SPRINGFIELD – Tons of trash and debris are dumped annually into Illinois rivers, negatively impacting wildlife and damaging both the aesthetic and biological qualities of the rivers. State Senator Julie Morrison passed a resolution to name September 2024 as River Clean Up Month to encourage Illinoisans to promote clean-up efforts across the state. 

“Illinois contains more miles of rivers than any other state east of the Mississippi River,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is imperative that we keep our rivers clean not only for the ecosystem, but also so we can continue to enjoy the many activities the rivers provide.”

This resolution calls on chambers of commerce, area group and associations, local schools and colleges to organize and coordinate local clean-up activities along portions of rivers and waterways in their area.

“Rivers and water ways are extremely important in Illinois,” said Morrison. “With this resolution, we are honoring that importance and focusing on keeping our environment clean.”

Senate Resolution 702 was adopted by the Senate Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD – To promote race amity and showcase the importance of interracial friendships, State Senator Rachel Ventura passed a resolution to declare June 9, 2024 as Race Amity Day in Illinois.

“Race Amity day is dedicated toward encouraging people to come together and celebrate the diversity within our communities,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “It has been a longstanding principle of mine that our communities should reflect our values. We value each and every Illinoisan and the important friendships and partnerships that we have fostered in spaces across the state.”

Senate Resolution 770 will declare Race Amity Day in Illinois, which is observed annually on the second Sunday in June and is an opportunity to celebrate interracial friendship and showcase the power of interracial partnerships to foster lasting and powerful social change.

Race Amity Day was established to promote understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of different races and cultures and encourages people to come together and celebrate the diversity within our communities.

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime advocate for extending state procurement opportunities to minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities, State Senator Cristina Castro is leading a measure to improve diversity, clear up bureaucratic issues and modernize the state’s contracting process.

“Companies with roots in our communities should not face challenges to doing business with the state – especially as we undertake historic infrastructure projects across Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These changes will help build capacity and facilitate a streamlined commerce process in our state.”

To eliminate long-standing obstacles and increase diversity in state contracting, the package includes provisions to modernize the procurement process, improve transparency, encourage responsible competition and safeguard taxpayer dollars in infrastructure projects.

SPRINGFIELD – Building off her efforts to make voting more accessible, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading a measure to help people in veterans’ homes, nursing homes, and hospitals cast their ballots in a safe, secure way.

“Voting disparities among people with disabilities is a pressing issue,” said Morrison. “Increasing opportunities for voters with disabilities, many of whom are veterans, to utilize vote by mail will have a positive impact on their participation.”

House Bill 4488, among other things, would allow election authorities to deliver vote by mail ballots to voters who live in veterans’ and nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities, in addition to the authorities' preexisting ability to administer supervised, on-site voting. This vote by mail initiative is just one part of a bigger package of proposals to increase voting accessibility and make elections more transparent.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced an initiative through the House and Senate that would allow local government to apply for loans through the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank in an effort to expand clean energy infrastructure across Illinois while saving tax payers money on interest rates.

“We need every level of government to do their part when it comes to mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Through the IFA bank, these low-rate loans to local government will not only save taxpayers money in the long run, but also address and tackle the effects of climate change.”

Senate Bill 3597 would allow units of local government to apply and obtain a loan from the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank to build, purchase, remodel or improve clean energy infrastructure.

Currently, units of local government borrow from the bond market, but by borrowing from the Climate Bank, they will receive a lower interest rate, saving all taxpayers money.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to further protect residents from persistent and toxic pollutants, State Senator Adriane Johnson has advanced a measure to regulate the sale of certain fluorescent lamps.

“These types of fluorescent lamps contain mercury and pose a threat to not only the health of people but also the environment,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “In order to effectively reduce mercury pollution, we must remove products that contain traces of it from our disposal sites.”

House Bill 2363 would ban selling newly manufactured screw-base, bayonet-base and pin-base compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps. Exemptions would apply for certain fluorescent lamps used for medical diagnostics, academic research, photocopying and printing, and in vehicle headlights.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans with a valid driver’s license or ID may soon be able to request a mobile version of identification from the Secretary of State, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“Embracing digital solutions is crucial for making state services more accessible and efficient,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “By allowing residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or ID card on their phone, we are streamlining daily activities that require identification, such as traffic stops and age verification.”

A key feature of Hasting’s measure is the requirement that mobile driver’s license and ID’s use an electronic credential system – such as a barcode system – to certify there is no requirement for individuals to surrender possession of their mobile device to the requesting party. This ensures that residents maintain control and privacy over their mobile devices at all times.

SPRINGFIELD – To promote healthy body image, State Senator Karina Villa passed a measure out of the Senate Thursday to facilitate practices for affordable access to laser hair removal treatment.

“Sense of worth and self-esteem may be correlated to a person’s appearance,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Many individuals living with hormone imbalances or skin conditions that cause unwanted hair growth may find appreciation for their bodies through laser hair removal."

House Bill 4357 would allow trained professionals, including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, to perform a non-ablative laser hair removal procedure as long as a physician delegated it and supervision protocol is in place.