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Bennett encourages University of Illinois System advocates at Springfield rally

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Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
Thursday, February 27, 2020 08:36 AM
  • Bennett
  • Higher Education
  • University of Illinois
  • Appropriations

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SPRINGFIELD – Alumni and students from the University of Illinois System rallied behind State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) in support of higher education in Springfield Wednesday.

More than 200 alumni and students from the University of Illinois System traveled to the Capitol to participate in their annual advocacy day, which included a rally with University of Illinois caucus members.

This event gives students and alumni the opportunity to show their support for higher education legislation and issues, as well as learn about the legislative process. 

Read more: Bennett encourages University of Illinois System advocates at Springfield rally

Senate approves Fine’s plan to protect the rights of families visiting jailed loved ones

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Category: Senator Laura Fine News
Thursday, February 27, 2020 07:16 AM
  • Fine
  • Department of Corrections
  • Criminal Justice Reform
  • Restore Justice
  • SB2311

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – Family members of people serving time would be ensured fair treatment by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“I’ve had the opportunity to hear from so many parents, siblings, children and friends of incarcerated individuals on this issue. When they expect a visit and get turned away, it can be heartbreaking,” said Fine. “We should be encouraging people to maintain connections with family and friends, which will improve their lives during and after incarceration.”

The measure requires IDOC to appoint a point-of-contact person to receive suggestions, complaints and other comments from visitors to prison facilities, and from other members of the public.

Read more: Senate approves Fine’s plan to protect the rights of families visiting jailed loved ones

Muñoz plan protects consumers from higher vehicle costs

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Category: Senator Antonio Muñoz News
Thursday, February 27, 2020 03:55 AM
  • Muñoz
  • Taxes
  • Revenue
  • Tax Exemptions
  • SB2481

Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz

SPRINGFIELD - Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) moved to ensure that the recent changes to Illinois tax structure under its construction funding program that are hitting customers with multiple taxes are repealed with new legislation on Wednesday.

The current tax structure enacted to fund Illinois’ first construction program in a decade removed a previous tax exemption and put in place a tax on any vehicle trade-in above $10,000, meaning consumers to pay a tax when purchasing a vehicle and again when trading in the same vehicle.

“This effort ensures that the cost of purchasing a vehicle in Illinois doesn’t skyrocket and protects consumers from the possibility of paying taxes on their vehicle twice,” Muñoz said.

Read more: Muñoz plan protects consumers from higher vehicle costs

Sims congratulates students on winning National Teach Kindness Challenge

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Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 05:52 PM
  • Sims
  • Teach Kindness Challenge

sims 022620SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) today congratulated students at a Sauk Village elementary school on winning a national kindness award.

Wagoner Elementary School in Community Consolidated School District 168 in Sauk Village, Illinois was one of over 650 schools from across the country that registered for the Fall 2019 cohort of the Teach Kindness Challenge.

“Now the nation knows what I already knew about Wagoner Elementary students and teachers. They are a stellar bunch who consistently go above and beyond to achieve results,” Sims said. “I am so incredibly proud of their efforts to spread kindness, which the world could always use more of.”

The “Teach Kindness” initiative is a national social-emotional learning program organized by Stand for Children that provides high-quality classroom lessons from national experts.

Wagoner has been selected as the 2019 National Winner of the Teach Kindness Challenge, a national recognition that carries a $5,000 credit at DonorsChoose.org.

Van Pelt to clarify business expense reimbursement rules under proposed law

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Category: Senator Patricia Van Pelt News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 04:45 PM
  • Employees
  • Van Pelt
  • Labor
  • Small Business
  • SB3307
  • Employers

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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) recently filed legislation that would require an employer to reimburse an employee within 30-45 days after the receipt of a required business expense, a common workplace scenario that currently isn’t governed by any sort of statute.

“A lot of employees despair of ever seeing their business expenses reimbursed,” Van Pelt said. “This should be a common labor protection, just as a 40-hour workweek is. Employees who float costs for their employers should receive reimbursements in a timelier manner.”

Read more: Van Pelt to clarify business expense reimbursement rules under proposed law

Villivalam pushes for better personal health education in public schools

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Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 04:41 PM
  • Education
  • Villivalam
  • SB2762
  • REACH Act
  • K-12
  • Sex Education

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SPRINGFEILD - State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and advocates introduced the REACH Act at a press conference this morning. 

This legislation requires all K-12 public schools to offer a comprehensive and age-appropriate course on personal heath and public safety. The program would be phased in slowly, thus granting schools a smooth orderly transition to the new curriculum.

Read more: Villivalam pushes for better personal health education in public schools

Manar files legislation to thwart census fraud by political organizations

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Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 03:06 PM
  • Manar
  • Criminal Law
  • 2020 Census
  • SB3738

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) has introduced legislation that would make it a Class 4 felony for a person to knowingly and falsely represent himself or herself to be a census worker in person or by any means of communication.

The move is intended to avert any efforts to use the 2020 Census for political gain in Illinois, after media outlets across the country reported that the Republican National Committee has repeatedly sent out fundraising mailers disguised to look like official census documents.

“Some things should simply be kept out of politics – the census count is one of them,” Manar said. “It is far too consequential to be diminished in any way by political gimmicks. We should be doing everything possible to ensure a full and accurate count, not sowing confusion and distrust by using the census to solicit political donations.”

Read more: Manar files legislation to thwart census fraud by political organizations

Villanueva: Our criminal justice system does not exist to serve ICE

Details
Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 02:11 PM
  • Immigration
  • Department of Corrections
  • Villanueva
  • Trust Act

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) released the following statement on Illinois’ policy to no longer refer undocumented immigrants who have served their sentences within the Illinois prison system to federal immigration custody:

“I am the daughter of immigrants and hearing my colleagues and members of law enforcement repeat the President’s racist rhetoric breaks my heart.

“Our criminal justice system does not exist to serve ICE. Law enforcement should not aid and abet the deportation machine. Communities of color, specifically immigrant communities, need to know that they can trust law enforcement regardless of citizenship status.

Read more: Villanueva: Our criminal justice system does not exist to serve ICE

More Articles …

  1. Bennett advances bill to allow exemptions from school shooter drills
  2. The Majority Report 02/26/20 - Illinois Senate Democrats react to governor's Budget Address
  3. Peters: Ending cash bail necessary to achieve safety and justice in our communities
  4. Illinois Senate welcomes students from Illinois Math and Science Academy
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