SPRINGFIELD – A measure to simplify the process for use of a county recorder’s official seal passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday, under the leadership of Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

Sen. Holmes introduced Senate Bill 3187 to streamline the recording process to establish a stamped or electronic version of the county seal satisfies the signature requirement for record instruments.

“The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Reporters approached me about clarifying this issue after a Sangamon County Recorder’s office customer believed the printed name of the Recorder should be considered a signature,” Holmes said. “In any case where there is doubt as to whether a printed Recorder’s name is legal, this clearly states the recorded document is legal.”

SPRINGFIELD - Educators throughout the state spend their own money for classroom supplies and materials with no expectation of repayment, but that will change if State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) Senate Bill 1143 becomes law. The measure passed the full Senate Thursday.

“Our school funding falls short of what materials students need in the classroom, and I’m pleased we can offer support in the gap between what district funding affords and how much educators are voluntarily spending out of their own pockets for these items,” Holmes said.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) passed legislation Tuesday to help the Kendall County Courthouse grow to serve the demand for additional facilities and more timely resolution of court cases for area residents.

Senate Bill 3737 would allow the county to finish space that was built but never completed, and to house additional judicial staff hired to support the increasing needs for court services in the growing county.

AURORA – After Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State Address and Budget Proposal on Wednesday, State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released her reactions to several of the governor’s planned 2023 budget strategies.

“Overall, I heard the governor lay out some aggressive proposals to help Illinois stay the course of steady improvement in recent years,” Holmes said. “Funding our schools, money for our communities, resources for our police and tax relief for homeowners and motorists. There's a lot to like in Governor Pritzker's budget plan and it could be a big win locally.”

Holmes was pleased to hear the governor’s aspirations to increase funding and other resources for law enforcement and crime prevention.

“We have more officers on the street today than we did several years ago, and we should also expect more funding for additional training,” Holmes said. “My community has been very vocal about needing more and better trained police officers on our streets to stem the tide of crime in towns and cities statewide.”

“We've worked together to rebuild Illinois' finances and now that stability gives us a chance to grow our economy, pay our debts, invest in our priorities and provide relief,” Holmes said. “Our credit status under the previous administration compared to now having seen two credit upgrades under Gov. Pritzker demonstrates our improving fiscal outlook. I look forward to digging into the plan and working to produce a responsible, balanced budget that keeps our state moving forward.”

AURORA – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has secured $22,288.00 for the Aurora Public Library District through Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White.

“I’m really excited to be directing funds to libraries that are focused on responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying services, transforming spaces and developing resources for their local recovering workforce,” Holmes said.

AURORA –Aurora will receive $1.2 million in funds to boost the local business community, thanks to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide grants to enhance and revitalize local businesses, made possible by Illinois’ historic Rebuild Illinois Capital Program, legislation supported by Holmes in 2019.

HB 572 works to stop predatory contract loan practice in pet stores; HB 168 addresses animal cruelty in public housing

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime animal rights advocate in the Illinois State Senate, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) had two of her new laws highlighted in the Illinois Senate Democrats’ annual feature on top new laws.

HB 572 prohibits the predatory lending practice by pet stores who charge high lending rates for customers purchasing high priced pets on credit.  Pet stores in Illinois who offer installment contract loans for the purchase of a cat or dog may no longer offer that service.

AURORA – The Aurora Municipal Airport in the 42^nd District, represented by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to nearly $1.6 million in state funding.

“As Aurora continues to grow, our transportation hubs must be up to par to serve our economy,” Holmes said. “The airport provides good-paying jobs to area residents, and lets local businesses and industries move their people and products in a safe and efficient manner.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Aurora Municipal Airport will receive $1.3 million to rehabilitate parking lots and the entrance road, and $279,000 to overlay perimeter roadways.

“I’m excited to see how these improvements will help Aurora’s future economy and job market by attracting more business,” Holmes said. “These grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs and modernize their facilities.”

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.