Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students experiencing homelessness are aware of available resources, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) has created a housing insecurity liaison position at all higher education institutions in Illinois.

“Students without permanent housing may not be aware of the resources available to them on campus and in their communities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By creating a housing insecurity liaison, we are working to prevent homeless students from falling through the cracks by connecting them with aid.”

Glowiak Hilton’s law requires each institution to appoint a Housing and Opportunities Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaison. Their responsibilities would include identifying appropriate services, understanding aid eligibility, tracking graduation and retention rates, reporting the number of students using homelessness resources, and developing a plan to provide access to on-campus housing between academic breaks to homeless students enrolled at the institution.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Moody’s Investor Services has upgraded Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating for the first time in more than 20 years, and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is crediting the General Assembly’s work to get the state to this point. 

“Moody’s upgrade indicates our state is making responsible budgetary decisions—it should give Illinois taxpayers a sense of relief,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By enacting balanced budgets and prioritizing fiscal stability in recent years, we’ve put Illinois on a path to a brighter future.”

Moody’s Investors Services, one of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies, recently upgraded Illinois’ General Obligation bonds a step closer to the top rating. The upgrade signals a more stable outlook for Illinois’ economy, meaning state borrowing will cost less, which will in turn save taxpayers money.

The analysis highlighted the Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the upgrade. Moody’s stated increased pension contributions, repayment of emergency Federal Reserve borrowings, and constrained use of federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act are to thank for the increased rating. 

This is the second positive rating action for Illinois in a week, following an outlook improvement from Fitch.

SPRINGFIELD – As the state begins to recover from the pandemic, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D- Western Springs) urges Gov. JB Pritzker to sign legislation to help small businesses bounce back from the stresses of the last year.

“Our small businesses need our help easing the financial burdens the last year has put on them,” said Glowiak Hilton, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “Local governments should be able to make the decision to waive certain fees to allow these businesses to get back to a place of economic security.”

If signed, House Bill 2454 would create an option for local counties and municipalities to waive licensing, permitting, or registration fees for local businesses and services for businesses who demonstrate financial need due to the pandemic.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Fitch Ratings has revised its outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive, and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) applauds the upgrade as a direct result of responsible spending.

“In recent years, Illinois has taken steps toward fiscal stability by including cost-saving initiatives in our state budget, such as cutting down the bill backlog and reducing our reliance on borrowing,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Responsible budget decisions are critical to the fiscal health of our state, and this upgrade signals Illinois is on the path to recovery.”

Fitch’s is the third ratings agency to upgrade the state’s forecast, in addition to Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To provide residents with safe local travel and recreation options, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) announced a state investment to construct a bike and pedestrian path in Elmhurst.

“Bike paths provide a safe public space for residents, families and visitors to be physically active and enjoy the outdoors,” Glowiak Hilton said. “This major investment will allow residents to enjoy even more opportunities for safe transportation and recreation, as well as attract visitors to our area.”

The notable project in the 24th District includes $198,000 to build a pedestrian overpass above Route 83 in Elmhurst.

Rebuild Illinois is awarding $105.7 million to 99 projects statewide, including recreational paths and trails, through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. A complete list can be found on IDOT’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – To memorialize a remarkable child’s life after his battle with cancer, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced a resolution through the Senate to rename 47th Street Bridge over Interstate 294 in Hinsdale after Brooks Tonn.

“Throughout his battle, Brooks was an inspiration to all who knew him by responding with positivity and resilience,” Glowiak Hilton. “With this prominent bridge dedication, his memory will be permanently celebrated in the Hinsdale community and serve as a reminder to all of his courage.”

For the last three and a half years, the bridge’s fence has been decorated with plastic cups spelling out “Brooks Strong.” Community members first decorated the bridge to show support for the Tonn family during Brooks’s fight against a rare childhood cancer, to which he succumbed in 2017, when he was only 10 years old.

To honor his generous spirit, the Tonn family created the Brooks Strong Foundation, which provides funding for pediatric cancer research and gives scholarships to children undergoing cancer treatment to cover the cost of sports or other activities.

House Joint Resolution 13 was adopted by the Senate Tuesday with unanimous support.

SPRINGFIELD – Taking into account bipartisan input from lawmakers regarding the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s role in the state’s pandemic response, the Senate approved revisions to the agency’s unemployment benefits process with the support of State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Shortly after the pandemic started, IDES’s system was overwhelmed by applications, fraudulent claims and scammers,” Glowiak Hilton said. “These initiatives will work to ensure residents are protected against scammers and better equip IDES to handle a high volume of requests.”

The proposal was drafted using input from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to address concerns and enact solutions to IDES’s handling of the unemployment benefits application process.

SPRINGFIELD – After it passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) hopes her initiative will improve student access to mental health education and resources by allowing partnerships between state agencies.

“As our schools recover from numerous pandemic-related challenges, our state must prioritize our students’ well-being,” Glowiak Hilton said. “To ensure children are receiving the best mental health services at school, this proposal allows two key state agencies to work together to improve prevention and treatment resources.”

An initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education, Glowiak Hilton’s proposal allows board officials to collaborate with the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) to give students access to a wider range of mental health resources at school.