Koehler, Hunter highlight Illinois Works Bid Credit Program

CHICAGO – State Senators Dave Koehler and Mattie Hunter are highlighting the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program, a key component of the state's comprehensive strategy to enhance equity and access in capital construction employment through the Illinois Works Jobs Program.

“Illinois’ greatest asset is its people, and through the Bid Credit Program, the State of Illinois is providing incentives to contractors who hire within our world-class workforce,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The Illinois Works Jobs Program is essential to promoting diversity and increasing opportunity for Illinoisans throughout the state.”

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Belt helps secure funding to address rural nursing shortage

EAST ST. LOUIS – To address the nursing shortage rural communities are currently facing, State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure $150,000 in funding for nursing student scholarships at McKendree University.

“In order to end the nursing shortage in smaller communities, we need to hone in on incentives and other investments that shine light on this career path,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Nurses are essential in our hospitals, and we cannot afford to continue seeing declining numbers of them.”

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Stadelman announces $44 million in grants for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is announcing $44 million in grants is available to bolster public electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state.

“These grants present a remarkable opportunity to enhance Illinois’ infrastructure while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Investing in public EV charging infrastructure is not only essential for supporting electric vehicle adoption but also for fostering economic growth and sustainability in our communities.”

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Sound of the State: Expanding access to IVF in Illinois

As lawmakers in several states work to make it harder for people seeking to start or grow their family with assisted reproductive technology, State Senators Cristina Castro, Natalie Toro and Michael Hastings joined the Sound of the State to discuss three bills they’re working on to protect and expand access to these services in Illinois.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is announcing $44 million in grants is available to bolster public electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state.

“These grants present a remarkable opportunity to enhance Illinois’ infrastructure while simultaneously reducing our carbon footprint,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Investing in public EV charging infrastructure is not only essential for supporting electric vehicle adoption but also for fostering economic growth and sustainability in our communities.”

This is the second round of grants available to fund the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at publicly accessible locations. This grant opportunity is funded by the historic Stadelman-backed Rebuild Illinois, and authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

 EAST ST. LOUIS – To address the nursing shortage rural communities are currently facing, State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure $150,000 in funding for nursing student scholarships at McKendree University.

“In order to end the nursing shortage in smaller communities, we need to hone in on incentives and other investments that shine light on this career path,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Nurses are essential in our hospitals, and we cannot afford to continue seeing declining numbers of them.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded a total of $150,000 through a nursing school grant to McKendree University. The grant was awarded through a competitive application process where institutions submitted enrollment, retention, completion and job placement rates of their students during a multi-year period and how grant funds would be used to enhance their program’s efforts to close equity gaps and improve student success.

Nursing school grants will be used to enhance nursing programs and efforts to close equity gaps in enrollment, course completion, graduation and licensure by underrepresented students. Funds may be used for hiring additional nursing faculty and staff, developing and expanding instructional programs and modalities, expanding academic support services, improving classroom and lab spaces, purchasing equipment and instructional materials and more.

“Investing in our health care workforce not only strengthens our local hospitals and other health care systems, but it also ensures that people have immediate access to quality care,” said Belt. “I’m pleased IBHE provided funds to McKendree’s nursing program so we can continue to grow quality, trained nurses down here in the Metro East.”

To see a full list of nursing school grant awardees across the state, click here.

CHICAGO – State Senators Dave Koehler and Mattie Hunter are highlighting the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program, a key component of the state's comprehensive strategy to enhance equity and access in capital construction employment through the Illinois Works Jobs Program.

“Illinois’ greatest asset is its people, and through the Bid Credit Program, the State of Illinois is providing incentives to contractors who hire within our world-class workforce,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The Illinois Works Jobs Program is essential to promoting diversity and increasing opportunity for Illinoisans throughout the state.”

The Illinois Works Bid Credit Program caters to contractors engaged in or seeking involvement in State of Illinois-funded capital projects. It offers eligible contractors the chance to earn bid credits by hiring and retaining graduates of the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. These programs collectively seek to cultivate a pipeline of skilled and diverse candidates to fill new job opportunities created by the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.

Senate Democrats fight to strengthen outdated child labor laws

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ existing child labor laws have not been substantially updated since the industrial era – nor have they been brought into alignment with the prevailing service economy of the 21st century.

To better safeguard the rights and well-being of the state’s youngest residents, State Senator Robert Peters is leading a measure to protect youth from exploitation – which he outlined at a press conference.

“Young people in the workforce encounter challenges unique to their generation,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This necessitates broader rules and regulations to safeguard their rights, safety, and well-being. Through expanded child labor laws, this legislation further protects a healthy balance between their work responsibilities, their education, extracurricular activities and personal lives.”

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Senate Democrats outline plan to protect youth from e-cigarettes

SPRINGFIELD – E-cigarette use is rising dramatically among Illinois teens – with the newest culprit of the epidemic being vapes that look highlighters, markers and other school supplies.
During a press conference last week, State Senators Julie Morrison and Meg Loughran Cappel outlined their proposals to curb the youth vaping epidemic.

“The dangerous and addictive nature of nicotine consumption is the reason I have taken a strong stand on this issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products.”

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Collins advocates for youth in care: 'Their transition out of DCFS is vital to their future'

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her advocacy for youth in care across Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is pushing for legislation to address their struggles and how Illinois can help with the transition out of DCFS and support their future.

“As someone who has gone through the foster care system and faced homelessness on my departure, I cannot explain how vital this change is for so many who are currently in the state’s care,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Making sure our youth can transition out of care to find stability and thrive in life is my top priority.”

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Sound of the State: A new episode on legalizing psilocybin

State Senators Rachel Ventura and Mike Porfirio join the Sound of the State to discuss Ventura’s new CURE Act legislation that would help veterans and those afflicted with mental illnesses.

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Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her advocacy for youth in care across Illinois, State Senator Lakesia Collins is pushing for legislation to address their struggles and how Illinois can help with the transition out of DCFS and support their future.

“As someone who has gone through the foster care system and faced homelessness on my departure, I cannot explain how vital this change is for so many who are currently in the state’s care,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Making sure our youth can transition out of care to find stability and thrive in life is my top priority.”

Collins’ legislation, Senate Bill 2820, would extend the eligibility for youth in care from 21 years old to 23 years old, allowing youth to stay in the DCFS system for two more years.

SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., the pawnbroker industry will now have enhanced oversight to ensure it is being fair, transparent and equitable.

“Working with consumer advocates and other interested stakeholders, we passed a comprehensive plan to ensure transparency and ethical practices within the pawnbroker industry,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The Predatory Loan Prevention Act stopped many forms of predatory lending in Illinois, and we are working to continue down that path.”

Sims’ law creates the Pawnbrokers Regulation Act of 2023, regulating how a pawnbroker can operate and conduct its operations to ensure they are being fair, transparent, and equitable. It gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee and regulate the industry. Further, it establishes a complaint and penalty system, which could result in the termination or suspension of a pawnbroker’s license.

SPRINGFIELD – Excess light emitted at night – from buildings to street lights – poses serious harm and risk to birds, insects and people across the state. To address the negative impact on Illinoisans and wildlife, State Senator Laura Ellman is working to reduce light pollution by establishing outdoor lighting control requirements.

“Birds, insects and people all experience the harsh effects of bright lights in our environment and our night sky,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By regulating future lighting projects in our state, we aim to diminish the disruptions to migrating birds across our Mississippi flyway, restore nocturnal insects’ natural cycles in the environment, and prevent humans from feeling the effects of blue light on their vision.”

Light pollution refers to the brightening of the night sky by man-made light sources, including street lights and buildings. Excessive light in our night sky causes a variety of issues, such as interfering with bird migration, nocturnal insects and our optical health.