Illinois Senate Democrats lead measures to prevent overdose

SPRINGFIELD – Opioid overdoses in Illinois alone increased 33% between 2019 and 2020 – a jarring statistic that has led members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to champion measures to tackle the epidemic.

“The ongoing opioid crisis deserves our full attention, and expanding access to overdose prevention supplies is a critical step in our efforts to prevent overdoses and save lives,” said State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign).

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Illinois Senate Democrats celebrate local parks

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcomed park districts from across the state to Springfield to celebrate Parks Day.

“Our parks are such incredible places that provide families places to enjoy the beauty of nature,” said State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It’s humbling to see the positive impact parks have on our communities—and see the sheer number of people who benefit from all our parks have to offer.”

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Belt measure to reduce unnecessary traffic stops passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure out of the Senate that would prohibit law enforcement from pulling a vehicle over for objects placed between the driver and their front windshield.

“When drivers are pulled over due to something being on their rearview mirror, they are often unfairly targeted by law enforcement,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It’s long overdue that we eliminate this reason for being pulled over.”

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Lightford advocates for full-day kindergarten

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is leading a measure to require all schools in the state to provide an option of full-day kindergarten.

“Kindergarten is pivotal for children’s learning journey,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Full-day kindergarten classes across the state will ensure equal access to early learning opportunities for all our families."

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Senate, House Democrats release draft Chicago Elected School Board District Map, encourage public to provide feedback

The Illinois Senate and House Democratic caucuses recently released a draft Chicago Elected School Board District map for the public to review ahead of hearings to gather feedback and consider potential changes.

The draft map is available for review at www.ilsenateredistricting.com and www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting. The proposal incorporates suggestions gathered through online map making portals and citywide public hearings, including requests to keep communities of interest as whole as possible and to ensure the maps reflect the diversity of Chicago. The map consists of 20 potential districts, and lawmakers are soliciting input on the best way to make sure the 2024 election provides equitable representation for all of Chicago’s communities.

Sound of the State: A new episode on child care

State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas and State Senator Ram Villivalam were joined by Mindy Parks, owner and operator of Parks' Place Child Care Center, LLC. in Sangamon County, to discuss challenges facing child care providers and employees, and what the General Assembly is doing to provide relief.

Listen here.

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SPRINGFIELD – After a new law to prohibit pet stores from using installment contract loans took effect last year, most of the stores affected ended the practice. However, a small group of pet stores have chosen to continue predatory loan practices — and selling puppy mill animals — in spite of these laws.

State Senator Linda Holmes passed House Bill 3236 out of the Senate, which prohibits any sales finance agency from purchasing or making a loan secured by retail pet stores for the sale of a canine or feline. It amends current law to prohibit these transactions and agreements and provides that changes made to each of the amended sections shall apply going forward and not to prior contracts.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt joined the Illinois Housing Development Authority in announcing $15 million in available grant funding to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across the state.

“Community revitalization is essential for the health and well-being of our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It is important that we invest in the people and communities that have been most impacted by disinvestment and neglect.”

The funding is available under the second round of IHDA’s Strong Communities Program. The Strong Communities Program provides grants of up to $750,000 to help Illinois municipalities, counties and land banks address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts. The program aims to return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use through rehabilitation and provide funds for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences. As a result, SCP will help to increase property values, create jobs, help reduce crime, generate additional tax revenue and attract further community investment.

The grants are funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and will leverage IHDA’s ongoing state- and federally-funded revitalization initiatives in underserved communities around the state. A total of $30 million in grant funding will be awarded through the program over the two application rounds.

“As our infrastructure ages, it is imperative our housing stock receive the care and upgrades necessary to keep them viable,” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust. “If the properties are abandoned or vacant, it is on the city or county to maintain them at the cost of the taxpayers. The Strong Communities Program is helping offset some of the cost burden to help local governments invest in their cities by revitalizing these properties.”

A link to the application can be found here. Applications will be accepted through 3 p.m. on Wednesday June 7, 2023.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler passed a measure to prorate debts of students who are recipients of scholarship programs who need to fulfil their obligations at a later time.

“Every student’s educational path is different,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “We shouldn’t be charging students more for having to complete their degree at a later time.”

House Bill 3498 would allow a recipient of either the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program, the Special Education Teacher Waiver program or the Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois grant program to have their debt prorated for completing their teaching obligations at a later time, up to a five year window.

“There are many students in Illinois who have multiple jobs and responsibilities outside of the classroom,” said Koehler. “We should be supporting our students for pursuing their educational dreams, not increasing their financial burden.”

House Bill 3498 passed the Senate Friday.

SPRINGFIELD – To pay their respects to fallen officers and their families, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus attended the Illinois State Police Officers Memorial in Springfield.

“As we gather today to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities, let us also remember the families they have left behind,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Their strength and resilience are a testament to the enduring legacy of these Illinois State Police officers, who will forever be remembered for their courage, dedication, and sacrifice.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect employees exercising their rights, State Senator Ram Villivalam is advancing two pieces of legislation that would protect workers who are involved in labor disputes.

“Employees who understand and exercise their rights can be impeded by abusive employers, and this legislation takes steps to address those core issues,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Many labor activists have stressed the importance of protecting workers fighting for their rights. This legislation supports that goal.”

To support employees that are protesting, House Bill 3396 makes changes to the Labor Dispute Act so that any person who places any object in the public way with intent to interfere with, obstruct, or impede a picket or other demonstration or protest, would be committing a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $500 and a sentence of imprisonment of less than one year.

House Bill 2907 provides that, in any labor dispute, a court cannot grant an award for monetary damages, except in the case of damage to an employer’s personal property as a result of conduct prohibited by law.

“We want to support employees who are exercising their rights,” Villivalam said. “With this legislation, we are protecting an employee’s right to picket as well as ensuring the courts will continue to uphold workers’ rights.”

House Bills 2907 and 3396 have passed the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro is spearheading a measure that would cut down on referrals to out-of-network providers and give vision care patients more freedom and flexibility to choose where to receive vision care services.

“I have heard time and again the hoops people have to jump through to get affordable vision care and eyeglasses,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Removing barriers and increasing transparency for vision care patients will help make sure that they can access in-network providers without being charged extraneous fees set by their vision plan.”

Senate Bill 764 would prohibit vision care plans from requiring a vision care provider to, as a condition of their participation, provide services at a fee set by the vision care plan, unless the services are in-network and covered under the plan. The bill also requires vision care providers to disclose any business interests they have with an out-of-network source or supplier they recommended to a patient. Upon the patient’s request, vision care providers would be required to offer in-network sources instead.

A 2017 study published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that vision impairments, loss or blindness can cost a person an average of $16,838 annually. That total does not include routine vision and eye care exams or care for a condition that is not associated with vision loss.

Senate Bill 764 passed the Senate Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a measure through the Senate that would expand prevailing wage requirements to include public works solar projects.

“The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Future Energy Jobs Act gave Illinois the chance to become a leader in green energy, and we are seeing renewable developers step up to make that happen,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “It is critical to ensure workers at these important projects are paid fairly as they work to build a more reliable future for our children and grandchildren.”