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Bush targets corruption with legislative package giving more power to ethics commission

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Category: Senator Melinda Bush News
Friday, February 07, 2020 09:17 AM
  • Bush
  • Ethics Reform
  • SB2488
  • SB1426
  • SB74

Sen. Melinda BushGRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) introduced a package of legislation giving more power to the state ethics commission to weed out corruption.

“I’ve been working with advocates for the last three years to clean up corruption and finally hold people accountable,” Bush said. “In light of the recent revelations involving former members of the General Assembly, we can’t allow this shameful behavior to continue. The only way to stop it is to give our watchdogs more power to investigate and take independent action.”

Read more: Bush targets corruption with legislative package giving more power to ethics commission

Senate Dems unveil public safety priorities

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Category: Member News
Thursday, February 06, 2020 03:06 PM
  • Villivalam
  • Fine
  • Peters
  • Criminal Justice Reform
  • Public Safety
  • Villanueva
  • Cash Bail

Senate Special Committe on Public Safety

CHICAGO – Several Democratic members of the newly formed Senate Special Committee on Public Safety met in Chicago today to unveil their public safety priorities for this year’s legislative session.

State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who will chair the committee, spoke of his past legislative accomplishments and how they motivate him to continue that fight.

“I’ve dedicated my adult life toward the fight to reimagine and to win real safety and justice, and last year I passed several laws with this goal in mind, including one to abolish private detention centers,” Peters said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to personally head up the Special Committee on Public Safety, and I am confident that the committee will lead to a society that is fair, equitable, just and, most importantly, safe.”

Read more: Senate Dems unveil public safety priorities

Commission works to close any possible loopholes in ethics code

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Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Thursday, February 06, 2020 10:37 AM
  • Sims
  • Lobbying
  • Ethics Reform

Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr.

SPRINGFIELD—Members of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform heard feedback from witnesses on rules for state officials and employees in an effort to determine best practices and close any possible loopholes.

“We must address the crisis of confidence in our government by holding state leaders and employees to the highest of standards,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), who co-chairs the commission. “That includes, reviewing the rules and seeking input to find solutions which will hold bad actors who betray the public’s trust accountable.”

Read more: Commission works to close any possible loopholes in ethics code

Koehler votes to override Pritzker veto, protect jobs at Peoria airport

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Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Thursday, February 06, 2020 10:19 AM
  • Koehler
  • Revenue
  • Illinois Aviation Trades Association
  • Tax Exemptions
  • Pritzker

Senator Koehler

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would ensure the preservation of manufacturing jobs in the Peoria area passed the Senate with bipartisan support yesterday.

“The point of this legislation is simple: to keep good-paying jobs in our area,” Koehler said. “Without this tax exemption there is no question that aviation companies would have to take a long look at doing business elsewhere.”

Peoria is home to Byerly Aviation, a company that offers maintenance, charters and aircraft sales.

This legislation would reinstate the Illinois state sales tax exemption for materials used in aircraft manufacturing, which expired Dec. 31, 2014.

Since its expiration, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

This legislation now awaits the governor’s signature.

Murphy to partner with Citizens Utility Board and Sierra Club to help residents go green, lower utility bills

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Category: Senator Laura Murphy News
Thursday, February 06, 2020 10:14 AM
  • Murphy
  • Citizens Utility Board
  • Sierra Club
  • CleanEnergy

Senator Murphy

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will join the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Sierra Club later this month to host a presentation and Q&A session to help consumers explore alternative energy options and lower their utility bills.

The event is free and open to the public, and will take place on Feb. 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Park Ridge Public Library, located at 20 S. Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge.

“Lots of people could be saving money on their utility bills, but just aren’t aware of their options,” said Murphy. “I’m hoping that this event will help families find some financial relief. Even a few dollars a month can make a huge difference.”

At the event, Tim Milburn of the Northwest Cook County Sierra Club will give a short presentation on the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a piece of legislation that aims to ramp up renewable energy development in Illinois while saving consumers money and creating jobs.

Read more: Murphy to partner with Citizens Utility Board and Sierra Club to help residents go green, lower...

Crowe secures override votes protecting aviation repair jobs in Illinois

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Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
Thursday, February 06, 2020 09:44 AM
  • Crowe
  • Revenue
  • HB3902
  • Illinois Aviation Trades Association
  • Tax Exemptions
  • Veto Override

crowe 020520

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the necessity of the thousands of highly-skilled, highly-paid jobs jet repair companies provide to people in the state, the Illinois Senate overrode the governor’s veto of House Bill 3902 in a bipartisan manner Wednesday.

State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) led the efforts to protect jobs in the Metro East.

“I refused to sit idly by and allow thousands of people to lose their jobs because of a mistake by a former administration,” Crowe said. “Labor workers in the aviation repair industry contribute vital economic growth in the Metro East region and across the state, and this measure is an affirmation of support to them and their families.”

Read more: Crowe secures override votes protecting aviation repair jobs in Illinois

Lindop school district to receive property tax relief grant

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Wednesday, February 05, 2020 04:17 PM
  • Lightford
  • ISBE
  • Grants
  • Property Tax Relief

lightford 020520

SPRINGFIELD – Property taxes will be lowered for some homeowners and business owners in South Suburban communities thanks to a new state grant program that seeks to lift some of the burden on school districts that are heavily taxed.

The Property Tax Relief Grant is part of the education funding reform package that has been put in place to level the playing field to better serve struggling school districts.

“This is a positive step forward in bringing long-term property tax relief to the community of Broadview,” Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) said. “Property taxes have been an extremely important issue, which is why I am pleased to see this grant awarded to Lindop School District.”

Read more: Lindop school district to receive property tax relief grant

Bennett steers families to resources regarding DCFS insurance switch

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Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
Wednesday, February 05, 2020 03:58 PM
  • Health Care
  • Bennett
  • DCFS
  • Human Services
  • Medicaid

bennett 020520

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) raised concerns following the transition of DCFS children with complex needs into the Medicaid managed care form Wednesday.

Days after nearly 19,000 adopted children and former foster children transitioned to Medicaid managed care, an estimated 2,500 were affected by a glitch that has left them without insurance since Saturday.

The Senate Human Services committee held a hearing Tuesday to address concerns with the oversight of Medicaid managed care agencies in hopes to find a solution.

“There is a lack of communication with the agencies and it’s being taken out on the families,” Senator Bennett said. “We need to ensure these individuals have access to the health care they need and are kept informed – we have to stay aggressive to get this resolved.”

Read more: Bennett steers families to resources regarding DCFS insurance switch

More Articles …

  1. Hunter moves to abolish red-light cameras
  2. Manar advances measure to cover cancer clinical trials for Medicaid beneficiaries
  3. Senators call for answers on DCFS insurance switch
  4. Bertino-Tarrant’s measure helps teach students to balance checkbooks
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