SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham spearheaded legislation that expands access to savings accounts for people living with disabilities, known as the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

“ABLE accounts provide much-needed protections for people living with disabilities and their families by allowing them to build financial wellness without risking their federal government benefits,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We chose to expand this program because it’s proven to work and is a testament to our commitment to those who deserve our support.”

House Bill 3641 makes expansive changes to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program, which helps people with disabilities and their families save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for certain government benefits. The measure allows people over the age of 18 to start an IL ABLE account and enables the accounts to conserve additional benefits, such as VA benefits.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding new legislation to diversify the state’s pool of law enforcement officers by prohibiting the use of credit history in hiring decisions:

“An applicant's poor credit history should not preclude that person from becoming a police officer. If we want to address the decrease in officers applying and diversify our law enforcement, we have to remove these outdated, classist policies.

“Senate Bill 2608 would prohibit police departments across Illinois from denying employment and promotions based on someone’s credit. Looking at the Chicago Police Department alone, data shows that only 20% of the force is Black.

DANVILLE – Especially during the winter months, socks are among the most-requested articles of clothing by people experiencing homelessness, leading State Senator Paul Faraci to continue the work of State Senator Scott Bennett by hosting a donation drive collecting new socks for shelters across Vermilion County.

“Warm socks are something we take for granted and a luxury for those experiencing homelessness,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “With your help, we can provide a little bit of comfort to those in need during the harsh winter months.”

Worn-out or ragged socks put people at serious risk of foot disease and, during the winter months, in severe danger from the cold. As a result, new socks are greatly needed by those experiencing homelessness — but they are the least-donated clothing item at homeless shelters.

From now until Dec. 15, community members are encouraged to donate new socks for men, women and children at the collection locations below:

• Senator Faraci’s District Office | 201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323, Danville
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Robinson Chiropractic | 3595 N. Vermilion St., Danville
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Westville Village Hall | 201 N. State St., Westville
  • Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donations will benefit Crosspoint at the Y Homeless Program, Danville Rescue Mission (Vermilion Community Restoration) and Fair Hope Children’s Ministry.

For questions or additional information, contact Senator Faraci’s office at 217-442-5252.

DUPO — Motorists who need to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers can attend a free mobile unit event Saturday sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt.

“The mobile unit makes it easier for people to receive necessary services while cutting wait times,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I encourage residents to stop by if they need to renew their licenses or vehicle registration.”

The free event is on a first come, first serve basis and will be held Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dupo Village Hall, located at 107 N. 2^nd St. The unit operates like a DMV office and offers driver’s license renewals, identification cards and license plate stickers.

Belt invites local veterans to utilize this event to add a veteran designation to their driver’s license or state ID. For veteran designation, residents must bring their DD-214 or Form 13038. For more information about veteran ID services, call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-437-9824.

With questions or for additional information, contact Senator Belt’s office at 618-875-1212.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is leading the way toward a cleaner, greener future thanks to a measure from State Senator Rachel Ventura to require state-owned vehicles to be zero emission.

“Zero emission vehicles deliver big gains for both our environment and our economy,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Taking bold steps to cut pollution puts us closer to our nation-leading goal to become a 100% clean energy state.”

Highway vehicles release about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year — mostly in the form of carbon dioxide — which contribute to the global climate crisis. The continuous adoption of zero-emission vehicles has the ability to move the nation close to an 80% decrease in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Senate Bill 1769 will require passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the state to either be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle or converted into a zero-emission vehicle by 2030. Exceptions will be made for law enforcement and IDOT vehicles. Currently 13 other states have adopted similar zero-emission vehicle requirements, Minnesota being the only other Midwestern state to do so.

Glowiak Hilton passes measure to modernize Illinois' professional licensure process

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton’s measure to help to modernize Illinois’ professional licensure process advanced out of the Senate last week.

“I continue to hear from residents in my district who are waiting for an update on their license applications and renewals,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This measure will expedite the process to modernize and streamline operations for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.”

Read more.

Turner introduces measure to hold funeral homes accountable

SPRINGFIELD — In response to a Carlinville funeral home’s insufficient handling of human remains, State Senator Doris Turner introduced legislation that would put procedures and protocols in place to protect families who have lost a loved one.

“When we lose a loved one, we expect a funeral home to respect the remains of our friends and family,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We are talking about a person who has loved ones and a story of their own. It is vital that we ensure no family has to receive the dreaded call that the remains they received belong to someone else. This has become a nationwide issue that needs to be addressed.”

Read more.

Sims passes measure to end predatory pawnbroker practices

SPRINGFIELD — After months of negotiations, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. passed a measure to enhance oversight over the pawnbroker industry.

“Working with consumer advocates and other interested stakeholders, we passed a comprehensive plan to ensure transparency and ethical practices within the pawnbroker industry,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The Predatory Loan Prevention Act stopped many forms of predatory lending in Illinois, and we are working to continue down that path.”

Read more.

Hastings and Porfirio highlight resources for service members, veterans and their families

SPRINGFIELD — State Senators Michael E. Hastings and Mike Porfirio are taking the opportunity to remind residents about vital resources available to Illinois service members, veterans and their loved ones through the Illinois Governor’s Challenge.

“Our service members—both current and former—have made many sacrifices, continually putting the safety of our citizens above their own,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort), a retired Army captain and chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “It is our duty to ensure military members, veterans and their loved ones have access to the resources and assistance they need. I encourage anyone in need of help to utilize the resources offered by the state.”

Read more.

We are hiring!

The Office of the Illinois Senate President and the Senate Democratic Caucus are seeking qualified candidates for several positions, including: Assistant Legal Counsel, Associate Legal Counsel, Legal Review Staff Assistant, Communications Specialist, District Outreach, Legislative Assistant, Policy & Budget Analyst, and Spanish Language Media Specialist.

View current job postings.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville: Lifting nuclear moratorium creates a sustainable future | FOX Illinois

Senator Paul Faraci, Champaign: Faraci expands Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program | Vermilion County First

Senator Rachel Ventura, Joliet: Ventura advances zero-emissions bill through Senate | The Southland Journal

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – For the ninth time in just over two years, Illinois has seen another improved bond rating. Fitch Ratings – one of the nation’s major credit rating agencies – announced upgrades Tuesday thanks to the fiscally-responsible decisions made by Illinois Democrats.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) – who serves as the Senate’s Appropriations Leader and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee – released the following statement in response:

“When I look at the budgets we have passed in recent years, I see the work and years of fiscal responsibility paying off. We were able to pay down our bills and put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families. Illinois is a stand-out state when it comes to putting the needs of our residents first – and we do so in a responsible, equitable way.

“The nine upgrades Illinois has seen in recent years shows our fiscally responsible budgeting approach is working and is independent proof that our state is headed in the right direction. Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”

ROCKFORD — State Senator Steve Stadelman joined local leaders to celebrate the long awaited reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant, which has been idled since February, after United Auto Workers and Stellantis came to a tentative agreement.

“This is a major win for the city of Belvidere and the UAW,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Our manufacturing and organized labor industries are the backbone of our country. By coming to this agreement, we can ensure UAW members have access to higher wages and better benefits, keeping good-paying jobs in Illinois.”

The agreement is the result of collaboration between auto workers, Stellantis executives, UAW representatives, the state of Illinois and the White House. Other efforts that enabled a solution for Belvidere and supported further economic development in Illinois include the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Reimagining Energy and Vehicles Act, which Stadelman was a sponsor.

The tentative agreement includes:­

• The reopening and removal of “idle” status for the Belvidere auto plant
• A plan from Stellantis to build a new EV battery plant and support electric truck manufacturing at existing facilities with incentives from the state
• The employment of 3,000 auto workers with higher wages and expanded benefits

For more information on the tentative agreement, people can visit UAW.org.