SPRINGFIELD – In 2018, Illinois prohibited the trade of ivory and rhino horn, but other animal species continue to face the threat of extinction due to demand for their parts. Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) says it’s time for Illinois to protect more species, and legislation for that purpose passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday.

“The federal policy regarding illegal smuggling and trafficking of wildlife parts has been strengthened, and it’s time for Illinois to get on board,” Holmes said. “Species are threatened with extinction because of these practices.”

House Bill 395 would prohibit the sale of products and parts of giraffes, sharks, sea turtles, pangolins, tigers, lions, great apes and other imperiled species. Some examples:

SPRINGFIELD – To pay tribute to fallen officers and their families, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago), a former Chicago Police Officer himself, attended the Illinois State Police Officers Memorial Ceremony in Springfield Thursday.

“This ceremony commemorates those who risk their lives every day to keep us safe and protect our communities,” Munoz said. “It is a time to honor the bravery of our fallen soldiers and show the surviving families that we support and care for them.”

The monument in Springfield, located on the West Lawn of the State Capitol, bears the names of the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. It was first dedicated in 1990, and a ceremony is held each year to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The names of every officer who died while serving during the previous year are engraved in the monument leading up to the ceremony. 

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) continued her efforts to fight human trafficking Thursday, passing legislation out of a Senate committee that would require human trafficking information and public service announcements be posted in public restrooms of businesses such as motels, truck stops, and restaurants.

“Illinois’ position at the crossroads of America means that human trafficking is happening here,” Collins said. “Raising the public’s awareness of this and conveying the message that we must work together to fight human trafficking is key, and posting this information is a first step to doing that.”

SPRINGFIELD – More than 20 years ago, a nuclear plant in the district State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) represents shut its door. People lost jobs and the community was eviscerated.

To help provide jobs in areas where coal plants, coal mines or nuclear plants have closed and to foster the development of green energy across the state, Bush passed a measure Thursday to create the Energy Transition Zone Act.

“To protect our environment and stop global warming, we need to close coal plants – that’s not up for debate,” Bush said. “But, as we make strides toward green energy, we can’t forget about the families who rely on these plants to put food on the table or the communities that need their tax dollars to function.”

CHICAGO— In an effort to provide instruction, training and support services to new and aspiring entrepreneurs, State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) is sponsoring House Bill 665, which would require the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to establish and support entrepreneurship assistance centers around the state.

“There are no simple rules or a checklist that can guarantee success as an entrepreneur,” Sims said. “Entrepreneurship is hard and often times presents many roadblocks in the early stages of planning. We want to make this process easier for those who have a passion to build their own brand while equipping them with the necessary skills to become successful.”

“Any economic recovery at the state level cannot leave working families behind.”

SPRINGFIELD – Speaking alongside other advocates for Illinois children and families, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) argued the necessity of his plan to institute a $600-per-child income tax credit at the state level before the Illinois Senate Revenue Committee Wednesday.

Simmons’ legislation, Senate Bill 2132, would offer a tax credit of $600 per child for single parents making less than $40,000 annually or jointly filing parents earning less than $60,000. The credit amount would decrease incrementally for families in higher income brackets.

“We have to face the reality that working families in particular have struggled through this pandemic, and targeted relief is what they need to recover,” Simmons said. “Supporting businesses is important, but any economic recovery effort we make at the state level cannot leave our working families behind.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans on Medicare would be able to switch supplemental plans without worrying about higher premiums, underwriting or pre-existing conditions under a new measure introduced by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“If their supplemental plan rates go up, many older adults are denied the chance to switch to a less expensive plan because of a pre-existing condition. They’re locked into their current plan,” said Murphy. “It’s time to give older Illinoisans the freedom to seek lower costs elsewhere.”

The measure would establish an annual open enrollment period for each Medicare supplement policyholder between 65 and 75 years of age that begins on the policyholder’s birthday and lasts 45 days.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – To address a growing need for residents in the Chicago Heights area to have convenient access to driver services, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) will join Secretary of State Jesse White to announce the opening of a new driver services facility at Prairie State College.

“This is an important announcement for the residents of Chicago Heights and surrounding areas who have been waiting much too long to have secretary of state services available close by,” Joyce said. “I have worked tirelessly with Rep. DeLuca and the secretary of state’s office to negotiate with Prairie State College to get the temporary location open as soon as possible so drivers have a convenient way to access state services. I’m hopeful we’ll get the regular driver services facility up and running soon, but for now, we’re working hard to make sure people still have access to the resources they need.”

Last summer, the Chicago Heights driver services facility was damaged by a fire and since then has been closed to the public. The closing of the Chicago Heights facility forced motorists to go out of their way to other secretary of state facilities in Midlothian, Joliet, Naperville and Bradley to seek out services.

“This is an important first step toward bringing much-needed services back to the residents of Chicago Heights and surrounding communities,” DeLuca said. “The people have waited far too long and have rightfully begun to run out of patience. Thanks to the leadership at Prairie State College and our partners at the Secretary of State for helping Senator Joyce and me to bring these services back to the community where they are needed. The next step will be to get the construction completed on the permanent Chicago Heights facility on 209^th Street, but until then, this temporary facility will be a huge help.”

Joyce and DeLuca understood residents’ frustrations and worked together to advocate for a temporary facility so residents could quickly access the services they need. The legislators are pleased with the site and are confident the facility will serve the community well until the construction is finished at the permanent site.

With questions or for additional information, contact Joyce’s office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com.

WHO:                   State Senator Patrick Joyce, State Representative Anthony DeLuca, Secretary of State Jesse White, and Dr. Thomas Saban, Interim President of Prairie State College

WHAT:                 Opening of a new temporary driver services facility  

                WHEN:                 Monday, May 10 at 11 a.m.      

WHERE:               Prairie State College – Prairie Center (indoors) on the main campus, 202 S.

Halsted St., Chicago Heights

                                                Visitors will arrive and park in lot A -- there are signs to direct guests