SPRINGFIELD – A measure spearheaded by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) that would sufficiently honor members of the Illinois National Guard in death passed the Senate Veterans Affairs committee Tuesday.

“The presentation of a flag, whether it’s a state flag or the American flag, to the families of fallen soldiers is a crucial tradition that dates back centuries,” Hastings said. “No soldier’s life should go unrecognized, so I am pleased my colleagues on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee saw fit to extend this privilege to more of our state’s fallen National Guardsmen and women.”

CLINTON – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) and State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) traveled to the Clinton Power Station Thursday to tour the facility and meet with employees.

“As a devastating energy crisis unfolds in Texas due to winter storms, consumers are experiencing skyrocketing natural gas prices. This demonstrates how essential our nuclear fleet is to reliable energy production in Illinois,” said Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Public Utilities and Energy Committee. “Rest assured, when the time comes, I will be prepared to do everything I can to protect our existing clean energy infrastructure.”

This is Hastings’ sixth power plant tour in recent months, as his committee begins its work this spring on the future of the state's energy policy. Exelon has indicated it will close more nuclear plants this year unless it receives additional aid, and state lawmakers are expected to discuss the future of clean energy in Illinois thoroughly this session.

Joining Hastings on the tour was State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield).

“The situation in Texas serves as a harsh reminder of what can happen when state government neglects existing energy infrastructure and fails to innovate. Everyday Texans are still enduring unusually frigid temperatures without access to heat and water. This simply cannot be allowed to happen in Illinois,” Turner said. “I look forward to working to ensure that our state’s energy infrastructure remains state-of-the-art, implement training programs for people transitioning to a job in a new energy sector and protect existing, good-paying jobs Downstate.”

The Clinton Power Station has the ability to generate nearly 1,069 net megawatts, enough electricity to power about 1 million average American homes. The 5,000-acre cooling lake is formed by a dam built at the convergence of Salt Creek and the North Fork of Salt Creek. The station serves as an economic driver for numerous Downstate communities, contributing $13 million in property taxes annually. Clinton also supports 2,100 direct and secondary jobs in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) will continue to serve on Senate President Don Harmon’s leadership team as Majority Caucus Whip during the 102^nd General Assembly.

“I am deeply humbled President Harmon has given me the distinct honor of continuing to serve on his leadership team,” Hastings said. “While our state faces challenges not seen in generations, I have no doubt that under his leadership we will implement creative solutions that give our people the relief they deserve in an effective, bipartisan manner.”

Hastings was appointed to Senate President Harmon’s leadership team to serve as Majority Caucus Whip in 2020. In this role, Hastings works closely with fellow caucus members on policy issues and offers advice on their respective legislative agendas. Hastings will also continue to serve as chair of the Senate Public Utilities and Energy Committee.

“We have our work cut out for us in 2021,” Hastings said. “In addition to providing our communities with the tools necessary for an effective and efficient COVID-19 response, we need to consider solutions that secure the future of clean energy in Illinois. That starts with investing in existing infrastructure and preserving the good-paying jobs in our communities.”

In the coming months, Hastings hopes to help foster bipartisan collaboration on key issues, including equitable clean energy solutions, implementing ethics reform to restore the public’s trust in government, and increasing support for small businesses and families struggling during the pandemic.

Hastings has served the 19th Legislative District since 2012, when he was elected as one of the youngest Senators in state history. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to pass legislation with the goal of improving the social and financial climate of the state of Illinois.

BYRON – Continuing a statewide fact finding mission, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) traveled to Byron, Illinois to meet with local leaders and plant employees to discuss future prospects for Illinois’ clean energy infrastructure today.

“As the spring session looms and our legislative priorities come into focus, major questions about the future of our state’s clean energy infrastructure need to be asked,” said Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Public Utilities and Energy Committee. “How do we invest in our clean energy future and preserve the good-paying jobs in our communities? I have traveled to power plants in every corner of our state in search of these answers, and I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to meet with the folks in Byron today as a part of that mission.”

FRANKFORT – In order to streamline Illinois’ vaccination process, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined colleagues to call for the implementation of a database that would support county health departments, preventing the waste of vaccines.

Hastings, along with several Senate colleagues, made this request of Governor JB Pritzker via a joint letter.

“We know that our vaccine supply is not remotely close to adequate at the moment,” Hastings said. “This makes the distribution of every single dose available all the more critical. All we are seeking is further cooperation between the State and county health departments to implement a statewide database system dedicated to improving the distribution process.”

The proposed database would allow for nearby health care providers to be notified when there are extra vaccines available that need to be administered quickly. This would simplify the redistribution process, give eligible individuals the chance to receive their vaccination and prevent the state’s supply from expiring.

“I continue to be thankful for Governor Pritzker for his leadership, and I recognize he and his team are doing everything possible to ensure the vaccination process moves along smoothly,” Hastings said.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the passage of an extensive piece of legislation that would address issues with the criminal justice system in Illinois, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) issued the following statement:

“It is time for change in our state and in our country.

“Like many of you, I watched in horror as radical anarchists stormed our Capitol, killing a police officer and putting our elected officials and democracy in peril. I feel ashamed knowing we still have a double standard in our society, simply because of the color of people’s skin. I have watched our debates over critical policy issues devolve into vicious personal attacks. We have stopped listening to and learning from each other.

“This week, we voted in the Illinois General Assembly to take a better path. I supported police reforms and accountability measures that I believe are absolutely necessary to heal the deep divide we face.

FRANKFORT – In order to ease the burden of getting state licenses for military members and their families, the State of Illinois is expediting the licensing review process for military members seeking to obtain professional licensure in Illinois.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) voted in favor of the law, Public Act 100-286, to make this process a reality in 2019.

The expedited review process will be in place for military service members who are on active duty or whose active duty service ended within the last two years. This review process also is available to spouses.

FRANKFORT – Following the announcement that Region 7 mitigation measures were lifted, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement:
 
“Three weeks ago, enhanced mitigation measures were placed on Will County and Region 7. Our local businesses and municipalities were forced into an extreme and dire situation. With the hard work and discipline of Will County residents, the COVID-19 infection rate has decreased to a point where the enhanced mitigation measures will be lifted effective at 5:00 p.m. this evening. 

“I want to thank our businesses and chambers of commerce for their feedback and involvement throughout this process. Listening to our local leaders is essential to effective leadership. For those businesses still struggling, I encourage you to visit the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s website for information on the Business Interruption Grant program. 

“Moreover, I could not be more proud of our people for coming together and taking proper precautions.  As we move forward, our local businesses cannot afford another setback. We must remain vigilant for the sake of economic recovery and public health.”