BOLINGBROOK – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) attended the ribbon cutting of Fountaindale Library’s new Bookmobile on Monday evening alongside State Representative Dagmara Avelar (D-Crest Hill), Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta of Bolingbrook, Fountaindale Library board members and many members of the community.

“The Fountaindale Library has been a cornerstone of our community for so long,” Loughran Cappel said. “For almost two decades, their Bookmobile has helped to get books into kids’ hands who otherwise wouldn’t have that access and opportunity.”

The new vehicle is a full-service mobile branch of the library that replaces the previous Bookmobile that had been in use since 2003. The Bookmobile provides scheduled stops around the community, visits Bolingbrook preschools, schools and senior facilities, and participates in many community events throughout the year. Members of the community can check out books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks from the Bookmobile, as well as apply for library cards and pick up holds.

Senate Democrats pass responsible balanced budget

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats passed a budget that supports top priorities for the state, including education and important social services. Their budget plan also responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional support to small businesses and workforce development programs.

“Not only is this budget balanced, it provides stability by making our full required pension payment, paying down the borrowing we needed last year and funding many of our priorities to put our state on the right path,” said State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the Senate’s chief budget expert. “As a member of the Illinois legislative Black Caucus and sponsor of its criminal justice pillar, I am also proud that this budget funds the enhanced training and other associated improvements passed earlier this year to enact the SAFE-T Act.”

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Gillespie passes ethics reform package, vows to rebuild trust in government

SPRINGFIELD – To end the culture of corruption and increase transparency in government, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed a sweeping ethics package in the Illinois Senate last week.

“This legislation takes the first steps in addressing some of the most egregious scandals in our state’s history,” Gillespie said. “It offers bipartisan solutions to reestablish public trust in our institutions and is the result of several conversations in our legislative working group on ethics.”

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Holmes' unemployment security reform passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – After an unprecedented 14 months for the Illinois Department of Employment Security with thousands of residents out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate passed a bipartisan reform package led by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to overhaul the way the department addresses unemployment benefits claims.

“This represents an agreement by business and labor groups along with IDES, to fix the state’s unemployment system,” said Holmes. “It aims to correct the flaws revealed in a system that wasn’t designed to address the job losses, customer service problems, and fraudulent claims that hit the state all at once during the pandemic.”

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Feigenholtz extends cocktails-to-go program

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.”

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“This plan fosters greater equity for a workforce entrusted with our most valuable assets—our children.”

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas’ (D-Chicago) plan to bolster the early childhood education workforce by creating a statewide higher education consortium passed the Illinois General Assembly May 31. The General Assembly also approved $110 million for standing up the consortium through American Rescue Plan Act federal funds.

“This consortium represents a collaborative effort within the higher education ecosystem to streamline opportunities to upskill incumbent early childhood professionals who are place-based, low wage earners who are mostly women of color,” Pacione-Zayas said. “We need to remove barriers by expanding access and affordability in this field to show support for the workforce that cares for and educates our youngest while families work and pursue educational goals.”

SPRINGFIELD – A resolution from State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) asking the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board to consider standardizing property tax appeals passed out of the Senate.

“People across the state are struggling to appeal their property taxes, leaving them stuck with unnecessary costs and sometimes little help,” Connor said. “Different property tax appeals processes exist throughout Illinois, meaning some homeowners get different outcomes than others for the same issues.”

The resolution urges the Property Tax Appeal Board to deliver a report to the Illinois Senate on or before Oct. 1, 2021 that examines the feasibility and associated costs of implementing a centralized property tax appeal submission platform.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would allow school districts to conduct district wide e-learning days when schools are used as polling places passed the Senate Monday.

“This legislation empowers both our schools and our democracy,” Koehler said. “Students will not have to sacrifice education when school buildings must be closed for use as polling places, and our polling places will, in turn be more accessible.”

The legislation allows for school districts to conduct district wide e-learning days when schools are used as polling places. If a school district elects to use e-learning days, all contractors who provide education support services to the district would receive regular rate of pay or billings.

DES PLAINES – To help Illinois renters and landlords take advantage of up to $25,000 or 15 months in assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to host an informational webinar via Facebook Live on June 9 at 5 p.m.

“Many families are still struggling with job and income losses due to the pandemic, and as a result, they’re behind on rent payments,” Murphy said. “This program offers much-needed assistance to renters who still need some time to get back on their feet.”

During the webinar, an official from the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide a walkthrough of the application process, offer helpful tips and answer questions. The event will be streamed live on Murphy’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenatorLauraMurphy.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the General Assembly’s passage of a state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) released the following statement:

“Illinoisans are seeking social services at an unprecedented rate due to the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the investments we’re making in disability support services and mental health and substance abuse treatment will save lives across our state. 

“I am also happy to see our state stay true to its commitment to fully fund the evidence-based school funding formula to support the schools preparing to welcome students back in person after last year’s tough transition to hybrid and remote learning.

Illinois Senate Democrats passed a budget that supports top priorities for the state, including education and important social services. Their budget plan also responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional support to small businesses and workforce development programs.

“Not only is this budget balanced, it provides stability by making our full required pension payment, paying down the borrowing we needed last year and funding many of our priorities to put our state on the right path,” said State Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), the Senate’s chief budget expert. “As a member of the Illinois legislative Black Caucus and sponsor of its criminal justice pillar, I am also proud that this budget funds the enhanced training and other associated improvements passed earlier this year to enact the SAFE-T Act.”

The budget continues the caucus’ commitment to evidence-based funding reform for Illinois’ public schools with a $350 million investment in additional resources. This money will go to school districts that need it most, helping uplift lower-income urban and rural communities.