SPRINGFIELD – Future Farmers of America chapters across Illinois could soon see more financial assistance thanks to grants that would be paid out through the Future Farmers of America Fund created through a measure championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

“As lifetime FFA member myself, I am proud to champion legislation that has full support across the board,” said Joyce. “FFA taught me so many valuable lessons that I still hold and apply to my life as a farmer and state senator – and I want to provide those same opportunities for other students across our state.”

House Bill 5400 also allows the Illinois Secretary of State to issue FFA universal specialty license plates. The funds collected from the distribution of the decals will then go into the Future Farmers of America Fund. Anyone can apply for and be issued one of the plates for an additional $25 to their standard vehicle registration fee. For the original issuance, $10 will go to the FFA Fund, and for renewals $23 will go to the fund.

SPRINGFIELD – Older Illinoisans may be eligible for a significant discount on their registration fee thanks to a measure introduced by State Senator Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood).

“We know the rising cost of living has made it difficult for a lot of people to afford the things they need,” Loughran Cappel said. “These expanded benefits help some of our most vulnerable residents save money.”

Loughran Cappel’s proposal would reduce the vehicle registration fee for vehicle owners and their spouses from $24 to $10 if they qualify or have been approved for benefits under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability Property Tax Relief Act.

SPRINGFIELD – To reduce the number of stolen car parts, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure that would require people to keep record of the sale of catalytic converters that passed the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday.

“The increase in catalytic converter thefts is unjustifiable,” Munoz said. “We have to find a way to protect people’s vehicles by tightening the law that many are finding a way around.”

House Bill 107 would add catalytic converters to the definition of recyclable metal, requiring record keeping on the purchase of catalytic converters. The license plate number of the vehicle, photographs or video of the seller, a verified name and address of the seller and a signed declaration by the seller stating that the catalytic converter was stolen would be required.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is spearheading a measure that would further increase student safety by ensuring their local school board’s threat assessment procedures are filed with the local law enforcement agencies that passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

“Student safety is a top priority,” Belt said. “With an increase in school shootings, it’s vital that our schools are up to date on procedures and understand what to do in an emergency.”

Currently, each public school district is required to implement a threat assessment procedure that includes the creation of a threat assessment team. The team must consist of an administrator, teacher, school counselor, psychologist, school social worker and at least one law enforcement official.

SPRINGFIELD – For decades, dozens of women have been missing or murdered in Chicago with little to no answers for their families. That’s why State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation to address this issue.

“When a loved one goes missing or is murdered, that takes a huge toll on a family, and that is a pain that will never go away,” Hunter said. “That pain is magnified when the family is left with no answers, which is why we need a task force to offer guidance for how to handle these cases better.”

CHICAGO – State Senators Omar Aquino and Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) spoke out about their legislation to help working families make ends meet at a Monday press conference.

Aquino showcased Senate Bill 3774, which seeks to increase the earned income tax credit for working families. This bill would incrementally increase the amount of the Earned Income Credit from an amount equal to 18% of the federal earned income tax credit, year over year.

"The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted working families in Illinois. The federal government and we in state government worked to support our communities in need with rental and mortgage assistance, among many other programs, but we need to do more,” Aquino said. “The Earned Income Credit will put money in working-class people's pockets. It's their hard-earned dollars that will support their day-to-day needs.”

CHICAGO – As the state and country loosen COVID-19 restrictions, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) issued a statement regarding the health concerns associated with the pandemic for children and people who are immunocompromised:

“This past winter, the Omicron surge was responsible for 20% of all child deaths from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. This statistic instigates the need for continued action as the pandemic continues.

“Because children under five are still unable to get vaccinated, they are at a much higher risk for infection and acute illness, warranting the need for continued masking for them as well as immunocompromised people.

CHICAGO – In order to combat the opioid epidemic, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are supporting the 2022 State of Illinois Overdose Action Plan, a comprehensive, equity-centric outline to change how Illinois deals with overdoses.

This plan prioritizes outreach to and engagement with individuals who are at risk for both fatal and non-fatal overdose due to drugs like synthetic opioids, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other substances.

“Illinoisans have been battling more than one pandemic. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid overdoses and opioid-related deaths have increased significantly,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “I am glad that we have a plan to address this crisis on a state level. As the convener of the Southside Heroin and Opioid Task Force, I am dedicated to increasing access to better treatment and prevention options for those who struggle with substance abuse.”