Castro protects more Illinois workers with Human Rights Act expansion

ELGIN — More workers in Illinois will have protections under the state’s Human Rights Act as a law sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro took effect July 1.

“Workplace discrimination exists. It may not be done with bad intent, and at times it might not even be done intentionally, but it still happens, and real Illinois families are affected by it,” Castro said. “Everyone deserves the right to work at their job without having to worry about being discriminated against just because of who they are.”

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Lightford celebrates July 1 minimum wage increase

CHICAGO — Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) celebrated the July 1 increase to the state’s minimum wage, believing it will help working families navigate the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So many families are struggling right now,” Lightford said. “Though minimum wage workers may count themselves lucky to have jobs while a great deal are unemployed, they still deserve to make a living wage. This increase takes them closer to that goal.”

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Middle schools to teach civics under new law by Collins

CHICAGO — Middle school students will be required to study civics as part of their course work under a new law passed by State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) that took effect last week.

“Current events teach us the importance and impact of civic engagement at every age,” Collins said. “In the malicious action and shameful inaction of our current president, we are given daily reminders that to be a society ruled by laws, not men, we must be vigilant and active. That starts with education about our system of government and our own responsibility to it.”

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GRAYSLAKE — In an effort to help people focus on their finances after months of economic disparities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Melinda Bush (Grayslake) is highlighting a number of free credit reporting websites. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic put unforeseen financial burdens on many families,” Bush said. “Credit reporting websites can be expensive, but it’s important to know your credit score. However, there are many free resources available, and I encourage people to take advantage of them.”

As Illinoisans across the state have experienced negative economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bush is encouraging everyone to check their credit scores and be aware of their finances. Everyone is now eligible to receive their weekly credit report for free through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion until April 2021. For more information, please visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

“Regularly checking your credit can allow you to take control over your finances and lead you to financial freedom,” Bush said. “As we continue to live through these hard and unprecedented times, the best thing we can do is make sure we come out of it stronger.” 

PLAINFIELD — To help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the process of applying for state and federal emergency assistance programs, a new Small Business Development Center opened at the Joliet Junior College, Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield) announced Thursday.

“Businesses across the state have experienced unprecedented financial challenges during the pandemic,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Many hardworking business owners are still learning how to bounce back, and the centers will provide them with the help and support they need.”

Following months of business losses during the public health crisis, seven new Small Business Development Centers were created across the state to support small businesses during the reopening process.

The Joliet-based center, along with all new and existing centers across the state, will be available to help support businesses with applications for the newest relief programs introduced by the state — known as the Business Interruption Grants Program and the Rebuild Distressed Communities programs.

For more information on the Joliet center and others throughout the state, people can click here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) celebrated the new law enabling a Chicago casino, because millions in taxes collected from the casino will be used to bolster the city’s police and fire pension funds.

“The city’s retired firefighters and police have earned their retirements and paid their fair share,” Martwick said. “The casino will help ensure the city can keep its promises to these public servants.”

Senate Bill 516 makes various changes to the state’s gaming laws and will enable Chicago to open its long-sought casino. When fully operational, the casino is expected to provide more than $200 million dollars a year to Chicago’s police and fire pension funds. The taxes collected by the city on all slot machines and table games in the new casino will go exclusively to Chicago’s police and fire pensions.

Martwick traveled to Springfield during the brief legislative session, in spite of major health concerns, in part to help ensure that the casino legislation passed.

“This casino is vital to our regional economy,” Martwick said. “Chicago is already a tourist hub, but a casino will create even more reason for people from neighboring states and from across the world to visit. It will also create hundreds of jobs, another boost for the city and its people.”

The measure passed both the Senate and House with comfortable, bipartisan majorities and takes effect immediately.

PARK FOREST – The Braceville Fire Protection District will receive more than $20,000 in state grants for new equipment, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Park Forest) announced Wednesday.  

“Because of the pandemic, many local fire departments were unable to hold fundraisers to make money for equipment,” Joyce said. “These grants will help departments purchase lifesaving equipment, so they can quickly respond to emergencies in our community.” 

Braceville Fire Protection District has been awarded $21,690.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded the grant to give Illinois first responders the opportunity to replace or upgrade aging equipment they may otherwise not be able to purchase.  

The program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in the state, particularly those that struggle to generate the necessary revenue for small equipment, such as air-packs and portable radios.

In total, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded $3.5 million in grants to 154 fire departments, fire districts and EMS providers. A complete list of grant recipients can be found here.

CHICAGO—The minimum wage in Illinois increased to $10 on Wednesday because of a 2019 law co-sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago). 

“We are seeing many years' worth of efforts to help working families finally come to fruition,” Sims said. “I take pride in our work here in Illinois to provide a wage that matches the rising cost of a family’s basic needs.” 

The state’s minimum wage increases to $10 per hour July 1, the second in a series of increases required by the law passed last year. That legislation requires the wage to increase by $1 on Jan. 1 of each year going forward until it reaches $15 per hour in 2025. 

Sims also disagreed with business leaders who have sought to delay or repeal the law because of the pandemic and its associated economic downturn. 

“Those earning minimum wage haven’t seen an increase since 2010,” Sims said. “I understand that this is a difficult time for businesses, but we cannot continue to make working families wait for a pay raise. This is already long overdue.” 

The law raises the minimum wage statewide, though some communities, including Cook County and Chicago, have set higher local minimum wages – measures which Sims supports. 

CHICAGO – Middle school students will be required to study civics as part of their course work under a new law passed by State Senator Jacqueline Collins that takes effect today.

“Current events teach us the importance and impact of civic engagement at every age,” Collins said. “In the malicious action and shameful inaction of our current president, we are given daily reminders that to be a society ruled by laws, not men, we must be vigilant and active. That starts with education about our system of government and our own responsibility to it.”

GRAYSLAKE — Private sector workers who experience sexual harassment and discrimination will have greater protections under the law thanks to a major piece of legislation from State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) that took effect Wednesday.

“This law gives victims of workplace harassment and discrimination more protections and ensures they are able to seek justice,” Bush said. “We’re not only changing the law—we’re changing the culture. We’re standing with victims and saying enough is enough.”

Employers will now be required to provide sexual harassment prevention training once a year, and discrimination against an employee because they are perceived to be a part of the protected class would be illegal, even if the employee is not part of that class.

The law — found in Senate Bill 75 — also includes major reforms to the state’s ethics investigation process, including making the process more transparent and giving additional rights to victims of harassment and discrimination who file ethics complaints.

Bush introduced the law after traveling the state as the co-chair of the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness Prevention, hearing from both victims and advocates. Her conversations led her to fight for more protections against harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

“Preventing sexual harassment and discrimination and ensuring our workplaces are safe is not only good for workers—it’s good for business,” Bush said. “With these measures in place, workers will have more protections under the law, and employers will be more proactive about educating employees and preventing these situations.”

The measure was signed by the governor last year and took effect July 1.