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Murphy: No plans to slow down in second term as state senator

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Category: Senator Laura Murphy News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 03:38 PM
  • Murphy
  • 102nd Inauguration Ceremony

Senator MurphySPRINGFIELD – Improving the state’s educational resources, restoring the public’s trust in government and fighting for middle-class families remain priorities for State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), who was sworn in to her second full term Wednesday, Jan. 13 at the Capitol.

“I’m honored to have the confidence of the people of the 28th District, and I pledge to continue representing them faithfully in the Illinois Senate,” Murphy said. “Over the past five years, I’ve made it my mission to push for government transparency and accountability, affordable education for all, and better support for working families in Illinois—and I have no plans to slow down.”

Murphy was appointed to the Illinois State Senate in 2015 and stood for election in 2016 and 2020. The 28th Senate District neighbors O’Hare International Airport and includes all or parts of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Roselle and Schaumburg.

In 2020, she was appointed Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate.

“Working in the General Assembly means engaging in conversations and negotiations with my fellow lawmakers to come up with solutions we can all stand behind,” Murphy said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue this work and make sure the Illinois government is truly serving the people of this great state.”

Castro inaugurated for second term

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Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 03:37 PM
  • Castro
  • 102nd Inauguration Ceremony

Senator CastroSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) and several other members of the Illinois Senate were sworn in as the 102nd General Assembly began earlier today. Castro’s inauguration marks the start of her second term.

“I was very proud of all the good my colleagues and I were able to accomplish during my first term, and I am both honored and humbled that the people I represented trusted me enough to continue that work for another General Assembly,” Castro said. “There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, particularly to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am eager to begin the conversations with my fellow lawmakers to make Illinois a better place to live.”

Castro was first elected to the Senate in Nov. 2016 for a four-year term. Her current term, along with the terms of entire 102nd General Assembly, expires Jan. 11, 2023.

Peters begins first full term

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 03:36 PM
  • Peters
  • 102nd Inauguration Ceremony

Senator PetersSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was sworn into his first full term in office today as the 102nd General Assembly officially began.

“This has been a trying year for many of us, so I do not take for granted the responsibility given to me by the people that I represent to look out for their best interests,” Peters said. “We are at a crossroads in our society, and I am confident that the 102nd General Assembly will be able to deliver real safety and justice to our communities and establish a world where everyone can be made whole.”

Peters joined the Senate in Jan. 2019, following the resignation of Sen. Kwame Raoul, who had been elected to serve as Attorney General the previous November.

The 102nd General Assembly serves until Jan. 11, 2023.

Feigenholtz takes Oath of Office for 102nd General Assembly

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Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 03:35 PM
  • Feigenholtz
  • 102nd Inauguration Ceremony

Senator FeigenholtzSPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) was sworn in for the 102nd General Assembly after joining the Senate in January 2020.

“This past year in the Senate has been like no other – after serving just three weeks, we were hit by COVID-19 and life transformed overnight,” Feigenholtz said. “The pandemic has been devastating to our communities, and our office has been working day and night to address the concerns and struggles of our constituents. The needs of Illinoisans resulting from the pandemic are bottomless, and I enter the 102nd General Assembly renewed and prepared to address our states full recovery.”

A veteran House lawmaker, Feigenholtz joined the Senate upon the retirement of her mentor, Senate President John J. Cullerton. Feigenholtz has a statewide reputation as an effective legislator and is known for navigating complex policy matters and sponsors a diverse portfolio of legislation.

Sims' criminal justice reform passes Illinois General Assembly

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Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 02:45 PM
  • Sims
  • Criminal Justice Reform
  • Legislative Black Caucus
  • HB3653

sims 011421SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a measure that would impose comprehensive criminal justice reforms on how police are held accountable for the use of force, how courts impose bail and sentence convicts, and what rights all citizens, including detainees and prisoners, have with regard to their interactions with law enforcement officers.

“I am gratified that the Senate has passed this major reform package, and I believe it is the first step to transforming criminal justice in Illinois in a way that will uplift our communities and support our law enforcement professionals,” Sims said Sunday after House Bill 3653 passed the Senate 32-23. “This increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement, modernizes our bail and sentencing systems, and provides for greater protections and more humane treatment of those who have been arrested and accused of crime.”

Read more: Sims' criminal justice reform passes Illinois General Assembly

Illinois Black Caucus takes first-in-the-nation step to eliminate systemic racism

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 02:10 PM
  • Belt
  • Lightford
  • Sims
  • Peters
  • Black Caucus Agenda

blk caucus 011421SPRINGFIELD – In order to address the longstanding root causes of racial inequality and disinvestment that are holding back the Black community, the Illinois Senate Legislative Black Caucus has passed the most comprehensive legislative package in the nation to rid Illinois of systemic racism. 

Decades of oppression, the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and police brutality inspired the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ push to end the historic disparities facing Illinois’ Black population.

Read more: Illinois Black Caucus takes first-in-the-nation step to eliminate systemic racism

Belt: When we break down barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity, the whole state benefits

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Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 01:55 PM
  • Belt
  • Economic Opportunity
  • Black Caucus Agenda
  • SB1980
  • SB1480
  • SB1608
  • SB1792

belt 011421SPRINGFIELD – In order to dismantle systemic inequality, combat discrimination in the workplace and promote growth in underserved communities, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) has sponsored legislation that seeks to eliminate barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity.

“Black Americans make up about one in nine workers, but they represent one in six front-line workers— they should have the same career opportunities as any other individual,” Belt said. “This legislation is part of a larger effort to level the playing field moving forward.” 

In order to eliminate historical economic disparities, the Senate passed a series of bills that addresses the third pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ anti-racism agenda—economic access, equity and opportunity—which is made up of nine parts:

Read more: Belt: When we break down barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity, the whole state...

President Harmon congratulates Speaker Welch

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Category: Senator Don Harmon News
Thursday, January 14, 2021 01:22 PM
  • Harmon
  • Chris Welch
  • Speaker of the House

welch 011421 1200 2SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement congratulating the new Speaker of the Illinois House Chris Welch.

“Congratulations to Representative Welch on being elected Speaker of the House. It is a historic occasion.

“We have worked together for years serving the near western suburbs, so I know firsthand the commitment he has to the people he represents.

“We have monumental challenges ahead of us this legislative session. I look forward to working with Speaker Welch to meet them.”

More Articles …

  1. Villivalam passes Future of Work Act
  2. Lightford congratulates first Black speaker of the Illinois House
  3. Saying farewell to Senate colleagues
  4. Leader Lightford sworn in for new term in Illinois Senate
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