SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and his colleagues joined police advocates Monday to unveil a legislative package aimed at supporting law enforcement officers and improving the state’s criminal justice system.

“Our law enforcement officials work tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep our communities safe,” Bennett said. “That’s why my colleagues and I are working together to create grant opportunities and keep quality officers in the workforce to help those fighting for our communities.”

To help promote fair compensation across the state, House Bill 4228 requires a county sheriffs’ salary to equal at least 80% of the county’s state’s attorney’s salary. House Bill 3863 creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and help retention strategies.

Body cameras are critical for keeping officers safe as well as improving evidence quality and reducing liability for agencies. House Bill 4608 allows for video retention for evidentiary value and allows grant funds to be used for data storage costs.

In an effort to improve the correctional system and reduce recidivism, House Bill 4364 creates the Fund Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention Fund to allow the Department of Human Services to offer grants and programs in county jails for incarcerated individuals or people who have been recently discharged.

House Bill 3893 extends a sunset date to allow investigators to continue recording conversations for qualified sex and drug offenses from Jan. 1, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2027.

“As a former prosecutor, I worked closely with law enforcement officers to present and defend the work of the police in court,” Bennett said. “In my experience, I have found that recruitment, hiring and retention of the best law enforcement officers is key for a safe and thriving community.” 

Bennett joined the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois State Police to express support for the package at Monday’s press conference. He plans to work with his colleagues in the Senate to advance the package before the scheduled April 8 adjournment. 

SPRINGFIELD – With strong leadership from State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), the Illinois Senate Democrats joined police advocates Monday to unveil a legislative package aimed at supporting law enforcement officers and improving the state’s criminal justice system.

“Every minute of every day, police men and women work to protect us. They catch criminals, break down their networks, and ensure justice is served against those who violate law and order in our neighborhoods,” Crowe said. “Our brave members of law enforcement show up for us, and Illinois is continuing to show up for them by creating new grant opportunities, retaining quality officers, offering investigative resources and more.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate and House Democrats announced a series of proposals aimed at helping law enforcement – including mental health support, pay increases, retention incentives, retirement assistance, day care help and other benefits.

“Every minute of every day, police men and women work to protect us. They catch criminals, break down their networks, and ensure justice is served against those who violate law and order in our neighborhoods,” said State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Garbon). “Our brave members of law enforcement show up for us, and Illinois is continuing to show up for them by creating new grant opportunities, retaining quality officers, offering investigative resources and more.”

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon their commitment to pass a balanced budget that benefits communities across the state, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus unveiled a $1.8 billion tax relief plan to put money back in people’s pockets – including a proposal sponsored by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

“Homeowners need help and this plan delivers direct relief to them,” Gillespie said. “As we continue to build an equitable recovery, working people across the state will see tangible relief on multiple fronts.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) was proud to stand with her colleagues Friday to present elements of a new tax relief plan, including a proposal to pay back some of Illinois teachers’ personal spending on classroom supplies for students.

“Educators need our support for the extra efforts they make at their own expense,” Holmes said. “Many children would go without necessary supplies, but they cannot get the full benefit of education without all the needed tools. It’s time we pay back what is owed to teachers.”

Holmes’ enthusiasm for the full plan, ‘Pay It Forward Plan,’ is also based on direct relief checks for each taxpayer, a property tax relief check, grocery and gas tax relief, and a shopping savings initiative with a sales tax break period at back-to-school time.

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus wore blue on the first day of April to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Last year over 43,000 children were indicated as having been abused or neglected in Illinois. By wearing a blue ribbon pin and the color blue, Illinois Senate Democrats helped bring recognition to child abuse survivors and honored those who tragically died due to abuse and neglect.

The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This is an initiative that seeks to recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through collaboration, prevention services and support, Illinois can protect children and produce thriving families.

Democrats introduce measure to empower community involvement and investment

SPRINGFIELD – Democratic legislators unveiled a package of measures to help better address the equity needs of local communities.

“Public Safety is an issue that has touched me and my neighbors directly and that is why I am in favor of greater community involvement,” said Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “We can achieve real public safety for all by listening to communities and expert input, not by continuing the misguided policies of the past.”

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Senate Democrats outline college affordability plan

SPRINGFIELD – The burdensome costs of textbooks and course materials for college students often deters them from making the purchase, which in turn can cause a learning barrier and hinder a student’s grades. Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus outlined a plan to break down those barriers.

Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is leading a measure – Senate Bill 819 – to allow students who receive MAP Grants to use the funds for room and board, as well as coursework materials including books, software and website access. Currently, MAP Grants can only be used for tuition and necessary fee costs.

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Glowiak Hilton introduces plan to codify Organized Retail Crime, bring offenders to justice

SPRINGFIELD – To offer stability to retailers, bring support to state prosecutors and promote statewide economic growth, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) joined officials with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and Attorney General’s office to discuss a legislative proposal to curb Organized Retail Crime in Illinois at a press conference.

“In recent months, high-profile smash-and-grab crimes have created local concerns for store owners, patrons and communities statewide,” said Glowiak Hilton, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. “To make a collaborative effort at controlling the frequency, magnitude and severity of Organized Retail Crimes, this proposal addresses systemic concerns raised by prosecutors and retail advocacy groups to bring offenders to justice.”

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Senate Dems unveil inflation busting relief plan

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats proposed Friday a more than $1.8 billion inflation-busting relief plan that would wipe out state taxes on back-to-school shopping and groceries, stop higher gas taxes and deliver income and property tax refund checks statewide.

“This plan gets money back in the hands of consumers. They’ve endured through this pandemic. It’s time for the state to pay it forward,” said Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

Read more.

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Senate Democrats unveil inflation addressing relief plan

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield Friday outlining a more than $1.8 billion inflation-busting relief plan that would wipe out state taxes on back-to-school shopping and groceries, stop rising gas taxes and deliver income and property tax refund checks statewide.

“This plan gets money back in the hands of consumers. They’ve endured through this pandemic. It’s time for the state to put money back in the pockets of Illinois families,” said Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign).

Under their plan, the state would directly deliver relief checks valued at $100 per person and $50 per child to state taxpayers making up to $250,000 individually or up to $500,000 jointly. A household of four could see a $300 check.

The relief checks would likely come in late summer or early fall. Lawmakers estimated more than 97 percent of state taxpayers would get a check of some amount.

To qualify, people would need to have filed their 2021 return by the filing deadline, fit the income criteria, and they will automatically receive a check in the mail.

The plan also wipes out for six months the state sales tax on groceries and stops a gasoline tax increase from happening. The proposal is modeled after one Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in his budget speech earlier this year.

“We’re going to drive down skyrocketing gas and grocery costs and give people some needed relief,” said Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago).

The plan also includes property tax relief checks of up to $300 that would be mailed to taxpayers.

“Homeowners need help and this plan delivers direct relief to them,” said Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

The plan also wipes out the state sales tax on clothing, shoes and school supplies for 10 days in August to give consumers an economic boost as they go back-to-school shopping. As proposed, the sales tax would be lifted from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14.

“This recognizes the reality that families across the state face and should help lower the bill on their back-to-school shopping,” said Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort).

Qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail price of $125 or less will have no sales tax during that time.

The comprehensive proposal also includes expanded economic aid for lower-income workers and increased tax credits for teachers and volunteer first responders.

The plan, included in legislation filed Friday in the Senate, totals more than $1.8 billion in economic relief. It could be voted on in the coming days as the legislative session heads toward a planned adjournment on April 8.

“Through responsible budgeting the state has wiped out deficits and paid our bills. Now is the time to pay it forward and get money back to taxpayers,” said Senator Bennett.

Copyright 2022 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved