CHICAGO – Concerned about the ethics and transparency of recent moves made by top leaders of the Illinois Tollway, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) called a hearing Tuesday to push for answers regarding the sudden change in the quasi-governmental agency’s chain of command.

“We must ensure that we are providing the most transparent process by effectively and efficiently operating the Tollway,” Murphy said. “This is significant to the consumers of the Tollway.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Human Trafficking Task Force welcomes three new members to develop plans to confront human trafficking in response to the growing number of missing women and girls, particularly women and girls of color, in the state.

“I was proud to sponsor the legislation creating the Human Trafficking Task Force that will have a special focus on the disproportionate number of missing Black girls and women in Illinois,” State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) said. “These crimes are hiding in plain sight and represent a form of industrialized kidnapping and modern-day slavery.” 

The task force is responsible for studying human trafficking in the state and giving recommendations to the General Assembly on how to fight it. These efforts are intended to address abduction in the state, which affects all people regardless of demographics such as age, citizenship and gender.

CHICAGO – New laws sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) will help raise awareness in schools for students who are at higher risk of suicide or dealing with other mental health challenges as soon as next year.

“Mental health challenges have risen dramatically.  We need to ensure that our teachers and administrators have every tool they need to identify students who are suffering and ensure those students get the resources they need,” Martwick said.

Under new law, public school students will be able to take excused absence days to prioritize their mental or behavioral health and make up missed work. 

CHICAGO – Concerned about the lack of resources for youth residential mental health services, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) led a joint hearing Wednesday with the Senator Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and the House Mental Health and Addiction Committee.

“The resources available for residential and inpatient mental health services for children across Illinois are severely lacking,” Senator Fine said. “This has been a crisis for a long time, but the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have put it in the spotlight.”

ROCKFORD – Starting Jan. 1, Illinois and American flags purchased to fly at state agencies and institutions must be manufactured in the United States, thanks to a law spearheaded by State Senator Steve Stadelmen (D-Rockford). 

“We should be supporting local manufacturing companies that work hard and deserve our business,” Stadelman said. “We have no reason to be buying flags of our own state that are made in other countries.”

The new law will change the Flag Display Act to no longer allow state institutions and agencies to purchase American and Illinois flags from manufacturers outside of the U.S.

WHEELING – Chicago Executive Airport – which sees 80,000 corporate, charter and light recreational aircraft each year – will receive more than $1 million in funding to make upgrades, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) announced Thursday.

“Chicago Executive Airport gives corporate travelers and recreational flyers a unique experience to fly into the less crowded suburbs and head into the city,” Morrison said. “The upgrades made will allow even more people to take advantage of the state of the art facility.” 

Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling will receive nearly $1.1 million to work on some of its roads and parking. The money granted is part of a $94 million funding project to revitalize both large and small airports across the country.

Morrison was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois capital program in 2019, which created a six-year plan to update the state’s aging transportation system, create jobs and promote economic growth. The money allocated to Chicago Executive Airport came from the bipartisan, multi-regional plan.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by visiting https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

AURORA – The Aurora Municipal Airport in the 42^nd District, represented by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), will receive much-needed upgrades thanks to nearly $1.6 million in state funding.

“As Aurora continues to grow, our transportation hubs must be up to par to serve our economy,” Holmes said. “The airport provides good-paying jobs to area residents, and lets local businesses and industries move their people and products in a safe and efficient manner.”

The funding is provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, and designates a total of $94 million for 96 airport projects in urban and rural communities across the state. Projects will include planning, construction, reconstruction, development and improvement of public airports to increase safety and efficiency. Communities also will benefit from increased aviation access, good-paying jobs during construction and long-term opportunities for workforce expansion.

Aurora Municipal Airport will receive $1.3 million to rehabilitate parking lots and the entrance road, and $279,000 to overlay perimeter roadways.

“I’m excited to see how these improvements will help Aurora’s future economy and job market by attracting more business,” Holmes said. “These grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs and modernize their facilities.”

A full list of recipients as well as designated projects can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Low-income families can now apply for help with their bills to avoid water and sewer shut off, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Wednesday.

“Many families are forced to spend a large percent of their monthly income on utility services,” Belt said. “This funding provides stability for low-income customers who need assistance paying their monthly utility bills.”

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program provides $42 million to help people avoid shut offs, assist households that have already had their services shut off or provide assistance to residents unable to pay their water and sewer bills.