Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Sports fans may soon have additional options for special license plates thanks to legislation by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) that passed the Illinois Senate Thursday.

“Showing support for your favorite team will now include our fine soccer and basketball teams,” Villivalam said. “These license plates will provide additional revenue for the state while showcasing the teams that drive our success.”

House Bill 4434 authorizes the Illinois Secretary of State to issue special license plates for the Chicago Sky, Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire. Other professional sports teams with special plates include the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) passed a measure to provide law enforcement officers with additional tools and training opportunities to help keep communities safe.

“One message that I frequently hear across the district is that public safety and a rise in crime continue to be a major concern,” Morrison said. “Yet staffing shortages are hindering police from best protecting their communities.

Morrison is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 3863, which would create the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to support departments through the hiring and training processes and help with retention strategies.

SPRINGFIELD – To keep children safe from reckless drivers, State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) passed legislation to make speeding in park zones an equivalent punishment to speeding in school zones.

“Parents should have the peace of mind that when their student is at school or at the park playing or running around with friends that they’re safe from reckless drivers,” Jones said. “When children are outside, drivers must be cautious and careful behind the wheel.”

House Bill 5328 would make speeding in a park zone the same as speeding in a school zone. Additionally, it clarifies that school zone speed limits apply to local, county and state roadways.

SPRINGFIELD – Based on recommendations made by a constituent, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) advanced a measure to make life easier for veterans seeking sporting licenses. House Bill 4680 streamlines the process to apply for and attain fishing, hunting and sportsmen’s combination licenses.

“When a gentleman contacted me and let me know that his only choice to get one of these licenses was to go all the way to Springfield to apply in person, I knew there had to be a better way to serve our veterans,” Holmes said. “We worked with DNR to fix an oversight in this process: after years of there being five locations to get these licenses, it was down to one. There are now electronic ways to achieve the same goal.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) stood alongside Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart at a press conference Wednesday to outline a plan to create a 24/7 recovery hotline to help law enforcement quickly track stolen vehicles as the rise of carjackings continues.

“We must improve technology – law enforcement officials should have the ability to track carjackers and have the tools they need to tackle the increasing problem head on,” Hastings said. “The faster we are able to locate where a carjacker is and arrest them, the safer our communities will be.” 

Chicago's 2021 tally was the most on record over the last 20 years. Carjackings had been steadily declining in the city after 2001, hitting a low of 303 in 2014 but began to tick upward before skyrocketing to 1,400 in 2020 following the onset of the pandemic. Last year saw more than five times as many carjackings as in 2014.

SPRINGFIELD – To offer financial relief to struggling wine makers, the Illinois Senate adopted a measure championed by State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to lower licensing fees for first-class manufacturers.

“Wineries are unique small businesses providing service to residents and visitors throughout the entire state,” Crowe said. “By re-implementing the previous licensing fees, we can offer financial support to wine operators as they work to recover following pandemic-related burdens.”

In partnership with the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Crowe’s measure lowers the licensing fees for first-class wine manufacturers to $750 if renewed online and $900 for initial or non-online certification. Under a law passed in 2021, the fees were raised to $1,200 if renewed online and $1,500 for initial licenses and non-online.

SPRINGFIELD – To better recognize the historic injustices that Black farmers face in the agriculture industry, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to create the Agriculture Equity Commission.

“For far too long, our Black famers have been systemically pushed out of the agriculture sector of Illinois,” Simmons said. “My goal is to see this commission address the root issues and find actionable solutions to give Black farmers justice in the largest job producing sector in Illinois.”

The commission would reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities, businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture and related matters.

SPRINGFIELD – As the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States nears, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) championed a measure to establish a commission to carry out celebrations in Illinois leading up to and commemorating the day.

“The 250^th anniversary of our country’s founding will be a special time for the nation as we reflect on our history and accomplishments while also charting a course for the future,” Turner said. “Celebrations will ring from the coast of Maine to the glaciers of Alaska, and Illinois will join in those celebrations with a truly special program.”

This measure follows a federal initiative to create a national USA 250 commission. Members of the state commission will include representatives from the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as members picked by a bipartisan group of government leaders. The Director of the Illinois State Museum will serve as the Illinois America 250 Commission Chair.