CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter is encouraging eligible agencies to apply for a $2.8 million grant opportunity to secure transitional housing services for survivors of crimes. The grant program, administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, offers assistance to public agencies and non-profit organizations that provide survivors safety, independence and stable housing.

“Millions of Illinoisans have experienced some form of domestic violence or victimization, and do not have a safe place to live,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This grant opportunity will help connect survivors with housing security and other resources needed to feel safe again.”

Survivors of violence face significant barriers to accessing services like shelter, food, clothing, secure housing, utilities, income and legal protection. Thanks to funding provided under the Victims of Crimes Act, assistance is available to organizations that offer crime survivor services. VOCA is supported with fines paid by those convicted of violating federal laws and must be used to provide direct services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other underserved survivors of crime.

Remembering the life and legacy of Senator Scott Bennett

It is with deep sadness that the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus shares the devastating news of the passing of their friend and colleague State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).
“I was devastated to learn of the death of Senator Scott Bennett,” said Senate President Don Harmon. “My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with his wife Stacy and their children during this unimaginably difficult time.”
At this time, the family has requested no flowers or plants. The family will name a charity organization to send donations to honor his memory in the coming days.

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Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Senate President Don Harmon's (D-Oak Park) statement on Senator Bennett's death:

“I was devastated today to learn of the death of Senator Scott Bennett.

“My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with his wife Stacy and their children during this unimaginably difficult time.

“I ask the media and others to respect their privacy.”

(At this time, the family has requested no flowers and plants. The family will name a charity organization to send donations to honor his memory in the coming days.)

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is set to receive over $350 million in federal funding to help support and revitalize small businesses across the state.

The $354.6 million awarded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative will help administer four programs to support small businesses.

The programs allow Illinois to help small businesses across the state attract more capital investment and expand or launch business operations. Access to funding and capital can be especially difficult for small businesses owned by women and people of color. The federal funding allows Illinois to greater support these businesses and their owners.

CHICAGO – A measure led by Illinois Senate Democrats to clarify the Pretrial Fairness Act portions of the SAFE-T Act and ensure smooth implementation was signed into law Tuesday. 

A joint effort with law enforcement, state attorneys and other stakeholders, the bill provides clarification to common misconceptions spread about the Pretrial Fairness Act portions of the SAFE-T Act since its passage in January 2021. In recent months, a smear campaign against the law overwhelmed social media and headlines of fake newspapers, leaving many Illinoisans confused on what the law actually does.

“The SAFE-T Act was the result of hours of testimony and negotiations with domestic violence advocates, proponents of reform, law enforcement and states attorneys at the table working to create a pathway to a better and more equitable criminal legal system,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “However, due to the misinformation campaign led by opponents of the measure, we spent countless hours dispelling falsehoods and working to ensure that the law was not taken out of context. I thank the governor and my colleagues in both chambers for prioritizing a measure that clarifies the language of this transformational law while preserving the protections for crime survivors and ensures we stop criminalizing poverty in this state.”

Collaborative effort to clarify Pretrial Fairness Act passes

SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with law enforcement, states attorneys and other stakeholders, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed a measure to clarify the Pretrial Fairness Act portions of the SAFE-T Act and ensure smooth implementation of the law.

“The SAFE-T Act was the result of hours of testimony and negotiations with domestic violence advocates, proponents of reform, law enforcement and states attorneys at the table working to create a pathway to a better and more equitable criminal legal system,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “However, due to the misinformation campaign led by opponents of the measure, we spent countless hours dispelling falsehoods and working to ensure that the law was not taken out of context. The trailer we passed allows us to clarify the language of this transformational law while preserving the protections for crime survivors and ensures we stop criminalizing poverty in this state.”

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Illinois Senate Democrats celebrate historic agreement to eliminate pandemic unemployment debt

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to the leadership of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, the state will soon see a bipartisan plan to eliminate pandemic-related unemployment debt and protect benefits for workers.

“This action is just the latest building block in our efforts to improve the financial status of our state,” said State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). “By paying what we owe and continuing to pass responsible budgets, our state’s fiscal status only continues to improve.”

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Villanueva advances measure to provide free menstrual products in IDOC facilities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced legislation from the Illinois Senate on Thursday that would allow every person in the care of the Department of Corrections to receive underwear and menstrual products free of charge.

“While women in the Illinois Department of Corrections are provided with some free feminine hygiene products, incarcerated women consistently state that the sanitary napkins and feminine hygiene products provided by the State are inconsistently provided or insufficient to meet their needs,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “As a woman myself, I cannot imagine having limited access to feminine hygiene products that are a necessity to my everyday life. These women are no different and deserve to have proper healthcare resources regardless of their incarceration.”

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Senate Democrats devote historical marker to honor President Obama's presidential announcement

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats joined representatives from the Obama Foundation, the Old State Capitol Foundation, Governor JB Pritzker and community members to celebrate a marker being placed at the Old State Capital in Springfield to commemorate the historic moments in 2007 and 2008 where former President Barack Obama announced his campaign for presidency.

“Long before President Obama made his mark on the nation, he made his mark on Springfield – serving not just as an elected official, but as a man dedicated to our community,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “Through this recognition at the Old State Capitol, we ensure that President Obama’s legacy will live on forever while fostering tourism opportunities for years to come.”

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Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced legislation from the Illinois Senate on Thursday that would allow every person in the care of the Department of Corrections to receive underwear and menstrual products free of charge.

“While women in the Illinois Department of Corrections are provided with some free feminine hygiene products, incarcerated women consistently state that the sanitary napkins and feminine hygiene products provided by the State are inconsistently provided or insufficient to meet their needs,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “As a woman myself, I cannot imagine having limited access to feminine hygiene products that are a necessity to my everyday life. These women are no different and deserve to have proper healthcare resources regardless of their incarceration.”

House Bill 4218 addresses the lack of equal healthcare, basic hygiene and gender disparities in IDOC facilities. The measure would make these products available for all men, women and non-binary individuals under IDOC supervision available free of charge.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes has released the following statement in response to Thursday’s vote in the Senate to amend a criminal justice reform law that address issues of pretrial fairness in House Bill 1095:

“I appreciate the months of work by the stakeholders in this long process to reach consensus in amending the SAFE-T Act,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “As promised, numerous clarifications were made so that the bill would be interpreted and enacted in a uniform manner throughout the state in each of our 102 counties.”

Holmes voted no on the original legislation in 2021 because of some concerns she had through conversations with states attorneys and law enforcement in her district. She voted in favor of the bill Thursday with the new changes.

Parties engaged in this effort included law enforcement, states attorneys, the Coalition to End Money Bond, ACLU of Illinois, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, CAASE and more.