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Morrison recognized by Illinois Association of Park Districts

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Friday, January 31, 2025 04:14 PM
  • Illinois Association of Park Districts
  • IAPD

morrison 013025CHICAGO — State Senator Julie Morrison received the Illinois Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts at their annual conference this month.

“Parks are for everyone — creating recreational opportunities for children and adults alike,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The IAPD is instrumental in advocating for recreation opportunities and natural resources within our state, and I look forward to future collaboration to make more accessible open spaces a reality.”

Morrison was recognized for her support of legislation promoting park districts, forest preserves, and recreation and conservation agencies across Illinois. She has been a longtime advocate for Illinois parks and continues to support park districts throughout the state through initiatives like the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program.

 

Read more: Morrison recognized by Illinois Association of Park Districts

Ventura to tackle high water prices, reclaim water rights

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Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Friday, January 31, 2025 03:16 PM
  • Utility Bills
  • Ventura
  • SB 1513
  • Water Lines

RCUBPressConference

SPRINGFIELD – Following the water rate hikes that affected Bolingbrook and the surrounding area, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a measure that would allow municipalities to buy back their private water lines through a ballot referendum. The measure is being supported in the house by Representative Dagmara Avelar.

“Water is essential to all life — I believe water should never be privatized for this reason. We cannot allow profits to be put over people,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect access to clean, affordable drinking water, as well as advocate to reform water policies that have continually hurt consumers.”

SB 1513 follows recent water rate hikes in Bolingbrook and surrounding areas in July 2024, which sparked public outrage with residents citing already high water bills and rising living expenses. Under the proposed legislation, a municipality would be able to buy back their water rights from private water utility companies using eminent domain, led by a vote via referendum in any regular election.

Read more: Ventura to tackle high water prices, reclaim water rights

Johnson, Simmons advocate for fossil fuel divestment

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Category: Member News
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 04:40 PM
  • CEJA
  • Johnson
  • Simmons
  • Fossil Fuel Divestment Act
  • SB130
  • State Retirement Systems

johnson simmons 012925SPRINGFIELD – To advance environmental standards and promote greener energy, State Senator Adriane Johnson joined colleagues Wednesday to support the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, which would prohibit Illinois’ major retirement systems from making new investments in fossil fuel companies.

“By aligning our investments with the goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, Illinois is making a clear commitment to protecting our workers, communities and environment from the growing climate crisis,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “The Fossil Fuel Divestment Act reflects our responsibility to both retirees and future generations.”

Read more: Johnson, Simmons advocate for fossil fuel divestment

Legislators, advocates call for retainage reform to support Illinois contractors and workers

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Category: Senator Willie Preston News
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 04:06 PM
  • Preston
  • Retainage reform
  • SB 74

Preston RetainagePCSPRINGFIELD — Today, legislators and advocates gathered to announce the filing of Senate Bill 74 and House Bill 1224, landmark legislation to reform Illinois’ retainage policies.

“This legislation is about fairness and modernizing our laws to support Illinois contractors,” said State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago), chief sponsor of Senate Bill 74. “Our small businesses and workforce deserve payment practices that reflect the realities of today’s economy.”

The bills aim to end the practice of withholding payments from contractors across the board and instead adopt federal standards that impose retainage only when specific project issues arise. The bills would only apply to state agencies and public universities, not local governments or private developments.

Read more: Legislators, advocates call for retainage reform to support Illinois contractors and workers

The Majority Report 01/29/25 - Removing barriers to employment, health care

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Category: Majority Report
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 10:32 AM
  • Castro
  • Majority Report
  • Sims
  • Cervantes
  • Nurse Staffing Plan
  • HB793
  • Dignity in Pay Act
  • AAA rating
  • Illinois Funds
  • SB271

Sen. Cristina Castro

Castro’s Dignity in Pay Act signed into law

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro’s historic legislation to begin phasing out the federal subminimum wage for people with disabilities in Illinois has been signed into law.

“Good jobs change lives, and all workers — including disabled workers — deserve these opportunities,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “The Dignity in Pay Act will promote access, opportunity and financial stability for employees with disabilities across our state, and I’m proud to have played a part in getting this historic measure across the finish line.”

Read more.

 

Nurse

Cervantes bill aims to improve health care access in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure more skilled health care professionals can practice in Illinois, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes introduced legislation to better support the state’s physician assistant workforce and improve access to care.

“Before my work in the General Assembly, I worked with health care providers to resolve issues of inaccessibility, and I saw firsthand how it can take weeks or months to see doctors and other health care providers, leading to worse health outcomes for the patient seeking treatment,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “By streamlining the process of becoming a licensed physician assistant, patients will be able to receive medical help sooner.”

Read more.

 

Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

Sims praises work done to affirm AAA rating to Illinois Funds

CHICAGO — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is praising the work done by the Illinois General Assembly to affirm the Illinois Funds — a mutual investment used by local governments — top AAA rating.

“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, put money back in the pockets of the state’s hardworking families, and prioritize our local governments,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “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.”

Read more.

 

Members In The News

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Christopher Belt, Swansea: Second round of funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program announced | River County News

Senator Karina Villa, West Chicago: Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus reaffirms commitment to protecting immigrant rights | Hola America News

Senator Celina Villanueva, Chicago: Illinois Warehouse Worker Protection Act heading to Pritzker's desk | WAND TV

 

Copyright 2025 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus: We will not stand for hate, bigotry or racism

Details
Category: Member News
Monday, January 27, 2025 05:10 PM

villa johnson 012725CHICAGO – Members of the executive leadership of the Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus are standing together to denounce hateful action taken by the new federal administration.

"Attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion are direct assaults on the very communities that form the backbone of our state," said Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). "History has taught us a painful lesson: when they target one group, they threaten us all. What will begin with migrants will extend to the Black community, to women, and to countless others who have built the foundation of Illinois.”

 

Read more: Illinois Senate Progressive Caucus: We will not stand for hate, bigotry or racism

Sims and Villanueva announce applications open for small business grant program

Details
Category: Member News
Friday, January 24, 2025 03:17 PM
  • Sims
  • Small Business
  • Villanueva
  • DCEO Grant
  • Capital and Infrastructure
  • OE3

dceo grants 012425CHICAGO – Illinois Senate Democrats recently joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. This initiative aims to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs through capital improvements.

"Programs like the OE3 grant are critical because they prioritize equity and uplift businesses that have been left behind for far too long,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By providing these resources, we’re not just supporting businesses — we’re fostering economic empowerment and generational growth."

 

Read more: Sims and Villanueva announce applications open for small business grant program

Cervantes bill aims to improve health care access in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Javier Loera Cervantes News
Thursday, January 23, 2025 12:42 PM
  • Staffing Shortages
  • Physician Assistants
  • Licensure Process
  • SB271

nurse 012325SPRINGFIELD – To ensure more skilled health care professionals can practice in Illinois, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes introduced legislation to better support the state’s physician assistant workforce and improve access to care.

“Before my work in the General Assembly, I worked with health care providers to resolve issues of inaccessibility, and I saw firsthand how it can take weeks or months to see doctors and other health care providers, leading to worse health outcomes for the patient seeking treatment,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “By streamlining the process of becoming a licensed physician assistant, patients will be able to receive medical help sooner.” 

 

Read more: Cervantes bill aims to improve health care access in Illinois

More Articles …

  1. Morrison lauds investment in Fortune Brands Innovations’ expanded Deerfield headquarters
  2. Sims praises work done to affirm AAA rating to Illinois Funds
  3. Halpin highlights Quad Cities workforce development analysis
  4. Belt secures second round of Illinois Grocery Initiative Funding
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