CHICAGO — State Senators Robert Peters, Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and Celina Villanueva joined advocates and community leaders Tuesday outside the Capitol in support of permanent funding for the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

“Our sole objective today is to ensure community violence intervention programs receive the funding they need,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “After enduring years of a system built to fail us, we've constructed a framework targeting the root causes of violence in our most underserved and overlooked communities. It's high time we pledge continued investments in these communities, and I am proud to lead this charge in the Senate.”

Signed into law in 2021, Peters championed the Reimagine Public Safety Act to address gun violence in Illinois by working with the communities most affected. Since becoming law, legislators have pursued additional measures to expand the act, bringing gun violence prevention training and programs to more areas. These programs often include initiatives such as conflict mediation, youth mentoring, job training, and community outreach.

SPRINGFIELD — Chicago homeowners who pay into home equity assurance programs could soon see their tax dollars put to better use through increased access to home repair, thanks to a measure presented by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“This bill allows home equity programs to serve their communities — communities that need aid after the unprecedented flooding we’ve experienced in the past few years,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Members pay into their programs for years, and it’s time we ensure they benefit.”

Illinois first allowed the creation of home equity assurance programs — or HEAPs — in 1987 with the goal of preserving the value of a resident’s property. The programs are funded through property taxes collected from homeowners in the HEAP district, who can enroll in the program by paying for an appraisal of their home. In return, they receive the guarantee that if they own the home for five years, they will not lose money when they sell their homes if the market value has dropped.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced a measure to create specialty Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates. 

“We are simply acknowledging the sacrifice these combat veterans made for our country,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This move is a small way for us to give Air Force veterans the recognition they deserve.”

Currently, the Air Force is the only branch of the military that does not have a license plate for combat veterans. The Illinois Secretary of State is authorized to issue Combat Action Ribbon license plates to members of the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, and Combat Action Badge license plates to special groups within the Army.

Senate Democrats celebrate improved fiscal outlook

SPRINGFIELD – Moody’s Investors Service, a major credit rating agency, revised the state’s outlook to “positive” – a move that can be attributed to the stability and responsibility of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“Moody’s is recognizing what has been recognized time and again with the state’s nine consecutive credit upgrades in the last two years: our fiscal responsibility is paying off,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”

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Faraci honors late Senator Scott Bennett

DANVILLE – To honor the life and legacy of the late Senator Scott Bennett, State Senator Paul Faraci joined elected officials, community members, as well as friends and family of Scott Bennett at a memorial to name portions of I-74 the "Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway."

“Senator Bennett continues to be remembered as a leader in our communities who dedicated his life to serving the people of Illinois,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “He will forever be missed, but his legacy will never be forgotten. This is one way we can continue to honor him for decades to come.”

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Morrison leads measure to improve early diagnosis of fatal pediatric disease

SPRINGFIELD – Standing alongside advocates from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy at a press conference, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her initiative to require each newborn to be screened for duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“DMD is a devastating disease – tragically taking young children from their parents,” said Morrison. “Requiring every newborn to be screened for duchenne muscular dystrophy will save precious lives and restore hope.”

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Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – Moody’s Investors Service, a major credit rating agency, revised the state’s outlook to “positive” – a move that can be attributed to the stability and responsibility of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

“Moody’s is recognizing what has been recognized time and again with the state’s nine consecutive credit upgrades in the last two years: our fiscal responsibility is paying off,” said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “Our future looks bright and I look forward to continued collaborative efforts with my colleagues to keep Illinois on this upward economic trajectory.”

Moody’s outlook change comes following nine credit rating upgrades that have come from the fiscally responsible budgeting approach of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

DANVILLE – To honor the life and legacy of the late Senator Scott Bennett, State Senator Paul Faraci joined elected officials, community members, as well as friends and family of Scott Bennett at a memorial to name portions of I-74 the "Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway."

“Senator Bennett continues to be remembered as a leader in our communities who dedicated his life to serving the people of Illinois,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “He will forever be missed, but his legacy will never be forgotten. This is one way we can continue to honor him for decades to come.”

Last spring, Faraci passed Senate Joint Resolution 32 designating I-74 from U.S. Route 45 in Champaign to the Indiana state line as the “Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway.” Today, the Illinois Department of Transportation placed signs along the interstate in his honor.

Cervantes advances bill to reduce barriers for real estate licensing

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Javier Cervantes passed a bill in the Senate to expand real estate licensing in Illinois to brokers licensed in another state.

“To modernize our real estate practices in Illinois, this legislation would promote greater diversity in the market for many residents to utilize,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Allowing more brokers and managers from other states to operate in Illinois would benefit our residents and the businesses wanting to operate in our state.”

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Preston's measure to ban harmful food additives passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to ban harmful chemicals in candy, soda and other food items sold and produced in Illinois.

“The FDA has failed to take action on this pressing issue,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Safer alternatives are already being used in the EU and other places. We need to make sure that safer choices are available to families in Illinois and hopefully, other states will follow so all consumers have access to the healthiest options.”

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Murphy measure to provide young adults in custody vital educational opportunities

SPRINGFIELD — Acknowledging a greater need for educational opportunities for young adults in custody, State Senator Laura Murphy is leading a measure to bring emerging adult programs to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

“As a state, we have a duty to ensure young adults in custody have the tools they need to thrive when they return to their communities,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Emerging adults deserve a fresh start when they leave custody, and this measure will put them on the path to successful reintegration.”

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SPRINGFIELD – To promote and highlight the importance of improving work place safety and honor those who have been injured or killed from workplace accidents, State Senator Rachel Ventura championed a resolution to declare April 26, 2024 as Workers' Memorial Day in Illinois.

“Despite regulations in place like the Occupational Safety and Health Act, thousands of dedicated workers across the country are killed, disabled or severely injured by occupational diseases or workplace injuries every year,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “It’s essential to practice safety in the workplace to prevent these injuries and deaths. Every person deserves a safe workplace as a fundamental right, and employers need to be diligent in following the rules in place.”

Senate Resolution 895 encourages all employers to reaffirm their efforts toward improving workplace safety and serves as a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work. Additionally, it strives to seek stronger health standard enforcement and treating workers with dignity as constant improvements in worker safety are pursed.

According to the U.S. Labor of Statistics, in 2022 around 2.8 million people experienced nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the private industry, in addition to 5,486 fatal injuries. In Illinois, private industry employers reported 112,500 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022.

Workers’ Memorial Day internationally is celebrated on April 28 following the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act that went into effect over 50 years ago, promising every worker the right to a safe job as a fundamental right.

“Recognizing Worker Memorial Day is important because it serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by workers who have lost their lives on the job,” said Ray Woodworth, executive director of Three Rivers Manufacturers’ Association. “It underscores the need for employers to prioritize the well-being of their employees. By commemorating this day, we reinforce our commitment to creating safer work environments.”

Senate Resolution 895 was approved by the Senate on Thursday.