Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – As rates of suicide and depression among young people rise, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) advanced a measure that would ensure suicide prevention information is readily available to college students.

“This past year has not been easy on anyone, including our college students, many of whom lost their jobs or were forced to move unexpectedly,” Cullerton said. “Crisis hotlines are vital resources for those who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. The easier these resources are to access, the better.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) designed to recognize the historical and present-day contributions of Muslim culture in the state of Illinois passed committee Tuesday.

“This measure looks to strengthen the awareness of cultural contributions made by the Muslim community across the nation and the state of Illinois,” Ellman said. “It’s our job to make sure all Illinoisans feel represented in this state. This measure makes sure we begin that process.”

The measure would require all Illinois public schools to cover contributions made by Muslims and Muslim Americans in history classes. Currently, the teaching of history in Illinois public schools must include the roles African Americans and other ethnic groups. This legislation would emphasize the importance of Muslim contributions in the state of Illinois. 

The measure would also honor one of the most famous practicing Muslims in modern American history by creating a new commemorative state holiday, declaring Jan. 17 Muhammad Ali Day in Illinois.

“Ali was known for his bravado in the ring, but for his lifelong humanitarian efforts, he served quietly,” Ellman said. “He really did float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.”

Senate Bill 564 passed the Senate Education Committee with a vote of 11-3 and will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration.

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) joined Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday as he signed the Predatory Loan Prevention Act, the culmination of years of work on the part of Collins and advocates to rein in the payday loan industry.

The legislation caps payday loan rates at 36%. Illinois will join 17 states and the District of Columbia in instituting such a cap.

“I was proud to stand as chief co-sponsor to this legislation,” Collins said. “Payday loans are targeted directly at communities of color and only reinforce the dynamics that keep poor families poor. I applaud Governor Pritzker’s action today and thank the people who have called for this long-overdue new law.”

SPRINGFIELD – In order to combat higher rate of maternal mortality, Black mothers would have more birth options under a measure sponsored by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) that was advanced out of the Senate Healthcare Access and Availability Tuesday afternoon.

“So many Black mothers have died unnecessarily due to racism within our health care system and a lack of options for care,” Van Pelt said. “We must ensure that more options are available to them for pre- and post-natal care, so that we can avoid the grave statistics of maternal mortality.”

Senate Bill 1826 requires the Task Force on Infant and Maternal Mortality Among African Americans to partner with community-based maternal care providers to develop a Medicaid voucher pilot program.

SPRINGFIELD – To allow local governments to undertake grant projects when the time is best for their community, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) introduced a measure to give park districts more time to complete projects funded through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program. 

“As communities recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, local governments are getting back on track with their long-term project goals,” Murphy said. “Our park districts are best positioned to decide when it makes sense for their community to start taking on new projects again.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which administers the OSLAD grant program, provides an advance payment of 50% of the grant value upon awarding the grant. State law requires grantees to complete projects within two years of receiving grant funds, meaning that park districts have just two years after this advance payment to complete projects.

The legislation Murphy has proposed would allow park districts to opt out of advance payments on OSLAD grants, delaying the start of the two-year grant timeline and giving them more authority over when to begin projects.

In addition to allowing park districts more freedom on future projects, Murphy’s initiative would also provide more flexibility on active grant projects by directing IDNR to consider requests by grant recipients to extend the deadline on the use of grant funds.

“Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic will take time. This legislation will ensure that park districts’ hard-earned grant funding will still be available when they’re ready to tackle new projects,” Murphy said.

Senate Bill 321 passed the Local Government Committee Tuesday and awaits consideration by the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – In a major step toward dismantling systemic inequality, fighting discrimination in the workplace and promoting growth in minority communities, legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that eliminates barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity was signed into law Tuesday.

“Since this nation’s inception, there’s been a massive disparity in access to economic opportunity in America. This imbalance affects all aspects of life, especially housing and access to capital,” Belt said. “If the federal government won’t take the lead, Illinois will. It’s time our state reaches its full potential, giving Middle America a beacon to strive toward.”

In order to eliminate long-standing economic obstacles to Illinoisans of color, the reform package includes a series of measures addressing the third pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ anti-racism agenda—economic access, equity and opportunity—which is made up of nine parts:

• Banking and investment
• Economic mobility
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Procurement and the Business Enterprise Program
• Industry-specific equity
• Environmental equity
• Housing, land use and gentrification
• Pay equity and workers’ rights
• Capital investments

To help address inequities in state procurement practices, the package of legislation would also create the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, which would be charged with developing a procurement scoring system to give minority contractors a boost when competing for procurement opportunities with state agencies and universities. The commission will also help provide support for diversity hiring and training initiatives at state agencies.

“Accepting nothing less than true equity is the only way we can ensure the success of minority workers and businesses,” Belt said. “A diverse business community makes our economic foundation deeper, broader and stronger. When we break down barriers to economic access and opportunity, Illinois benefits.”

SPRINGFIELD – Any municipality seeking to privatize its water company will be required to first receive approval from voters if Senate Bill 164 becomes law. State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport), sponsor of SB 164, joined the Citizens Utility Board and AFSCME to discuss the measure in a press conference Monday morning.

“There are communities right now in Illinois who have been fighting to get back control of their water systems from private companies, and they're not winning on behalf of their citizens,” Connor said. “Illinois private water companies are seeing record profits as a result of legislation that opened an express lane up for them to acquire public water systems from towns and villages.”

Senate President applauds expanded vaccines, path to re-opening

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) welcomed news of expanded vaccine access and plans to re-open the state’s economy.

“We’ve made it to this point thanks to modern science and the personal sacrifices of people all across this state. You’ve followed the rules and kept each other safe until a vaccine was widely available. Thank you.

“I urge everyone to remain patient and vigilant as we head into what is hopefully the final phase of this horrible pandemic.”

Read more.

Turner moves legislation to expand agricultural education for students

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) plan to add agricultural sciences as a course to count toward the requirement for admission into Illinois public universities passed the Senate Higher Education Committee last week.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Senator Turner. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.”

Read more.

Martwick's legislation providing mental health days in school passes committee

SPRINGFIELD — To support students as rates of depression and suicide among young people rise, State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) is leading a measure that would allow them five excused absence days for mental health purposes each school year.

“Our focus on mental health needs to change,” Martwick said. “Students need to be able to prioritize their mental health and stability, and letting a kid take a day off can help in the long run.”

Read more.

We want your input on redistricing

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus recently launched a series of statewide redistricting hearings, seeking public input as lawmakers begin the once-a-decade process of drawing new legislative boundaries to ensure communities receive equal representation. Senate Democrats are committed to a redistricting process guided by the principles of transparency, fairness and reflecting the diversity of Illinois.

This week, the Senate will host a number of those hearings. The dates are as follows:

• West Central Illinois: Monday, March 22 at 5 p.m.
  • This is a hybrid committee, so you can watch either online or in-person at 200 Peoria Civic Center, Room 200 in Peoria.
• Chicago South: Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. virtual
• Northwest Cook: Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. virtual

To watch any of the committees, visit ilga.gov then click “audio/video” under the Senate tab at its start time. Additionally, if you would like to testify or submit written testimony to the Illinois State Senate Redistricting Committee or any of its subcommittees contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There are also more hearings to come. Visit the “hearings” tab on our redistricting website at ilsenateredistricting.com to learn more.

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