SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) co-sponsored legislation lowering trailer registration fees from $118 to $36 that passed out of the Senate on Monday.

“People in my district and all across the state have struggled under disproportionately high trailer registration fees,” Koehler said. “I receive many calls from constituents on this particular issue, and I’m proud to be able to bring their concerns to the table in Springfield.”

The legislation designated all trailers that weigh 3,000 pounds or less “utility trailers” and sets the registration fee for said utility trailers at $36. This applies only to trailers primarily for personal use. If signed into law, the bill would also repeal the $10,000 cap on the trade-in vehicle sales tax credit and increase the private vehicle tax by $75 for each model year where the purchase price is less than $15,000 and $100 if the purchase price is above $15,000.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a measure to put an end to the demand for pets from inhumane breeding operations by requiring pet stores to source their animals from rescue shelters.

“We’ve seen too many families purchase pets from a pet shop, only to take them home and find out they have a myriad of health issues,” Castro said. “Too often, pet shops source their animals from intensive breeding facilities that treat animals like objects instead of the living, breathing creatures they are.”

CHICAGO – Illinois bars and restaurants will have more options and more time to utilize the state’s “cocktails-to-go” program under a new law sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

“Many business owners in the hospitality industry were worried about recovering from COVID-19-related losses to their business,” Feigenholtz said. “We passed cocktails-to-go last year as a response to the pandemic, and it was a lifeline to restaurants. Expanding this further to give struggling bars and restaurants more options for cash management is crucial.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the state budget passing the Senate, State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) released the following statement:

"As we turn the corner from the COVID-19 pandemic, this budget helps Illinois to move forward together. 

“The budget brings much-needed investment right to our back yards. We kept our promises to fully fund our public schools and to provide our local governments with the resources they need to support our communities.  We also invested a great deal in infrastructure across the state.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today on the passage of a balanced state budget:

“It’s good that the General Assembly came together to pass a budget that meets the immediate needs of the communities across the state in areas of violence reduction, affordable housing, education and health, and ensures we strengthen child care.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has approved a plan led by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to create a state task force designed to review and address discrepancies in laws regarding child physical and sexual abuse.

“In my background as a prosecutor, I have witnessed the effects of abuse on sexual assault survivors, particularly children,” Crowe said. “By creating a task force with the common goal to improve the state’s handling of these incidents, we can defend our children as they undergo tremendous trauma.”

To address concerns in the medical response to child abuse, the Child Sexual and Physical Abuse Task Force will investigate, assess and make recommendations on the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA).

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on the passage of a state budget that fully funds a $350 million increase to school Evidence-Based Funding, level funding for Illinois universities and community colleges, and a $110 million investment toward opening pathways for the early childhood workforce to pursue credentials, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees:

“Despite so many challenges, the General Assembly was able to come together to ensure schools will receive increased funding according to the Evidence-Based Funding formula, and universities will be fully funded. Especially now, as we face a year where many students will be returning to school in-person for the first time, we have to fulfill our promise as a state to provide a high-quality education.

“In a time when schools and universities have adapted to the realities of a debilitating pandemic, this funding is even more crucial. These critical resources will extend a lifeline to students, faculty, and families.

“In the days ahead, I am eager to speak to residents of the 20th Senate District about the particulars of this spending plan and how it will affect them and to urge the governor to act swiftly to sign these appropriations into law.”