SPRINGFIELD – According to a CNBC report, 15% of American have no retirements savings. State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) wants to change that by expanding the Secure Choice Savings Program – Illinois’ landmark program to help everyone save for retirement.

“Saving for retirement is hard, and people honestly need help,” Martwick said. “We’ve already seen that the Secure Choice Savings Program makes a difference. Having retirement savings taken directly out of your paycheck before you ever see the money reduces the temptation to spend it.”

The program creates a default retirement savings program for people whose employers don’t provide retirement plans, which they must opt out of if they don’t want to participate.

SPRINGFIELD – Local park districts would have more time to complete projects funded through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant program under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), which has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature.

“The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on many local governments’ development plans, and some are still working to get back on schedule,” Murphy said. “I’m thrilled to see the Illinois legislature come together to give park districts the support, flexibility and time they need to recover at their own pace.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would allow the student member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to retain their seat until a new member is appointed passed the General Assembly on Thursday.

“It’s important that there’s always student representation on the Student Assistance Commission,” Ellman said. “It can’t truly perform its mission without the student perspective.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that students with disabilities can count on consistent accessibility standards in their remote learning, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas passed legislation in the Senate today requiring new statewide standards for web-based education.

"We need to learn from the challenges we've faced this past year, and acknowledge the reality that for many of our students, remote learning can be a major asset to their education if we make the effort to reasonably accommodate them," Pacione-Zayas said. "It's our duty to make these accommodations. I am gratified to see this pass the Senate."

The state's obligation to provide Free Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities applies to almost 18% of Illinois students, Pacione-Zayas said. In light of remote learning challenges revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the likelihood remote learning will persist as a mode of education in the future, adopting consistent standards is key, she said.

SPRINGFIELD – School lockdown drills would no longer include graphic simulations to mimic a school shooting under legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Schools must implement a trauma-informed approach for lockdown drills to protect our students,” Villa said. “School shooters continue to claim the lives of children across our country, and we need an approach to lockdown drills that will not be harmful to our students’ mental health.”

SPRINGFIELD – As businesses struggle to recover from pandemic-related financial hardship, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced a measure through the Senate Thursday with bipartisan support to help ease the burden.

“When making plans for economic recovery after the pandemic, local governments are capable of deciding what is best for the community’s financial future,” Glowiak Hilton said. “To provide support where it’s needed most, this measure allows units of local government to determine where waiving fees would be beneficial to a struggling business.”

The proposal creates an option for counties and municipalities to waive licensing, permitting or registration fees for local businesses and services. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate financial need from the pandemic.

SPRINGFIELD – To help protect the lives of young children with food allergies, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) championed a measure in the Senate that would create an anaphylactic policy for schools and day cares.

“Children spend most of their day at school, and both they and their parents deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that schools are well-equipped to assist when a student is having an allergic reaction,” Morrison said. “Creating a plan and training more employees on what to do if a student is having a reaction will save lives.”

SHOREWOOD – Legislation that would end the practice of burdening family members of deceased utility customers with early termination fees unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is the lead Senate sponsor of the measure.

“Grieving families have enough on their plate without having to worry about being saddled with wrongful utility fees,” Loughran Cappel said. “Ending the practice of charging next of kin in the event of an untimely death is a simple solution that I am proud to support.”

House Bill 122 would end early termination fees for utility customers who die before the end of a contract.