SPRINGFIELD – To honor the legacies of indigenous people across the country, State Senator Scott Bennett’s (D-Champaign) proposal to make the month of November Native American Heritage Month in Illinois cleared the Senate Wednesday.

“I’m thrilled to see this legislation advance so we can pay tribute to those who laid the foundation for our country,” Bennett said. “Native Americans have a rich and diverse culture, and their contributions and influences deserve to be recognized.”

SPRINGFIELD – A plan sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) that would improve financial preparedness among Illinois students passed the Senate Wednesday.

“The existing gap between students who feel prepared to do their own taxes or make investments and those who do not is glaring,” Loughran Cappel said. “Making sure students have the ability to learn real-life skills that are applicable in adulthood needs to be a priority.”

Senate Bill 1830 would allow either one year, or a semester, of a financial literacy course to count toward the social studies requirement to graduate high school.

In a study conducted by USA TODAY, of those who attended college, only 41% said they received enough information in college to build good financial habits and 30% said their high school education did so. When asked what they wish they had learned more about in school, financial topics were at the top of the list.

“It’s clear that we need to do more to provide our kids with incentives to take classes that can pay dividends for the rest of their adult lives,” Loughran Cappel said. “Passing legislation like this is simply one way to accomplish that and I look forward to seeking additional ways to help our kids grow.”

The legislation will now be considered before the House.

SPRINGFIELD – As college-bound seniors receive their acceptance letters and prepare for the fall semester, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is seeking to create a task force dedicated to making textbooks and other course materials more affordable.

“After a year of remote learning and working, we have all become more familiar with the advantages of digital resources like e-books,” Murphy said. “As we look ahead to recovery, it’s important that we find out how these resources can supplement current initiatives like subscription and rental programs to help reduce the financial burden on college students and their families.”

SPRINGFIELD – More survivors of violent crime would be able to keep their home addresses private as participants in the Illinois Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) under a proposal from State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) to expand protections for survivors of human trafficking.

“Violent crime survivors undergo substantial emotional and mental trauma,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By adding human trafficking to the list of crimes protected by the ACP, we’re offering survivors some peace of mind that their sensitive personal information is safe and protected against abusers.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick’s (D-Chicago) legislation creating property tax exemptions of up to $5,000 for police and firefighters with qualifying duty-related disabilities passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“First responders put their lives at risk everyday to protect all of us and our families,” Martwick said. “This bill provides some much needed tax relief for those first responders who have become injured and disabled while serving.”

Senate Bill 1572 creates a property tax homestead exemption of up to $5,000 for police officers and firefighters with qualifying duty-related disabilities. Such exemptions would only apply if their homes have an assessed value of less than $250,000.

SPRINGFIELD – A no-contact order typically instructs a defendant not to have any in-person contact with a victim. However, unless a measure passed through the Senate by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) becomes law, they could still hound their accuser via text message, email or social media.

“When a person pursues a no-contact order against someone, there is nothing stopping the perpetrator from sending threatening texts or leaving harassing voicemails,” Bush said. “In the age of technology and online dating, far too many people have experienced unwarranted communications after drawing the line.”

SPRINGFIELD – To improve transparency around prescription drug costs, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) moved a measure through the Senate requiring pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale.

“Consumers deserve to know the lowest drug prices at their pharmacy so they can make an informed decision about where they buy their prescriptions,” Bennett said. “High prescription drug prices affect us all, and this legislation seeks to provide truth and transparency.”

Under Senate Bill 1682, pharmacies would be required to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices. Customers would also be told the retail price of a prescription drug, both in writing and electronically, prior to purchase. 

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) moved a plan through the Senate Wednesday to improve the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program.

“This program helps children build a financially secure future from day one,” Bennett said. “This legislation would also give the Illinois treasurer the tools needed to implement the program to help eliminate barriers to families saving for college.”

In 2019, the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, established as part of the Illinois treasurer’s existing Bright Start and Bright Directions programs, was signed into law. Under this law, the treasurer will automatically deposit $50 into a college savings account for every child born or adopted in Illinois after Dec. 31, 2020.