If he had been granted full duty disability, he would have received 75% of his salary and health insurance. His claim was denied and he was instead granted 50% of his salary for no more than four years, regardless of injury, and had his health insurance canceled.

“There are a few dozen officers and firefighters like Sgt. Mendoza who contracted COVID-19 on the job and have been unable to return to work because of the extent of their injuries,” Cunningham said. “House Bill 3162 will ensure they will be able to pay their bills, support their families, and keep their health insurance.”

House Bill 3162 passed the Senate on Friday and heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that presumes that Chicago police and firefighters who became disabled as a result of COVID-19 from March 9, 2020 to June 30, 2021, contracted COVID-19 while on the job.

"Let’s right the wrongs that have been done to those who put their lives on the line for the people of Chicago," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "As we’ve learned, this legislation is just the right thing to do for the emergency first responder community and I look forward to passing it through the Senate."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham passed a bill through the Senate on Friday, which aims to provide mental health support and education for law enforcement officers who are facing post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We are not passing any new mandate on law enforcement,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are creating a supportive resource that officers can utilize for specific traumatic situations and for PTSD."

The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator will be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve for a term of four years. The coordinator will be responsible for providing resources, information and assistance to law enforcement officers who may be experiencing PTSD symptoms or other mental health issues related to their work.