Senate votes to bar investments to Russia

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved legislation last week prohibiting the investment of state funds in Russia.

“The Illinois Senate joins the international community in denouncing Russian’s ongoing, unconscionable acts of aggression against the Ukrainian people,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

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Illinois Senate Democrats welcome Javier Cervantes as a new member

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcomes a new member - Javier Cervantes.

With deep roots in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Cervantes has a passion for community organizing and the creative arts. Cervantes passion and dedication led him to his career path at Service Employees International (SEIU Health Care Illinois and Indiana), dedicating 12 years as a union representative in this field.

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Murphy-led measure addresses vacancy stalemate at Niles-Maine Library

SPRINGFIELD – To address the ongoing stalemate at the Niles-Maine District Library, State Senator Laura Murphy is leading the charge to end the pandering that has left a trustee board seat vacant for over a year.

“The failure of the board to make an appointment, then the subsequent actions of some to challenge the State Librarian’s appointment, is putting the operations of the library at a standstill,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It’s time for the board to put differences aside and prioritize the needs of the community.”

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Sound of the State: National Adoption Day

State Senator Sara Feigenholtz discusses her experience as an adoptee, as well as work she has done in the General Assembly to improve access to information for adoptees and other positive changes to the adoption system in Illinois.

Listen here.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Omar Aquino, Chicago: Pritzker’s $1 Billion Emergency Rental Assistance for Renters and Landlords | Chicago Defender

Senators Meg Loughran Cappel, Shorewood, and Eric Mattson, Joliet: New air traffic control tower at Lewis University Airport opens Dec. 1 | Patch.com

Senator Steve Stadelman, Rockford: Innovative program could finish half-built Rockford subdivision | Rockford Register Star

Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) released the following statement as State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala’s announced her retirement:

“As chair of Education, it has been an honor to work with Dr. Ayala to better the lives of students across Illinois. Her knowledge and passion for education and students showed through her work. Dr. Ayala overcame numerous trials and tribulations, consistently doing what was best for students.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcomes a new member - Javier Cervantes.

With deep roots in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Cervantes has a passion for community organizing and the creative arts. Cervantes passion and dedication led him to his career path at Service Employees International (SEIU Health Care Illinois and Indiana), dedicating 12 years as a union representative in this field.

“I am honored to serve the communities of the 1^st Senate District of Illinois and I look forward to all that we can accomplish together,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This honor comes at the resignation of my predecessor and I ensure the communities of my district that I will live up to his legacy and continue pushing Illinois in the right direction.”

SPRINGFIELD – To address the ongoing stalemate at the Niles-Maine District Library, State Senator Laura Murphy is leading the charge to end the pandering that has left a trustee board seat vacant for over a year.

“The failure of the board to make an appointment, then the subsequent actions of some to challenge the State Librarian’s appointment, is putting the operations of the library at a standstill,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It’s time for the board to put differences aside and prioritize the needs of the community.”

For the past 15 months the Niles-Maine District Library board has been at a stalemate in their efforts to fill a vacated seat. In August 2021, a former library board member resigned, the board was unable to agree on a replacement trustee, leaving the board in a perpetual 3-3 tie. Murphy led legislation in the spring to bring the stalemate to an end, and allow the Secretary of State—acting under the role of State Librarian—to appoint an individual to the vacancy.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate approved legislation Wednesday prohibiting the investment of state funds in Russia.

“The Illinois Senate joins the international community in denouncing Russian’s ongoing, unconscionable acts of aggression against the Ukrainian people,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat who sponsored the legislation in the Senate.

The proposed law would require the state to divest or withdraw any existing investments in Russian banks and companies and prohibit such investments going forward.

CHICAGO – With the intention to understand the concerns and needs of community members, and to proactively connect his constituents to state resources, State Senator Mike Simmons visited the Budlong Woods neighborhood this past Saturday knocking on doors and introducing residents to state resources and meeting those residents face-to-face. 

“Meeting residents in-person, where they’re at, encourages them to voice their concerns and needs in an informal way,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Engaging with the community in their neighborhoods helps to ensure they feel seen, heard, respected, and helped.”

ROMEOVILLE – Lewis University Airport recently completed construction on a new air traffic control tower championed by State Senators Meg Loughran Cappel and Eric Mattson.

“This completed project shows our commitment to reinvigorating our infrastructure for the next generation,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I am happy to see the project completed just in time for the holiday travel season.”

The new tower not only will increase safety at the airport, but it will benefit airspace in the entire region, which includes Midway and O’Hare international airports, as well as provide enhanced training for aviation students at Lewis University. As the first air traffic control tower in Will County, it also will foster economic opportunity and new transport options in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state.

Honoring our veterans

This Veterans Day, let us come together to celebrate our United States service members for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. We must also honor the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The men and women who serve in our military are nothing short of American heroes, and they deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.

If you are currently serving or did a tour of duty in the past, thank you for your service. Your bravery and dedication to protecting American families and our greatest ideals is incomparable.

For those who aren’t veterans, today is a time to reach out to veterans you know to pay your respects and thank them for their service. You can also send a message to an individual or to the home staff at one of our Illinois Veterans’ Homes by clicking here.

There are many resources available for our veterans. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs or locate your closest Veteran Service Officer. You have fought for us, and now we will fight for you.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved