SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to give the residents of Pembroke Township the ability to heat their homes more affordably, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) moved legislation that would help bring a natural gas pipeline to the area.

“For years, the residents of Pembroke have suffered from a lack of resources and lack of investment, and they deserve better,” Joyce said. “I’ve worked alongside the people and leaders of Pembroke to solve this problem, and we’ve reached an agreement to make residents’ lives easier and safer.” 

This legislation creates the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program, which would allow Nicor Gas to extend its gas service territory to serve Pembroke Township.

At a December 2019 meeting, Nicor officials identified 400 homes and 22 businesses in the village for service in the project, estimated to cost $8 million.

SPRINGFIELD - With many Black and Brown Illinois residents trying to enter the cannabis industry but finding themselves shut out, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) has revisited cannabis licensing laws to ensure that these residents have a fair shot at obtaining a dispensary license.

"People from disadvantaged communities were disproportionately targeted during the war on drugs," Lightford said. "We have enough hurdles just being Black, and our communities deserve to reap the benefits of this new industry."

House Bill 1443 fixes Illinois’ recreational cannabis law to ensure that licenses for minority applicants that have been delayed since May 1, 2020 are actually awarded, as well as expanding the total number of licenses available. Currently, there are still no dispensaries controlled by someone who is Black, Brown, or a woman.

The legislation would create two additional lotteries of 110 adult use license dispensaries for people who are social equity applicants – i.e. from a Black or Brown community. The second lottery will consist of 55 licenses and is open to all applicants with a score of 85% of a total of 250 points and is a social equity applicant.

SPRINGFIELD – With adult-use recreational cannabis legal for over a year now, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) is praising changes to the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that would do more to encourage diversity in dispensary licensing.

“Social equity has always been at the forefront of cannabis legislation in Illinois, and it’s important that Illinois continue to be a leader as more states legalize,” Castro said. “I am proud to support the increases in social equity this year.”

The legislation, House Bill 1443, will provide more opportunities for social equity applicants to receive dispensary licenses, which will benefit Black and Brown communities and business owners across the state.

SPRINGFIELD – Property owners’ associations couldn’t stop Illinois households from making the switch to greener energy alternatives under a plan sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), which has passed the Senate.

“Solar panels are one of the best tools we have to make our homes greener and cleaner,” Johnson said. “Homeowners who want to install this technology on their own property shouldn’t have to wrestle with obstacles and delays.”

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatments would expand beyond women in heterosexual relationships under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Women of all ages, medical histories, partner statuses and sexual orientations should receive coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “This expansion would open the door for more Illinoisans to become mothers.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) advanced legislation that would improve mental health emergency responses through the Senate Friday.

“When you call an emergency number for a medical issue, you get a medical response, but you aren’t able to get a mental health response when you’re having a mental health emergency,” Peters said. “That must change.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that tax increment financing (TIF) dollars are used responsibly, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would expand the required reporting by municipalities to the Illinois Comptroller.

“Requiring measurable data from local governments will provide taxpayers with a better understanding of how TIF developments could affect their property taxes,” Gillespie said. “Our plan will create a transparent process that delivers opportunity while keeping our local governments honest.”

SPRINGFIELD – To help students make more informed choices about the loans they take out to pay for college as well as establish new accountability standards for private loan companies, Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed a measure through the Senate Friday.

“We have some of the best and brightest in our state, and yet many of them still struggle to navigate their student loan options,” Bennett said. “By giving students additional tools to see what their student borrowing really means, we can lessen some of the uncertainty they face after graduation.”

Bennett introduced the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act, which requires private lenders to confirm with a potential borrower’s school that the student’s tuition, housing and other costs are not covered by other sources of financial aid. Additionally, the legislation requires colleges and universities to notify students about their federal loan eligibility before certifying private loans.