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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, advanced legislation to allow an alternative project delivery method on infrastructure improvements from the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“Streamlining the implementation of infrastructure improvements will save taxpayer dollars and rebuild our roads, bridges and mass transit systems in a transparent and equitable manner,” Villivalam said. “Finding alternative ways to deliver on rebuilding Illinois remains a top priority for me on the Senate Transportation Committee.”

Senate Bill 2981 creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act, which authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Tollway Authority to use the design-build delivery method on highway construction projects. Currently, IDOT uses the design-bid-build project delivery method where the department designs a plan in-house, then reviews bids from contractors. Design-build would expedite that process by allowing a single entity to both design and start construction on the project. Projects that use this method would be capped at a combined total of $400 million.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund employers could have more flexibility in determining how to structure IMRF payments under the Illinois public pension system through a measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).

“This adjustment is necessary to support IMRF from being hit with additional payment requirements,” said Villa. “This is one step toward providing more flexibility for IMRF employers to determine how to structure payments.”

Under Villa’s legislation, IMRF employers would be exempt from paying Accelerated Payment (AP) charges or increases through retributions due to a members receiving workers’ compensation. Similar to other statewide systems, IMRF employers are required to pay the employer cost of pension due based on the members earnings but unlike other systems, IMRF employers are liable for paying any AP charges made through the process.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure removing sales taxes on supplies related to child nursing passed the Senate Friday thanks to the work of State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago).

“Sales taxes on basic necessities create unnecessary barriers that only add to the challenges of motherhood,” Villanueva said. “A mother’s ability to provide for her child should not be stunted by these needless financial obstacles.”

The measure, an initiative spurred by Parity for Pumps, exempts breastfeeding supplies from sales tax to include these supplies with existing feeding exemptions. Eight other states already provide these exemptions, and infant formula is exempt from sales tax in nearly every state. Adding nursing tools to the list of exemptions allows mothers to generate and collect breast milk more easily by removing some of the financial burden associated with maintaining their milk supply. In doing so, Illinois moves toward more equitable feeding options for mothers and their children.

SPRINGFIELD— County coroners and local medical examiners could potentially receive federal assistance in identifying missing persons after a measure sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“When you hear pleas from a family for help, we should be using all the tools at our disposal to bring them the support that they need to help find or identify their loved ones,” said Sims. “Unfortunately, some smaller counties and police departments do not have access to the same technology and resources as larger cities, and this bill will help with that.”

Senate Bill 3932 would require a coroner or medical examiner with custody of human remains that are not identified within 72 hours of discovery to immediately notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance in identification.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to include mental health absences as a reason for an excused absence, championed by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), passed the Illinois Senate Friday.

“I have always been a firm believer that mental health is every bit as important as physical health, especially during my time as a special education teacher,” said Senate Education Committee Vice-Chair Loughran Cappel. “Our teachers’ well-being is critical to their ability to perform their jobs well, and that’s why I’m advocating for teachers to be able to take time off when they’re sick physically and mentally.”

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, the school board of each school district would be required to include mental health as part of their current negotiated sick days for full time employees of the district. This legislation would allow teachers to use two of their days as mental health days, and that if a teacher needs three or more mental health days, the school district would require a note from a mental health professional.

“Teachers play an important role in the lives of children, and it is important their mental health is supported to prevent issues that would affect their teaching performance,” Loughran Cappel said. “It’s vital that we give our teachers the time they need to unplug and focus on their mental well-being.”

Senate Bill 3914 moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), students with disabilities in Illinois and their families will be more fully informed of the resources available to them.

“Illinois provides a multitude of resources to students with disabilities,” Koehler said. “By ensuring residents are informed of available financial services, we can prevent additional burdens for individuals with disabilities and their families.”

Under Senate Bill 3474, school districts are required to provide informational material to the parent or guardian of students with disabilities about the Achieving a Better Life Experience account program.

SPRINGFIELD - Educators throughout the state spend their own money for classroom supplies and materials with no expectation of repayment, but that will change if State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) Senate Bill 1143 becomes law. The measure passed the full Senate Thursday.

“Our school funding falls short of what materials students need in the classroom, and I’m pleased we can offer support in the gap between what district funding affords and how much educators are voluntarily spending out of their own pockets for these items,” Holmes said.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase microchip production and attract companies to invest in Illinois, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced legislation through the Senate to create a series of tax credits to support the semiconductor industry.

“The United States relies on microchip imports to fulfill local manufacturing needs,” said Glowiak Hilton, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “With semiconductor supply chain and worker shortages intensified by the pandemic, we can use this opportunity to serve local production, build the industry in Illinois and create job opportunities for residents.”

In partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Glowiak Hilton’s proposal creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act to provide a range of tax credits for semiconductor, microchip and component part manufacturers to support new employee training while also encourage companies to develop operations in underserved communities and energy transition areas.