SPRINGFIELD — Legislation passed by State Senator Robert Martwick will secure the finances of the Cook County Pension Fund and protect taxpayers.
“Thanks to the incredible dedication and fiscal discipline implemented by President Toni Preckwinkle and her administration, the Cook County Pension Fund is one of the few pension systems in the state whose fund balance has improved over the course of the last decade,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This measure ensures that retirees will receive the benefits they have earned and protects taxpayers from future property tax increases by codifying these fiscally responsible practices.”
Read more: Cook County Pension Fund to be fully funded under Martwick measure
SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) passed legislation today prohibiting firearms manufacturers and sellers from marketing weapons to children and from promoting illegal militia activity.
The measure also makes it illegal for any firearms dealer to knowingly create a condition that endangers public safety. Examples of such situations include failure to prevent the sale of a firearm to a straw purchaser and failure to ensure that business practices comply with all local, state and federal laws.
Read more: Harmon moves to ban deceptive marketing of firearms
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva continued her fight to allow gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms to be installed in private and public businesses.
“By passing this legislation, we are ensuring that people of the LGBTQ community have a comfortable and safe space to use the restroom like everyone else in the state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This bill is about inclusivity – for not just the LGBTQ community, but for people with disabilities, older adults and families with young children.”
In January 2020, it became law that all single occupancy public bathrooms in Illinois become gender neutral.
House Bill 1286 expands on that law, allowing businesses to create gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms. However, the legislation is permissive – gender specific multiple-occupancy restrooms are still allowed.
Read more: Villanueva continues fight for equitable restrooms
SPRINGFIELD – High school students could soon be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.
“Increasing awareness through education is an effective way to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Educating high school students, hopefully before they are exposed to fentanyl, could mean all the difference between a dependency on addictive opioids and connection to a non-addictive medication.”
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a drop of water. Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity yesterday announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit application for eligible companies. BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed to promote economic expansion and growth in Illinois by incentivizing construction projects. The legislation makes $20 million in tax credits available per year for eligible companies.
“Finally, we’ve got a tax credit that rewards blue collar workers rather than the guys in the corner office,” said State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We want more business here in Illinois and we have the workforce to build them. I hope to see these businesses come to Illinois to help expand the economy, and to see our workers share in the incentives the state has to offer.”
Read more: New tax credits announced for blue collar workers in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – To make public transit safer, stronger and more affordable, State Senator Ram Villivalam led a comprehensive public transit plan through the Senate.
“Public transportation is used by hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents every day,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We are building a transit plan that includes all communities and creates a more equitable future for residents who rely on our transportation system.”
Read more: Villivalam passes legislation to provide for safer, more affordable transit
Democrats, Republicans, law enforcement and school officials seek to include critical response mapping to save lives
SPRINGFIELD – Working across the aisle and in tandem with police chiefs and education officials, members of the Illinois Senate outlined an initiative at a press conference Thursday to enhance crisis response plans in case of a school emergency.
“As a former special education teacher, I spent 15 years in the classroom. I also have three children of my own, one who is now a teacher,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Parents shouldn’t have immense fear that their kids are unsafe at school and teachers shouldn’t be put in a situation where they are on the front line. This is a commonsense approach to protect the people who educate our youth.”
The bipartisan proposal would allow public schools to obtain crisis response mapping data and provide copies to appropriate law enforcement and first responders to use in the event of an emergency.
Read more: Bipartisan group of Senators outline critical response plan for schools, law enforcement
SPRINGFIELD – The South Suburban Airport may soon be reality, thanks to the Senate members of the South Suburbs.
“This is a touchdown for communities across the South Suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This airport will serve as an economic engine for our communities and provide local businesses with access to global markets for generations to come.”
For the last 40 years, lawmakers have attempted to secure a south suburban airport in the Monee community. The measure – spearheaded by Harris – passed on Wednesday, would require the state to establish the process to find partners in the construction of a new south suburban airport.
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