CHICAGO – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is urging drivers to follow Scott’s Law after six more Illinois State Police troopers were hit while responding to roadside incidents this week, marking 10 crashes caused by drivers who didn’t slow down and move over when they saw a roadside first responder in 2021.

“As a former police officer, I know the life-threatening situations law enforcement officers face on the job. Drivers have the power to reduce that risk for officers and first responders addressing incidents on the side of the road,” Munoz said. “If you see flashing lights, slow down and move over—it’s the law, and it might just save a life.”

According to the Illinois State Police, three Scott’s Law-related collisions occurred in just one day. Six of the 10 crashes have left troopers with injuries, and one in Will County on Feb. 15 left a trooper seriously injured.

SPRINGFIELD – In a conversation following the governor’s annual budget address Wednesday, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) offered her perspective on the proposal and pointed to areas that need further negotiation.

“I think this starts our discussion,” Murphy said. “First off, we have to finalize, hopefully, addressing COVID-19—we have to get everybody vaccinated so we can go forward from that.”

Murphy expressed her support for certain parts of the governor’s proposal, including plans to fully fund the state pension system and increase funding to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, which has been overwhelmed with unemployment insurance claims since the onset of the pandemic.

Using the governor’s proposal as a starting point, Murphy says she hopes lawmakers will be able to negotiate more assistance for middle-class Illinois families, especially parents with college-age students struggling to afford tuition.

The full interview is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) will chair the first hearing of the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee at 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

The hearing will cover the strategic plan for COVID-19 recovery and relief in the hospitality industry and will feature testimony from representatives of various areas of the industry, including Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association; Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association; Jayne Deluce from the Champaign County Visitors Bureau; and Cara Bader, representing the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Aurora, Ill. – Headed by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), the Senate Labor Committee held a subject matter hearing Wednesday morning regarding unemployment issues stemming from the pandemic, with a focus on input from business and labor representatives.

“The dramatic increases in unemployment and several new federal unemployment programs bogged down the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s offices and website, which kept thousands of Illinoisans from accessing their unemployment payments, adding more economic stress on top of job losses,” Holmes said. “They were understaffed and underfunded to meet this unprecedented demand.” 

SPRINGFIELD — Democratic members of the Illinois Senate reacted to Governor JB Prtizker’s budget proposal Wednesday, acknowledging he has been faced with unprecedented challenges but hoping for stability and predictability.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said the governor’s proposal is a good-faith effort to both recognize our state’s financial realities and honor our commitments and priorities.

“Coming out of this pandemic, we need to get people back to work. Our first priority with any tax incentive needs to be jobs for hardworking Illinoisans,” Harmon said. “So, I think it’s fair to ask what the hardworking taxpayers of Illinois are getting in return for these corporate tax breaks. It’s entirely appropriate to put some of these incentives under the microscope to see what works and get rid of what doesn’t. Senate Democrats, however, are always interested in finding resources for education. I suspect this year will be no different.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus called a press conference Wednesday to offer their responses to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget address.

Black Caucus leaders addressed the parts of the governor’s budget proposal relating to the ILBC’s four-pillar legislative agenda aiming to rid Illinois of systemic racism, improve academic opportunities for low-income and minority students, foster economic development in communities of color, and increase investments in minority-owned businesses and disadvantaged communities.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement on Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget:

“This proposal is a good-faith effort by the governor to both recognize our state’s financial realities and honor our commitments and priorities.

“Coming out of this pandemic, we need to get people back to work. Our first priority with any tax incentive needs to be jobs for hardworking Illinoisans.

“So, I think it’s fair to ask what the hardworking taxpayers of Illinois are getting in return for these corporate tax breaks. It’s entirely appropriate to put some of these incentives under the microscope to see what works and get rid of what doesn’t.

“Senate Democrats, however, are always interested in finding resources for education. I suspect this year will be no different.”

Hazardous road conditions cause spike in roadside crashes

WILL COUNTY – To help keep first responders safe while they assist motorists on the side of the road, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Plainfield) and State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) are reminding residents to reduce speed, switch lanes if possible and drive cautiously when emergency lights are visible.

"Scott's Law means move over for emergency vehicles, which is especially important with the winter weather conditions we're currently experiencing," Loughran Cappel said. "I am grateful the trooper involved in the accident in Will County has been released with non-life-threatening injuries, and I urge drivers to move over and drive slowly when passing emergency vehicles to prevent further tragedy."