MARYVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is encouraging K-12 students to create and submit artwork for the annual art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education. This year’s theme is “Art Surrounds Us.”

“Creating art is a great way for students to express themselves,” Crowe said. “The Metro East has many talented artists, and I hope students of all ages choose to participate in this statewide art contest.”

The contest includes four entry levels: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A panel of judges selects a winner and three runners-up in each entry level.

O’FALLON – The Tiedemann House in O’Fallon is one of 12 Illinois sites added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced Wednesday.

“I’m pleased to hear the Tiedemann House has been recognized on a national scale for its architectural and historical value,” Belt said. “This beautiful home is a critical piece of the history of Illinois and the Metro East, and it’s an honor to finally see it added to the National Register of Historic Places.”

Newly re-elected Senate President Harmon calls for lawmakers to focus on jobs and justice

SPRINGFIELD — Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon was re-elected President of the Illinois Senate on Wednesday, promising to continue delivering results for the people of Illinois and calling on his colleagues to focus on “jobs and justice” in the year ahead.

“It’s about making sure our people aren’t forgotten by our economy, or caught up in the cogs of the system to be lost forever,” Harmon said during the Senate’s COVID-19 restricted inauguration ceremony at the state Capitol. “Every day in this state, too many people wake up feeling like the deck has been stacked against them.”

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Sims' criminal justice reform passes Illinois General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois General Assembly passed a measure that would impose comprehensive criminal justice reforms on how police are held accountable for the use of force, how courts impose bail and sentence convicts, and what rights all citizens, including detainees and prisoners, have with regard to their interactions with law enforcement officers.

“I am gratified that the Senate has passed this major reform package, and I believe it is the first step to transforming criminal justice in Illinois in a way that will uplift our communities and support our law enforcement professionals,” Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. said. “This increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement, modernizes our bail and sentencing systems, and provides for greater protections and more humane treatment of those who have been arrested and accused of crime.”

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Monumental education package to rid Illinois of systemic racism clears the Senate

SPRINGFIELD — Black children across Illinois are a step closer to being ensured a quality education under a plan led by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that passed both Houses and is on its way to the governor. The legislation is part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ plan to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

The measure addresses education and workforce development from early childhood to adulthood. To help ensure school readiness, it strengthens early intervention services and sets a kindergarten readiness assessment in statute. Early intervention services, which help support the development of children with delays and disabilities, will now be available until the beginning of the school year after the child turns 3.

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Saying farewell to Senate colleagues

With the start of the 102nd General Assembly, we are saying farewell to several of our colleagues who are moving on to new opportunities. We will miss their contributions, commitment and camaraderie, but wish them nothing but more success in the future. Read more about their contributions to our caucus and their next steps here.

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As the new session begins, the Senate is pleased to welcome four new members to the body. They bring a range of professional and personal experience as well as valuable subject matter knowledge, and we can’t wait to see what they will contribute to our work for the people of Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) voted to pass multiple measures last week to advance the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda, hoping to improve racial equality throughout the state of Illinois.

“My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly for the last several months to create a plan that gets to the root of systemic injustice and rectifies the inequities facing our community piece by piece,” Hunter said. “I’m grateful to see that many of our ideas will soon come to fruition, and I’m excited to see our communities benefit.”

CHICAGO – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) partnered with Social Change to donate food and PPE at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church.

“People are still struggling to protect themselves from this virus while awaiting the wide distribution of the vaccine,” Hunter said. “PPE is still needed, and people are still in need of other basic necessities like food. Everyone loves to quote Dr. King, but those who follow in his footsteps are not as common.”

CHICAGO – Payday lenders will be prohibited from issuing loans with rates higher than 36% and Illinois government will require certain financial institutions to meet the needs of local communities under major reforms led by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus this past week.

Language from two major pieces of legislation by Collins, Senate Bills 1608 and 1792, were included in a comprehensive Black Caucus economic reform measure that passed the Illinois General Assembly Wednesday.

“How many of you want to get a credit card, maybe from Macy's or Neiman Marcus, at 80%, 99%?” Collins asked senators in her remarks prior to the bill’s passage in the Senate. “This is preying on certain communities. It's really a rebirth of redlining, housing covenants and all the other ills that have decimated my community. What we're trying to do is ensure they have an opportunity to build economic stability.”

SPRINGFIELD – During the lame duck legislative session, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) voted to pass legislation that will enact major criminal justice reform in the state of Illinois.

“I am proud that my colleagues and I were able to pass such monumental measures this week,” Van Pelt said. “With the implementation of these provisions, we hope to prevent tragedies like the ones we’ve seen in the past several years. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the violation of Anjanette Young—all situations that could have been avoided with such legislation in place.”