SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora)’s measure to add more safeguards in the courts for abused animals has passed the Illinois Senate.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 153, which would give trial courts discretion in prosecutions for cruelty to companion animals to appoint a supervised law student to assist the court as a special advocate.

“Animal abuse cases may end in dismissed charges or reduced sentences for animal owners accused of cruelty, often because prosecutors have good intentions but not enough resources for research and information to make a strong case,” Holmes said. “These advocates can aid the courts in working for consistent reinforcement of Illinois’ mandate to properly protect companion animals.”

Holmes also pointed out there is a well-documented cycle of violence between those who abuse humans and those who abuse animals. Domestic violence perpetrators have a history of animal cruelty in their pasts, as do murderers, so bringing animal abusers to justice could help save human lives.

“I’m very grateful to Jane McBride, Esq., President and Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Humane, who brought this bill to me,” Holmes said. “She did a lot of work getting this crafted and edited to help it pass the Senate successfully.”

The law students, authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711, would be able to assist with legal research and technical assistance specific to the well-being of the subject animal, as well as help identify and select expert witnesses.

The law students would work without pay or cost to the court. As special advocates, they receive courtroom and investigatory experience.

The organizations advocating for Senate Bill 153 include Best Friends Animal Society, Illinois Humane, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Welfare Institute.  

Senate Bill 153 now moves to the House for further action.

SPRINGFIELD – The work of Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and an Electronic Notarization Task Force produced a report detailing the benefits for Illinoisans that was provided to the governor and General Assembly, and its findings led to a measure sponsored by Holmes and passed by the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 2664 will set the standards for appointment as an electronic notary, creates definitions for electronic notarization; codifies best practices of the National Association of Notaries for electronic notarization; and implements safeguards to ensure the integrity of the technology and the process of electronic notarization.

“I was convinced this was a step to update a process many people use but sometimes can’t find a notary nearby; over the past year, the need for a convenient, protected method for notarization for businesses and consumers became even more obvious,” Holmes said. “I’m pleased that Speaker Chris Welch has picked up this bill as chief sponsor in the House.”

SPRINGFIELD – To prevent families from having to give up beloved pets to find affordable housing, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has moved a measure through the Senate to allow tenants to keep at least two common household pets, regardless of breed, size or weight, in their residence.

“Eighty-one million American households now share their homes with 173 million dogs and cats,” Holmes said. “Regardless of their income, people love their pets and view them as members of the family. Affordable housing should be accessible for all types of people, and that includes people with pets.”

Senate Bill 154 would prevent landlords from enacting policies that prohibit pets of a specific breed, size or weight, addressing a problem for many renters who face giving away or surrendering a pet to a shelter if they must move. The legislation applies to units funded under the Illinois Housing Development Authority Trust Fund.

In Illinois, pre-pandemic data show that up to 38% of the dogs and cats surrendered to Illinois animal shelters are surrendered simply because of housing issues. In 2019, 147,000 dogs and cats entered shelters in Illinois and 11,400 were killed. These surrenders put a burden on shelters that are already full and in need of resources.

Landlords would still be allowed to enforce policies related to sanitation, vaccination and registration of tenants’ pets under Holmes’ proposal. SB 154 also says a housing provider won’t be liable for injuries caused by a tenant's pet, except in cases of willful and wanton misconduct.

This legislation does not limit or affect other laws that require accommodations for persons with disabilities who maintain an animal for assistance, service or support.

Senate Bill 154 will now go to the House for their consideration.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has passed a bill to extend the sunset of the River Edge Redevelopment tax credit from Jan. 1, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2027. The River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program (RE_HTC) provides a state tax credit for a project’s qualified rehabilitation of certified historic structures in the designated zones. It was designed to help older river cities redevelop older properties.

“This has been so successful in Aurora since it began in 2006, I can’t wait to see what’s next in renovating historic structures to further revive our local economy,” Holmes said. “The timing is just right as we need the stimulus of more jobs, more production and sales of materials and services right now as we emerge from the pandemic economy.”

The tax breaks for those structures inside the River Edge Zone have made possible dozens of development projects including the old Copley Hospital campus, the Keystone Building, the Terminal Building, the former West Aurora Administration Building, Waubonsee Community College, River Street Plaza, the Green Mile Bike Lane and the Hobbs Building, along with several residential, office and mixed use sites.

Developers inside the River Edge Redevelopment Zone get a 20% break on federal taxes, and a 25% break on state taxes from historic tax credits. They also are exempted from paying state sales tax on materials for non-residential redevelopment.

State legislation allows five Illinois cities to establish River Edge Zones: Aurora, Elgin, Rockford, East St. Louis and Peoria.

Senate Bill 157 has passed the Senate, and now will head to the House for their consideration.

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced today that school districts in the 42^nd Senate District will receive more than $120 million in additional funding to go toward the many challenges COVID-19 has presented.

“I’m so grateful to local teachers, parents and students for adapting to a different and challenging approach to learning during the pandemic, “ Holmes said. “Now that we appear to be in sight of the new normal, I’m confident this funding boost will help our students and schools move forward as they get on track to reestablish their more traditional routines.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

• Aurora East School District 131                             $76,454,367
• Aurora West School District 129                           $34,489,096
• Indian Prairie School District 204                          $12,261,096
• Oswego School District 308                                  $10,768,168

Schools in CUSD 308 and the 42^nd Senate District include Brokaw Early Learning Center, Churchhill Elementary, Homestead Elementary, Oswego East High School, Plank Junior High and The Wheatlands Elementary.

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“I am particularly pleased this funding addresses the students’ emotional and social needs. They will need time and guidance to readjust, and without that component, their studies may be too challenging,” Holmes said. “This funding can also be used to provide resources to ensure more reliable internet access for students who had little or no access to WiFi to take part in distance or hybrid learning.”

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

SPRINGFIELD – To address an issue allowing pets in rental properties, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has moved a measure through the Judiciary Committee that will allow tenants to maintain at least two common household pets, regardless of breed, size or weight, within the tenant's residence.

 “Eighty-one million American households now share their homes with 173 million dogs and cats,” Holmes said. “Regardless of their income, people love their pets and view them as members of the family. Affordable housing should be accessible for all types of people, and that includes people with pets.”

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced that the city of Aurora is slated to receive more than $2 million in construction funding over the next three years. The broader area investments will surpass $41 million.

“Rebuild Illinois continues to be a historic investment in our roads and bridges,” Holmes said. “The keys to our recovery from the pandemic are jobs and the economy. This program will help put people to work in the district I serve and ensure safer transportation infrastructure as well.”

Holmes helped create the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan in 2019. This new infusion of funding will be distributed in installments over three years. Kane, Kendall, Will and DuPage Counties have identified priority projects, which will be bid and constructed in stages. They may include road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements, and other long-term transportation maintenance needs.

“As we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, this funding comes right on time to improve our quality of life, as cities and villages continue to fight back from the economic blows of the past year.”

Communities set to receive funding include:

• DuPage County:              $5,906,291.99
• Kane County:                  $2,879,817.69
• Will County:                    $3,986,022.47

The remaining $30 million will be allocated throughout the rest of the 42nd District.

SPRINGFIELD – With a long history of successful animal protection legislation in the Illinois Senate, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has now presented a measure to add more safeguards in the courts for abused animals.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 153 on Tuesday, which would give trial courts discretion in prosecutions for cruelty to companion animals to appoint a volunteer lawyer or supervised law student to assist the court as a special advocate.

“Abuse cases can result in dismissed charges or reduced sentences for animal owners accused of cruelty, often due to prosecutors with good intentions but not enough resources for research and information to make a strong case,” Holmes said. “These advocates can assist the courts in working toward consistent reinforcement of Illinois’ mandate to properly protect companion animals.”