Stadelman: Illinois must invest in electric vehicle industry

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) led his colleagues in passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, a historic measure to preserve and create jobs in Illinois and incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to create more jobs in the state.

“This is a massive field that has so much room to grow, and we want to encourage these companies to set up shop in Illinois,” Stadelman said. “Many regions will see this as an economic opportunity that could bring jobs to residents and make a lasting impact on their community.”

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Belt measure to give school personnel paid sick days for COVID-19 passes

SPRINGFIELD – School district, community college and public university employees who are required to isolate or quarantine due to contracting or being exposed to COVID-19 may be given as many administrative leave days as necessary thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that passed the Senate last week.

“Teachers have faced so many challenges since the pandemic began,” Belt said. “From remote learning to hybrid learning, teachers continue to make sacrifices for their students. They shouldn’t have to worry about using their personal time when they need to take time off due to COVID-19.”

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Villivalam recognizes Diwali as official holiday in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate that declares Nov. 4, 2021 as Diwali Day in Illinois.

“I am honored to celebrate Diwali as an official holiday this year,” Villivalam said. “Our communities that observe Diwali are grateful to live in a welcoming state that values the religious and cultural diversity of its residents.”

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Senate approves Peters' expansion of Reimagining Public Safety Act

SPRINGFIELD – More communities would be able to address the problem of gun violence under State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) measure to expand the number of communities that are eligible for gun violence prevention grant money and to make it easier to receive technical and training services under the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

“We should address the problem of gun violence in Illinois by supporting affected communities directly, not punish them,” Peters said. “True public safety belongs to the people, and it demands that we address the underlying causes of violence at the grassroots level.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined his colleagues in passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, a historic measure to preserve and create jobs in Illinois and incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to create more jobs in the state.

Hastings helped champion House Bill 1769, which would provide a tax credit for manufacturers of electronic vehicles, parts, and power supplies. This new measure builds on Hastings’ work to make Illinois a leader in fighting climate change.

“This new measure sets up Illinois to tap into a new manufacturing industry,” Hastings said. “We are providing incentives to electric vehicle companies to set up shop in Illinois. These new good paying jobs will help grow our state’s economy and help us reduce global carbon emissions.”

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) sponsored a bill to recognize the month of November as Native American Heritage Month in Illinois.

“Native American Heritage Month is a tremendous opportunity for Illinoisans to learn more about the rich history of the first Americans,” Bennett said.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to increasing fears of future water insecurity in the Joliet area, legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) provides for the establishment of a Joliet-region water commission.

“The water supply that our communities rely on won’t be able to provide for us by 2030. Our aquifer is being depleted at twice its natural refill rate, and we’re running out of time” Connor said. “If we don’t start building a solution now, we will face a water crisis.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate supported an effort led by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) to declare October Manufacturing Month in Illinois.

“More than 550,000 manufacturers across our state deserve thanks and recognition this Manufacturing Month for the work they do to produce billions of dollars in output,” Villa said. “This year in particular, our manufacturing industry has saved lives by producing medical supplies to protect our communities from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I could not be more grateful for their hard work.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a resolution sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) urging the Attorney General to establish a task force examining the creation of a statewide conviction integrity unit.

The creation of the integrity unit will seek to identify and overturn wrongful convictions, setting anyone who has been falsely imprisoned free.

“No one should be serving time for a crime they did not commit,” Jones said. “The criminal justice system at times proves to have no justice at all, especially for Black and Brown folks.”

Though African Americans make up only 13% of America’s population, they make up 47% of America’s exonerations. According to the City Bureau, over 2,000 Americans have been wrongfully convicted since 1989. Illinois has had 303 wrongful convictions since then.

SPRINGFIELD – A bill by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to ensure the provisions in the Community Health Worker Advisory Board Act are fully implemented advanced out of the Senate Thursday night.

“I am happy that the health care pillar was passed, and now we have to make sure that every measure is implemented the way we intended,” Hunter said. “With this follow-up legislation, we can finally bring the proper certification to these essential health workers.”

Senate Bill 336 will progress the full implementation of the community health worker certification program that was part of this spring’s House Bill 158. It also makes changes to reporting dates for commissions, task forces and boards.

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CHICAGO – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate that declares Nov. 4, 2021 as Diwali Day in Illinois.

“I am honored to celebrate Diwali as an official holiday this year,” Villivalam said. “Our communities that observe Diwali are grateful to live in a welcoming state that values the religious and cultural diversity of its residents.”

Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs worldwide. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, symbolically represented by a festival of lights. Celebrants of Diwali traditionally light small oil lamps throughout their homes, craft flower garlands, share sweets and launch paper lanterns after dark.

Senate Resolution 593 passed without opposition in the Illinois Senate.