DES PLAINES – To help Illinois renters and landlords take advantage of up to $25,000 or 15 months in assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to host an informational webinar via Facebook Live on June 9 at 5 p.m.
“Many families are still struggling with job and income losses due to the pandemic, and as a result, they’re behind on rent payments,” Murphy said. “This program offers much-needed assistance to renters who still need some time to get back on their feet.”
During the webinar, an official from the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide a walkthrough of the application process, offer helpful tips and answer questions. The event will be streamed live on Murphy’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenatorLauraMurphy.
Read more: Murphy invites renters and landlords to attend rental assistance webinar
SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiations with lawmakers, state agencies and other stakeholders, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is calling the state’s final budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year a win for students and working families:
“As we work toward a full recovery from the pandemic, it’s crucial that Illinois spends—and saves—smart. Every dollar represents a down payment on our state’s future.
“By closing loopholes and cutting back on unnecessary expenses, we were able to keep our promise to public schools and increase evidence-based funding by $350 million, making critical investments in K-12 education in a way that reduces the tax burden on local property owners.
“I’m proud to have helped craft a balanced budget that makes our full required pension payment, supports the middle class and spurs economic growth in all our communities. We’ve weathered the challenges of the past year—now it’s time to build back better.”
SPRINGFIELD – To increase transparency at all levels of government and ensure elected officials are held accountable for their actions, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) championed a measure to overhaul ethics laws in Illinois.
“Illinoisans deserve to be able to trust their government again,” Murphy said. “These long-overdue changes can help restore transparency and accountability to our state government, and begin to build back the public’s confidence.”
The legislative package includes numerous provisions to strengthen ethics laws surrounding economic interest disclosure, lobbying, campaign finance and compensation, including:
“Government officials should serve the people—not their own financial interests,” Murphy said. “This legislation is a good first step, but I will continue pushing for reform to bring us closer to the ideals Illinois was founded on.”
Senate Bill 539 passed the Senate with unanimous support and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.
SPRINGFIELD – Local park districts would have more time to complete projects funded through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant program under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), which has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature.
“The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on many local governments’ development plans, and some are still working to get back on schedule,” Murphy said. “I’m thrilled to see the Illinois legislature come together to give park districts the support, flexibility and time they need to recover at their own pace.”
Read more: Senate approves Murphy plan to give park districts more time to use grant funds
SPRINGFIELD – More students will be able to represent their schools comfortably and confidently under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to give students more flexibility in the design of their athletic uniforms, which has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature.
“Some athletic uniforms can be a barrier to students who want to compete for their school. The simple addition of long sleeves, leggings or a head scarf can make all the difference for diversity and inclusion on the team,” Murphy said. “The passage of this legislation shows kids across the state that we stand with them—no matter their background.”
Murphy’s proposed legislation would enable student athletes at public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community colleges in Illinois to modify their athletic or team uniform to be in accordance with their cultural values, modesty standards or religion.
Read more: Students could modify athletic uniforms for modesty, comfort under Murphy legislation
SPRINGFIELD – To ensure Illinois college students can afford the tools they need to learn, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has advanced legislation to create a task force dedicated to making textbooks and other course materials more affordable.
“The school year is over, and many recent high school grads are preparing for college—and the financial stresses that often come with it,” Murphy said. “It’s time to examine ways our schools can lift some of that burden for students and their families.”
The legislation would create the Course Materials Equitable Access and Affordability Study Task Force, which would research ways to save students money on course materials, examine digital learning materials in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and publish its findings online.
Using these findings, the task force would identify best practices for colleges and universities with an eye toward improving affordability, ensuring access to required course materials by the first day of class, and securing better outcomes for students—especially minority, low-income and first-generation students.
“No student should have to skip buying a textbook because they can’t afford it,” Murphy said. “This task force will ensure every college kid in Illinois can get the most out of their courses.”
House Bill 332 advanced out of the House in April and passed the Senate Tuesday without opposition.
DES PLAINES – Municipalities across the Northwest Suburbs will receive more than $11 million in combined Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants in the latest round of program funding, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Monday.
“Sound infrastructure is critical to our communities’ safety and success,” Murphy said. “These funds will allow our local governments to make much-needed upgrades to sidewalks, roads and bridges, making travel smoother and easier for all our residents.”
The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Cities and municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
“Rebuild Illinois doesn’t just revitalize our infrastructure—it creates high-quality jobs right here in the community,” Murphy said. “This plan is critical to the long-term economic health of our region and of Illinois as a whole.”
This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of grants totaling $1.5 billion through the Rebuild Illinois program. A complete list of awards is available here.
SPRINGFIELD – The state is investing $94 million in public airports across the state through the Rebuild Illinois construction program, and State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is encouraging airports in the Northwest Suburbs to apply for a portion of the funding.
“With a post-pandemic travel boom on the horizon, it’s important that our local airports are prepared to make the most of it,” Murphy said. “These funds will allow the smaller airports in our community to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and attract more passengers.”
Read more: Murphy invites public airports to apply for state funding
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