Good news kicks off Senate budget talks

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus heard the governor’s state budget proposal Wednesday and will immediately begin bipartisan, bicameral conversations to bring forth a balanced budget that prioritizes Illinoisans in all corners of the state.

“I’m not accustomed to good news in a budget speech. This is a budget proposal unlike any I’ve seen in my time in the Senate,” said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “It speaks to the work we’ve done, together, to bring stability to our state finances. That stability allows us to invest back in our state and provide relief to those hit hardest by the pandemic and associated economic downturn.”

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Harris combats teacher shortage by extending retired teachers' classroom days

SPRINGFIELD - As the ongoing teacher shortage persists, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is leading a measure to allow retired teachers to return to the classroom for a longer period of time.

“The ongoing teacher shortage is affecting our children but allowing retired teachers to bring their expertise back to the classroom for longer would help students thrive,” Harris said. "The teacher shortage is a burden that our educational system is currently having."

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Feigenholtz introduces measure to help Medicaid patients get mental health services faster

SPRINGFIELD – To help patients seeking Medicaid community mental health services, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) has introduced a measure setting new guidelines to create a more user-friendly and noninvasive assessments.

“Mental health services are essential for many people in today’s society,” Feigenholtz said. “Creating an easier way for Medicaid patients to get these services will streamline the process and help patients get the services they need in a timely manner.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Families of students with disabilities will be more fully informed of the resources available to them thanks to a measure by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that passed out of the Senate State Government Committee on Wednesday.

“Students with disabilities face seemingly insurmountable challenges every day,” Koehler said. “For many of these students and their families, the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to their worries; and helping families access much-needed assistance should be a priority.”

Senate Bill 3474 requires school districts to provide informational materials about the Achieving a Better Life Experience account program directly to the parent or guardian of students with disabilities.

CHICAGO –  State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) wrapped up his campaign last week aimed at getting children across the district he represents vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

“My staff and I set in motion the #ChildrenCarryOn campaign to highlight the true resilience of the children ages 5-11 who live within my district,” Simmons said. “These children have made some of the biggest sacrifices with the least reward these last 18 months. We should celebrate them and lift up their courage in being vaccinated superheroes.”

Over the last two years, children between the ages of 5 and 11 have had to alter their school life, go without seeing friends and not participate in their extra-curricular activities. In addition, many children are also coping with the loss of their family members. 

Simmons’ office set a goal of getting over 1,000 vaccines distributed to students between the ages of 5 and 11 in the district over the past two months. He kicked off the campaign on CPS Vaccination Awareness Day on Nov. 12, by visiting three vaccine clinics hosted by schools for their students at Gale, Kilmer, and Goudy elementary schools. On Jan. 28. Simmons hosted a final pediatric vaccine clinic, in collaboration with State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Alderman Harry Osterman, at the Broadway Armory. Parents and caregivers with multiple children trickled in for appointments eager to become vaccinated. 

SPRINGFIELD – Older adults in the LGBTQ community could be designated advocates under the Department on Aging for addressing mistreatment and disparities faced by LGBTQ seniors and seniors with HIV, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).

“The LGBTQ community already faces an immense amount of stress regarding their sexual orientation, gender identity, lack of legal support and health care opportunities,” Villa said. “A dedicated advocate will help ensure older LGBTQ adults have the support they need and deserve.”

CHICAGO — Illinois Legislative Black Caucus members expressed considerable support, for Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget Wednesday following Pritzker’s annual budget address.

“It’s clear that we need a budget that addresses the lack of access to health care, affordable housing, economic development and high quality education in Black communities,” said Joint Black Caucus Chair Sonya M. Harper (D-Chicago). “One of our top priorities in this budget making process is to ensure our most vulnerable communities and services are protected.”

 The Black caucus also outlined their legislative priorities for 2022 during their “State of Black Illinois Address.”

Among the group address, some members praised Pritzker for his commitment to what he called the ‘Illinois Family Relief Plan’ which provides tax and fee relief for working families, increases public safety efforts and provides additional funding for Illinois schools, hospitals and human services.

AURORA – After Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State Address and Budget Proposal on Wednesday, State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released her reactions to several of the governor’s planned 2023 budget strategies.

“Overall, I heard the governor lay out some aggressive proposals to help Illinois stay the course of steady improvement in recent years,” Holmes said. “Funding our schools, money for our communities, resources for our police and tax relief for homeowners and motorists. There's a lot to like in Governor Pritzker's budget plan and it could be a big win locally.”

Holmes was pleased to hear the governor’s aspirations to increase funding and other resources for law enforcement and crime prevention.

“We have more officers on the street today than we did several years ago, and we should also expect more funding for additional training,” Holmes said. “My community has been very vocal about needing more and better trained police officers on our streets to stem the tide of crime in towns and cities statewide.”

“We've worked together to rebuild Illinois' finances and now that stability gives us a chance to grow our economy, pay our debts, invest in our priorities and provide relief,” Holmes said. “Our credit status under the previous administration compared to now having seen two credit upgrades under Gov. Pritzker demonstrates our improving fiscal outlook. I look forward to digging into the plan and working to produce a responsible, balanced budget that keeps our state moving forward.”

Chicago- Following the early release of Jason Van Dyke from prison, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“I wholeheartedly condemn the early release of former Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke. From the brutality of the number of shots that he fired and the clear evidence of the camera recording the incident, Van Dyke was clearly guilty for the murder of Laquan McDonald.”

“There are working class Black and Brown and white rural residents stuck in prison, convicted of offenses with far less evidence and this release does nothing except highlight the tragic and inherent flaws and contradictions of our criminal legal system and the public safety status quo. This is why we must continue to work for change.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) argued for stronger penalties against employers in violation of the One Day Rest in Seven Act by introducing Senate Bill 3146 in the Senate Labor Committee Wednesday.

“The One Day Rest in Seven Act is one of many invaluable protections for workers in the state,” Villanueva said. “We have to make sure the expectations of employers everywhere are standard at all levels of operation.”