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.” 

DANVILLE – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) invites Vermilion County residents to participate in a town hall meeting about the spring legislative session.  

“This town hall will give residents the opportunity to get a recap of the spring legislative session and discuss new laws that might benefit the community,” Bennett said. “It’s important to me to maintain an open dialogue with my constituents about what I am doing to represent them in Springfield.” 

Those unable to attend the meeting can still share their thoughts by contacting Bennett’s Danville office at 217-442-5252.

To stay up to date on events Senator Bennett’s office is hosting this summer, he urges residents to visit SenatorBennett.com.

WHAT:                 Danville town hall on spring legislative session

WHEN:                Wednesday, June 2 at 6 p.m.  

WHERE:             Danville Area Community College, Bremer Theater

                           2000 E. Main St., Danville

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) applauded investments in pensions, local governments and the Illinois workforce in the upcoming fiscal year budget, which passed the Senate Monday.

“This is a balanced budget. I believe the most important part of what we passed tonight is that we will make our full pension payment as planned,” Holmes said. “This is such a cornerstone of our ongoing efforts to address our underfunded pension system.”

Holmes noted this budget funds the Local Government Distributive Fund, which allocates resources to local governments, at 100% with $1.6 billion. With many communities still recovering from the pandemic, this investment could help governments fund everyday core services for their residents without increasing property taxes or other fees.

“One state agency in particularly urgent need of recovery resources is our Department of Employment Security,” said Holmes. “The pandemic revealed flaws in an unemployment security system that wasn’t designed to address the job losses, service problems and fraudulent claims that hit the state all at once last year.”

An increase of $163.9 million in state funds and $10 million in federal funds will go toward upgrading IDES technology to better serve out-of-work Illinoisans for FY2022. IDES will also get an extra round of funding for the current year of $525.8 million

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released the following statement in response to the passage of the state budget for fiscal year 2022:

“I am pleased that the budget passed by the General Assembly takes essential steps to improve our state’s fiscal status while continuing to invest in areas that promote growth for our state: health care and social services, education, and business development. This budget puts Illinois back on a path to financial stability.

“By paying down the entire $3.2 billion in short-term loans Illinois took out during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will save tens of millions of dollars in interest payments for taxpayers. This should send a strong message to the nation and to bond rating agencies that Illinois is serious about fiscal discipline.”