CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) continued his series of legislative people’s councils by inviting single moms from across the 7^th District to his office for a discussion Thursday night.

“I want to reimagine the office of state senator in a way that shares decision making and policy goal-setting with people across the district whose voices have been ignored by decision makers,” Simmons said. “Nearly one out of three households in the 7^th District are headed by single parents. I feel it is critical to create open lines of communication that allow them to articulate their needs and enable me to write legislation that is relevant and that can make a difference in their livelihoods.”

PLAINFIELD – Local libraries will soon receive service upgrades thanks to more than $230,000 in grants, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) announced Friday.

“Libraries are a foundational part of every community and ought to be invested in as such,” Loughran Cappel said. “I thank Secretary White for his commitment to maintaining excellent learning environments in every part of the state.”

The $230,344 received by four local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Libraries will use the grants from the secretary of state’s office to help fund new services and products, such as audiobooks, adult programming, dual language materials and more.  

“It’s incredibly important our libraries have what is necessary to keep up with the constantly evolving technology landscape,” Loughran Cappel said. “This funding will ensure our residents have access to modern learning tools.”

The following libraries in the district represented by Loughran Cappel will receive funds:

• Plainfield Public Library District, $111,122
• Oswego Public Library District, $90,851
• Shorewood-Troy Public Library District $28,371

For more information on the grants, people can visit the secretary of state’s website.

CHAMPAIGN – This Labor Day weekend, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is echoing law enforcement to spread the word of the dangers of drinking and driving.

“Drinking and driving under the influence is senseless behavior and can cost a life,” Bennett said. “These types of tragedies are preventable, and we don’t want to lose anyone this year.”

The high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign runs now through the early morning hours of Sept. 7. During this period, motorists in Champaign County, Vermilion County and across the state can expect to see stepped-up impaired driving patrols and seat belt enforcement, particularly at night, when seat belt usage rates are at their lowest. Speeders and distracted drivers should also be aware.

Energy legislation creates thousands of jobs, fights climate change

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is on its way to becoming a national leader in the fight for clean energy while preserving thousands of jobs thanks to a landmark piece of legislation championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort).

The measure sets an ambitious goal of transitioning Illinois’ electric generation to 100% renewable energy by 2050 and 50% renewable energy by 2040. It also provides funding to keep Illinois’ nuclear plants open, helping preserve thousands of jobs and ensuring that they aren’t replaced with fossil fuel-burning plants that would contribute to climate change.

“After years of difficult negotiations, a broad coalition of stakeholders came to a bipartisan agreement that will define the future of clean energy in Illinois," Hastings said. "The Illinois Senate, and the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, refuse to allow ratepayers to foot the bill for a transition to a cleaner energy future that did not include our valued nuclear fleet."

Read more.

Happy Labor Day

This upcoming Labor Day, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus would like to thank all the hardworking people of Illinois who make this state a great place to live. We would like to give extra praise to the essential and frontline workers who have spent more than a year risking their health and livelihood to take for the rest of us. Thank you!

In case you missed it

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Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Chicago: Gov. Pritzker signs legislation to protect and preserve cultural communities In Illinois | Riverbender.com

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The Office of the Senate President is seeking highly-motivated attorneys for the 2021-2022 legislative session. For more information about the legislative assistant legal counsel position, click here.

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NAPERVILLE – Families across the 21st District will soon be able to enjoy upgrades to services at their local libraries as a result of almost $330,000 in state grants, announced State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville).

“Libraries provide so many necessary services to local families,” Ellman said. “The resources we give to our libraries, they put back into our communities tenfold.”

The $330,000 in grants received by five local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

LOCKPORT – Patrons of local libraries will soon see service upgrades due to more than $521,000 in state grants, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) announced.

“Libraries are such a valuable resource to our communities,” Connor said. “Not only can residents borrow books and movies at the library, but they can access the internet reliably, use public computers and printers, or even just find a quiet space to study or work remotely.”

The $521,000 received by five local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

PEORIA – A number of libraries in the 46th District will soon receive upgrades to services as a result of more than $363,000 in state grants, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced.

“Libraries provide our communities with a wide range of resources beyond lending books and movies,” Koehler said. “Many people rely on libraries for access to the internet or to be able to use computers and printers. It’s critical that we provide our libraries with the support they need to keep offering these resources.”

The $363,000 received by 12 local libraries is part of $18.1 million in grants awarded to 638 public libraries across the state. For more than 40 years, the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Program has helped public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

GRAYSLAKE — A steadfast advocate of a woman’s right to choose, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement after Texas’ six-week abortion ban went into effect early Wednesday morning due to inaction from the nation’s top court:

“Millions of women across Texas were just stripped of their right to choose — and the impact is bound to be devastating. It’s disheartening and downright appalling that a basic health care right is being attacked in yet another state.

“Restrictive laws like the one in Texas don’t ban abortion — they ban safe abortion. They make abortion more dangerous and kill women. 

“While I am relieved women in Illinois are able to depend on the reproductive health care they need, I can honestly say I am afraid of what’s next when it comes to the infringement upon women’s rights across this country. We must stand strong against this misogyny.” 

Bush championed a law in 2017 that ensures Illinois women would still have access to safe and legal abortions should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. She also led the monumental 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which repealed outdated abortion laws that have been blocked by the courts and ensured reproductive health care is treated like all other health care, and not as a crime.