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Bennett advances bill to allow exemptions from school shooter drills

Details
Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 01:59 PM
  • Bennett
  • Education
  • SB3222

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced a measure through the Senate Education Committee Tuesday to allow a student’s parent to exempt them from school active shooter drills.

The legislation is in response to recent news regarding the effects active shooter drills in schools have on young children. It seeks to reduce the associated psychological effects by granting parents the authority to exempt students from the drill.

“While I support training for school staff and students, it’s critical that we take additional precautions for these drills, as fear of school shootings has intensified,” Bennett said. “These drills can sometimes be confusing for young students and psychologically distressing – if the circumstances permit, a parent should have the ability to opt their child out of a school shooter drill.”

Read more: Bennett advances bill to allow exemptions from school shooter drills

The Majority Report 02/26/20 - Illinois Senate Democrats react to governor's Budget Address

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Category: Majority Report
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 12:35 PM
  • Holmes
  • Audio
  • Majority Report
  • Budget
  • Pets
  • Go Red for Women

Budget react

Illinois Senate Democrats see hopeful signs in Pritzker's second budget address

SPRINGFIELD — Democratic members of the Illinois State Senate were encouraged by Governor JB Pritzker’s second budget proposal. His address last week highlighted that they and the governor share many of the same priorities to move Illinois forward and achieve permanent budget stability and government functionality.

The governor’s budget included large proposed increases to early childhood education funding, need-based financial aid programs for college students, innovative job training programs, and for a number of important social services programs that help grant people with disabilities and seniors lives filled with comfort and dignity. Democratic senators commented on many of the items they felt were most important in the proposal.

Read more.

 

Asst. Majority Leader Linda Holmes

Holmes bill to cut pet restrictions in public housing

SPRINGFIELD — Pets are part of two out of three households in America, including 72% of renters. Restrictions in public housing can prevent a family from keeping a pet based on its size, weight or breed. That results in pets being surrendered to already-burdened animal shelters.

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes introduced Senate Bill 2973, which would allow any tenant living in housing acquired, constructed or rehabilitated with state funds for low-income housing to keep a pet dog or cat regardless of its size, weight or breed.

Read more.

 

Go Red for Women

A February Tradition: Go Red for Women Day

SPRINGFIELD — Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women.

Every February, the General Assembly holds a Go Red for Women Day at the Capitol to increase awareness of women’s heart health issues and help improve the lives of women throughout Illinois.

Read more.

 

members in the news

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senators Cristina Castro, Elgin and Julie Morrison, Lake Forest: Illinois Democrats, Republicans Blast Trump's Commute of Blagojevich | WBEZ

Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Chicago: Heated discussion on DCFS mechanical restraints bill during committee hearing | WGEM

Senator Pat McGuire, Crest Hill: Where the sidewalk ends might be far from your Metra station, study finds | Daily Herald

 

Copyright 2020 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Peters: Ending cash bail necessary to achieve safety and justice in our communities

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Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 12:09 PM
  • Peters
  • Public Safety
  • Cash Bail

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SPRINGFIELD – The End Money Bond Coalition hosted a rally in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday in support of a measure to end cash bail in Illinois. State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who will sponsor the legislation in the Senate, spoke at the rally.

“We know what safety and justice looks like in our communities,” Peters said. “We know it’s a roof over your head. We know it’s a social worker at your school. We know it’s being able to drink your water. And we know that it’s not locking you up because you’re poor.”

Peters is the Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Public Safety and has made ending cash bail in Illinois his top priority for the 2020 legislative session.

Illinois Senate welcomes students from Illinois Math and Science Academy

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Category: Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. News
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 11:48 AM
  • Koehler
  • Lightford
  • Holmes
  • Sims
  • IMSA

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SPRINGFIELD – Students from the Illinois Math and Science Academy traveled to Springfield Tuesday as a part of the academy’s first annual State Capitol Day trip.

 

Students shadowed their respective Senators throughout the day.

“I shared a wonderful day with my constituent Esha Dani who attends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. The Senate was honored to host such a brilliant group of students and we can’t wait to see what their futures hold,” Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) said.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for these students to see firsthand how their government functions,” State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said. “It also gives my colleagues and me the chance to connect with some of the best and brightest students our state has to offer. The future is undeniably promising for each and every one of them, and I look forward to following their progress.”

Read more: Illinois Senate welcomes students from Illinois Math and Science Academy

When John Doe's life hangs in the balance: Van Pelt pushes for rights of unidentified patients

Details
Category: Senator Patricia Van Pelt News
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 06:03 PM
  • Public Health
  • DNA
  • Van Pelt
  • SB2309
  • Hospitals

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SPRINGFIELD – Last April, a man named Elisha Brittman was found naked and unresponsive under a car in Chicago, beaten so badly his face was unrecognizable. The police failed to identify him through fingerprints or DNA. Instead, they used a mugshot to identify him as Alfonso Bennett. In turn, the hospital notified Bennett’s family, who decided to take Brittman off life support. Now, both of the families involved are filing a lawsuit.

After learning of what happened to her constituent, Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an effort to make sure no other family is ever faced with such an unthinkable situation.

Read more: When John Doe's life hangs in the balance: Van Pelt pushes for rights of unidentified patients

Survey: 28% of Illinois residents have rationed or gone without medication due to high costs

Details
Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 04:58 PM
  • Manar
  • Prescription Costs
  • HB3493

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Manar announced new legislation to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set prescription price limits

SPRINGFIELD – Over half of Illinois residents are burdened by the high cost of health care and prescription drugs, according to a new Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS), commissioned in January 2020 by Protect Our Care Illinois and Altarum’s Healthcare Value Hub, with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The survey found that 54% of respondents are either “worried” or “very worried” about affording the cost of prescription drugs, and 28% of Illinois adults have rationed or gone without medication due to the skyrocketing cost of prescription medication.

Read more: Survey: 28% of Illinois residents have rationed or gone without medication due to high costs

Crowe holds opioid committee meeting on ISP, DOI testimonies

Details
Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 04:53 PM
  • Crowe
  • Opioid Crisis

crowe 022520SPRINGFIELD – Hearing reports from agencies to update lawmakers on the implementation of the 2018 State Opioid Action Plan (SOAP), members of the Senate’s Special Committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement met Tuesday under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe.

“Exploring opioid-related issues from every angle, from expanding mental health services to reporting and treating overdoses, is the only way we will see effective change in our communities,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “By holding these hearings, we’re getting legislators and stakeholders in the same room for the opportunity to create solutions and increase access to opioid prevention, treatment and recovery programs.”

Read more: Crowe holds opioid committee meeting on ISP, DOI testimonies

Manar welcomes Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois ‘Youth of the Year’ to Illinois Capitol

Details
Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 03:54 PM
  • Manar
  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Future Leaders

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed Springfield High School senior Micah Jackson to the Capitol on Tuesday as part of Manar’s Future Leaders program and to recognize him for being named Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Youth of the Year for 2019-2020.

Accompanying Jackson was Tiffany Mathis, who was appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois in January.

“The Boys & Girls Club is such a positive force in this community. Cultivating young leaders and preparing them to succeed is some of the most important work we can do,” Manar said. “The impact of Tiffany Mathis and professionals like her is evident to anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting students like Micah Jackson.”

Jackson, 17, shadowed Manar for the day, joining him in committee meetings and on the Senate floor where he met other state lawmakers and observed them as they debated and voted on legislation.

Read more: Manar welcomes Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois ‘Youth of the Year’ to Illinois Capitol

More Articles …

  1. Glowiak Hilton: Suicide prevention should be as easy as a 911 call
  2. Ellman: Let people legally drink on trains
  3. Belt honors awardees of Defense Superior Service Medal with special plate
  4. Joyce offers a bill that would restore state funds to local governments
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