SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) is advancing an initiative to classify crimes against individuals based on their actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status as hate crimes.

“Hate crime laws are intended to protect individuals against biased crimes,” Martinez said. “Expanding the definition to include citizenship or immigration status is necessary to defend immigrants against senseless, discriminatory crimes.”

Under current law, crimes by reason against people of an actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals are considered hate crimes.

The measure seeks to add citizenship or immigration status to the list of qualifications.

Senate Bill 2345 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee and moves for further consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the launch of a statewide drug affordability campaign, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker) today unveiled a sweeping package of legislation aimed at putting checks on the pricing power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for Illinoisans.

According to an analysis by CBS News, in the first half of 2019 alone, prices increased for over 3,400 prescription drugs. The average price hike is 10.5%, or 5 times the rate of inflation.

CHAMPAIGN – Area lawmakers and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) will co-host a virtual town hall to share information about coronavirus Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. 

State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) will join CUPHD experts on Rep. Ammons’ Facebook page to hear questions and concerns related to coronavirus. 

Bennett, Ammons and CUPHD will discuss how Illinois is preparing to handle an outbreak, and various panels will provide educational information as well as answer constituent questions.

SPRINGFIELD – School administrators and employers would no longer be able to enact policies banning dreadlocks, braids and other hairstyles, or punish those who wear them, under legislation introduced by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“Hair styles are a core part of African-American history and culture,” Hunter said. “Far too often, black women, men, and children are forced to suppress their cultural identity in order to more closely align with someone else’s culture. This legislation would end that.”

CHAMPAIGN - High prescription drug prices and accountability of the pharmaceutical industry topped concerns of Champaign residents during a town hall meeting Monday. 

The meeting was hosted by State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), and was cohosted by Protect Our Care Illinois, Champaign County Health Care Consumers, NAACP Champaign County, AARP Illinois and AFSCME. 

Following an informational presentation from Protect Our Care representative Dan Rabbitt, Bennett and Manar opened the floor to Champaign County residents to raise their concerns, share their stories and ask questions about pending legislation in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging local governments to apply to receive a portion of $80 million in grants to spur economic development and provide much-needed infrastructure in their communities.

“These grants are a tremendous opportunity to stimulate the economy,” Bennett said. “Not only will they help revitalize distressed communities, they will support local economies and create jobs.”

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments through a competitive selection process to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction. Potential projects also include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.

SPRINGFIELD – Local governments have a shot at $80 million in grants to foster economic development and revitalize infrastructure in their communities, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced Tuesday.

“A healthy economy starts in our neighborhoods,” said Murphy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government. “These grants will empower local governments to take on projects that will create jobs, lift up communities and make a difference for Illinois families.”

Through a competitive selection process, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

DCEO has allocated $50 million for public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million for regional economic development projects and $13 million to prepare sites for construction.

Potential projects include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design. DCEO emphasizes the importance of projects with long-term economic benefits for the region.

Altogether, DCEO has made more than $150 million available in Rebuild Illinois funding this year. Other grants offer support for broadband and opportunity zone investments.

“During the last administration, local projects went unsupported for years, and our Main Streets suffered. It’s time for that to change,” said Murphy. “When we invest in our communities, Illinoisans see benefits close to home, but the whole state gets a boost.”

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.

For additional information on these funds, prospective applicants can visit DCEO’s website here. Interested parties can send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 217-785-6174.