SPRINGFIELD – To support small businesses, State Senator Christopher Belt championed a measure through the Senate that would expand liquor delivery services across Illinois.

“Bars and restaurants stimulate our local economies and are the heart of our communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Allowing liquor delivery services across the state benefits businesses and residents by increasing access and sales. We are working to lessen the burden businesses face by increasing the accessibility for revenue.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas is proud to support a new law making it easier for people to change their gender on their birth certificate, as well as waiving fees for people in certain groups to order a new birth certificate.

“This law will be life-saving for many transgender and nonbinary people in our state, who will now be able to live more fully as themselves,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “I am so proud to be a part of this fight for equality, and that our transgender siblings will be able to change their documentation more quickly and without risking their safety.”

SPRINGFIELD – Metro East residents will soon be able to receive a rebate on their monthly energy bill, thanks to a measure supported by State Senator Christopher Belt.

“People have to be able to efficiently heat and cool their homes during the hot summer months and cold winters,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As energy prices rise across the country, we are providing residents with much needed assistance.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Karina Villa championed a bill that will cut down on the school bus driver shortage.

“Accessible transportation to and from school is important to provide to our students,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This bill will help provide transportation to our students by clarifying confusing training requirement for bus drivers of vehicles of different sizes.”

Senator Villa, alongside the Secretary of State’s office, streamlined the training and permit process for school bus drivers. House Bill 1688 will establish an initial course and annual refresher training courses for Small School Bus Driver Permits and maintain the existing courses for Larger School Bus Driver Permits.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure equitable and affordable housing in Illinois, State Senator Adriane Johnson supported a measure to increase the Rental Housing Support Program’s budget.  

“In today’s climate many people are struggling to meet basic necessities such as monthly rent,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “It’s imperative that we funnel funding back into our communities through programs such as Illinois Rental Housing Support Program in order to better assist our neighbors in meeting those needs."

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a measure from State Senator Laura Murphy local governments and municipalities have better tools to hold utility companies accountable for payments.

“Utility companies already collect this tax on behalf of municipalities—it’s just a question of whether the money gets where it’s supposed to go,” Murphy said. “This legislation would ensure local governments can depend on utility companies to hold up their end of the bargain.”

SPRINGFIELD –A longtime champion of worker’s rights and increasing support for education workers, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas is supporting a measure that would allow principals and assistant principals in the city of Chicago to collectively bargain.

“Workers in all roles can suffer under unfair workplace policies—even those in managerial positions with more power in the workplace than others,” Senator Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) said. “School principals should have the same right to organize and demand change in their working conditions as other employees, and this law will ensure they can do just that.” 

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure families with limited economic resources have access to affordable, permanent housing, State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas is the Senate sponsor of new legislation to provide increased funding for the Rental Housing Support Program.

“Without affordable housing options, folks may lose their jobs, be displaced from their community and separated from their families,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we continue to invest in affordable housing programs so that we increase access all over the state, and this initiative takes the first steps to do just that.”