SPRINGFIELD – To help alleviate the nationwide teacher shortage, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) supported the passage of a package of legislative measures to help recruit substitute teachers, teacher assistants and support educators in the classroom.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are more than 4,000 unfilled positions in schools. Hastings believes a multifaceted approach is necessary to address the void.

“Like most states across the nation, Illinois is facing a teacher shortage,” Hastings said. “It is vital that we work with our schools administrators and teachers to help recruit and retrain staff to help educate and mentor the future leaders of our great state.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) helped pass a measure to provide relief to teachers purchasing school supplies for their classrooms.

Hastings is a chief co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1143, which creates a tax credit to help educators cover the cost of out-of-pocket classroom expenses such as books, school supplies, notebooks and computer equipment up to $300, beginning in taxable year 2023.

“Our educators work tirelessly to prioritize the success of our children,’ Hastings said. “At times unfortunately, that means they need to pay out-of-pocket expenses to ensure students have the tools to learn and grow. While we work to end this crisis, it is essential we support our educators.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) passed a measure to create greater access to the MIA/POW Scholarship for children of veterans.

“This measure will give aid to families that have already made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Hastings. “Helping our veterans’ children afford a college education is the least we could do to thank them for their service.”

Under Hastings’ measure, legally adopted dependents under the age of 18 at the time of adoption and step-children who were under the age of 18 at the time of marriage would be eligible for the MIA/POW Scholarship.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) offered the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“This is a good starting point as we start budget negotiations,” Hastings said. “It is crucial that we remember to be cognizant of the recent federal assistance we received while crafting this year’s budget and use this time to prepare for when this assistance is no longer available.”

The budget proposal builds upon the state’s promise to allocate money toward the K-12 education evidence-based funding formula, and it increases funds for early childhood education, state universities, and career and technical education programs.

FRANKFORT –Dozens of local businesses were recently awarded more than $1.5 million in funding from the Back to Business Program to aid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the support of State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort).

“COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on small businesses, especially in service and tourism industries,” Hastings said. “These grants will provide essential assistance to ensure local businesses can recover financially, as well as ensure they are able to serve their community as safely as possible.”

FRANKFORT – The City of Markham is set to receive $900,000 in grants to revitalize the local business community, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort).

Markham will receive funding from the Illinois Department of Economic Development to enhance and provide additional services to local businesses through its Rebuild Distressed Communities program. The grant is made possible by the state’s historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan, which Hastings was proud to support in 2019.

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is reminding the residents of the fighting 19^th District to support local businesses this holiday season.

As families kick off their shopping this year, Hastings urges people to frequent local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27.

“When you support local businesses you are investing directly in our communities,” Hastings said. “These local dollars are going toward creating jobs for our friends and neighbors, and improving our roads, streets and bridges.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois now has a new law on the books to help incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to set up shop and generate good paying jobs in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) championed the historic House Bill 1769, the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, which was signed into law on Tuesday. This new law builds on Hastings’ work to make Illinois a leader in manufacturing electric vehicles and decreasing carbon emissions.

“This new law sends out a signal to businesses across the globe that Illinoisans are ready to work,” Hastings said. “Growing the state’s green economy sets us up to generate jobs of the future while reducing the state’s carbon footprint.”

The law comes on the heels of the state’s historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. House Bill 1769 includes tax credits to incentivize manufactures to make Illinois a hub for electric vehicle and auto battery production, as well as allowing local jurisdictions to abate property taxes for electric vehicle projects.

Earlier this year, Lion Electric Company, a Canadian-based manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced plans to build the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Joliet.

“I am proud we are working actively to modernize the state’s economy to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers to make Illinois their home,” Hastings said. “Now is the time to reshape the state’s transportation sector to clear the way to reduce carbon emissions and secure good paying jobs for the people of the southland.” 

Illinois currently ranks ninth in the nation for auto production, employing more than 30,000 people. An additional 36,000 work at auto parts makers in the state, according to the Illinois Manufacturing Association. The state is already home to more than 5,000 workers in the electronic transportation industry, and these numbers are expected to double in the next two years.

House Bill 1769 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. 

To learn more about the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Program, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website here.