SPRINGFIELD – In-person appointments and limited unemployment services are available to residents at the Illinois Department of Employment Security office in Joliet, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced.

“Working families right here in our community and all across the state have experienced debilitating struggles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Connor said. “Through the restoration of in-person services, we can ensure that our neighbors are receiving the assistance they need and deserve to return to work and get back on their feet.”

LOCKPORT – Patrons of local libraries will soon see service upgrades due to more than $521,000 in state grants, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced.

“Libraries are such a valuable resource to our communities,” Connor said. “Not only can residents borrow books and movies at the library, but they can access the internet reliably, use public computers and printers, or even just find a quiet space to study or work remotely.”

The $521,000 received by five local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

SPRINGFIELD – Upon the passage of landmark legislation that would make Illinois a national leader in clean energy, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) released the following statement:

“The people I serve have made clear to me that carbon-free nuclear generating stations are essential not only to the communities in which they reside, but also to moving Illinois to a carbon-free energy future.  As we continue to work toward clean and renewable energy here in Illinois, we also must ensure that our communities have reliable and affordable carbon-free energy until electrical storage systems can make renewables as reliable as current nuclear generation.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Representative Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook), signed Friday, will give vehicle owners the right to choose less expensive parts for car repairs.

“I was proud to work with Representative Avelar on this issue,” Connor said. “This law will save Illinois consumers money when they have to repair or purchase parts for their cars.”

Currently, automobile manufacturers are able to require affiliated independent dealerships to only offer secondary products and warranties directly from the manufacturer. These requirements often drive up the cost of warranties, repairs and parts, placing excessive financial burdens on consumers and creating greater profit for manufacturers. Under the new law, dealerships will be able to offer parts made by other companies.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and signed Friday will require businesses to provide a toll-free number, email address, or postal address to ensure that consumers are able to cancel automatically renewing services easily and quickly.

“Getting into automatic renewal contracts is like quicksand—it is much easier to enroll in them than it is to cancel them,” Connor said. “My goal is to put an end to predatory business practices, and making it easier to cancel subscriptions will help customers.”

SPRINGFIELD – All service officers and supervisors for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be required to be honorably discharged veterans under legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) signed into law Friday.

“When our servicemen and women are coming to the VA looking for assistance, we need to be sure that they are able to work with someone who has been in their shoes and who is best able to give them the help they deserve,” Connor said. “By putting our veterans in touch with others who have honorably served, we are putting them on a path for success.”

SPRINGFIELD – All service officers and supervisors for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be required to be honorably discharged veterans under legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) signed into law Friday.

“When our servicemen and women are coming to the VA looking for assistance, we need to be sure that they are able to work with someone who has been in their shoes and who is best able to give them the help they deserve,” Connor said. “By putting our veterans in touch with others who have honorably served, we are putting them on a path for success.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and signed Friday will require businesses to provide a toll-free number, email address, or postal address to ensure that consumers are able to cancel automatically renewing services easily and quickly.

“Getting into automatic renewal contracts is like quicksand—it is much easier to enroll in them than it is to cancel them,” Connor said. “My goal is to put an end to predatory business practices, and making it easier to cancel subscriptions will help customers.”