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Feigenholtz looks forward to funding increases for DCFS, education

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Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 07:46 AM
  • Education
  • DCFS
  • Budget
  • K-12
  • Feigenholtz

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) expressed her support Wednesday for the investments in the Department of Children and Family Services and public education included in Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed budget.

The proposal included a $147 million funding increase to solve longstanding problems at DCFS, the state’s child welfare agency.

“For years, we’ve heard horror stories about abuse and neglect of children under DCFS care,” Feigenholtz said. “It’s time to take serious action to ensure Illinois youth receive the best possible care, and this new funding is going to be a major boost as we work to revamp the agency.”

Read more: Feigenholtz looks forward to funding increases for DCFS, education

Morrison measure expands dental care for people with developmental disabilities

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Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 08:19 PM
  • Morrison
  • SB2493
  • SB2484
  • American Dental Association

morrison 021820

SPRINGFIELD – Dental hygiene is directly linked to a person’s overall health, but many Illinoisans aren’t receiving the proper care they need due to the high cost of treatment or because the lack of coverage for anesthesia. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) hopes to curb the price of dental care by requiring Medicaid to extend its coverage.

Two bills attempting to address dental care services that are either not covered or under-reimbursed by Medicaid were part of a subject matter hearing in the Senate Human Services Committee Tuesday.

Senate Bill 2484 expands coverage of dental care and anesthesia for those with autism or a developmental disability to make those individuals more comfortable when visiting the dentist.

Read more: Morrison measure expands dental care for people with developmental disabilities

Glowiak Hilton holds hearing on 5G technology

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Category: Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 08:05 PM
  • Glowiak Hilton
  • 5G Technology

Sen. Suzy Glowiak HiltonSPRINGFIELD – In response to concerns from area residents about 5G technology coming to the area, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) is committed to learning more about the infrastructure to better inform legislative action on the issue.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people about this issue,” Glowiak Hilton said. “There was talk that certain carriers were going to roll out 5G in my district and people became concerned. I’m glad to jumpstart this conversation to help residents feel comfortable in their homes.”

The Senate Public Health Committee held a subject matter hearing Tuesday to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of the wireless technology. Glowiak Hilton is working toward stronger local control for municipalities, and hopes local areas will be able to choose if they want this technology in their areas.

Read more: Glowiak Hilton holds hearing on 5G technology

Holmes introduces bill to cut pet restrictions in public housing

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Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 06:15 PM
  • Holmes
  • Local Governments
  • SB2973
  • Pets
  • Best Friends Animal Society

holmes pet presser 021820 1

SPRINGFIELD – Pets are part of two out of three households in America, including 72 percent 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 is introducing 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.

“A leading reason pets end up surrendered to shelters is housing issues that force some pet owners into a position of choosing between keeping their pet or keeping a roof over their head,” Holmes said. “Pets are part of our families, regardless of the family’s income level.”

Read more: Holmes introduces bill to cut pet restrictions in public housing

Murphy plan would use colleges’ social media to better connect to vets and active military

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Category: Senator Laura Murphy News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 04:59 PM
  • Higher Education
  • Murphy
  • Veterans
  • SB3069
  • Social Media

murphy 021820

SPRINGFIELD – Veterans and active service members would be able to use social media to connect with their colleges’ support networks under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“In 2020, most college students use social media to get important information, and that includes veterans and active military personnel,” said Murphy. “It’s one tool in our communications toolkit, and we need to start using it to our advantage.”

Currently, public colleges and universities must designate one employee to coordinate services for veteran and active military students. The employee’s contact information and a brief summary of their services must be available on the campus’ homepage and promotional mailings for student applications.

Read more: Murphy plan would use colleges’ social media to better connect to vets and active military

Bush disappointed by president’s actions, urges passage of ethics reform package

Details
Category: Senator Melinda Bush News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 02:25 PM
  • Bush
  • Ethics Reform
  • SB2488
  • SB1426
  • SB74
  • Blagojevich

Sen. Melinda Bush

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) released the following statement in response to President Trump commuting ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s sentence:

“I’m deeply disappointed by President Trump’s move to commute the sentence of Rod Blagojevich. Illinois’ troubling history of corruption is no secret, and Mr. Blagojevich’s attempt to sell a U.S. Senate seat is the epitome of corruption. The president’s own Republican advisors have warned him that Mr. Blagojevich is guilty of corruption, which the president vowed to fight once in office. His actions today are simply incomprehensible. Illinois has a long way to go to clean up its act, and we can start by passing my new package of ethics reform legislation.”

The package of legislation contains three bills: Senate Bills 2488, 1426, and 74. Each targets a different loophole in the ethics code and would give more investigative power to the Legislative Inspector General.

Villivalam to reinstate small business tax credit for creating new jobs

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 01:51 PM
  • Employment
  • Villivalam
  • Tax Credit
  • Small Business
  • SB3498

Sen. Ram Villivalam

SPRINGFIELD – Smaller businesses will once again be able to benefit from a tax credit for creating new full-time jobs under a plan announced by Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) today.

“Small businesses make a community vibrant and unique, and this encourages them to seek out more employees,” said Villivalam, a Chicago Democrat. “This tax credit was introduced during the recession, and it should not have been allowed to lapse under the previous governor.”

The proposed legislation would provide small businesses with a tax credit worth $5,000 per new employee making at least $15 an hour and working 35 hours per week. A total of $75 million in tax credits will be awarded, with the credit set to sunset after six years.

Read more: Villivalam to reinstate small business tax credit for creating new jobs

Morrison statement on the commutation of Rod Blagojevich’s sentence

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 01:47 PM
  • Morrison
  • Blagojevich

Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) released the following statement after former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was commuted by President Donald Trump Tuesday:

“The commutation of Rod Blagojevich’s sentence by President Trump is yet another reason ethics reform must be passed at both the state and federal level. We must pass ethics reform during this legislative session to ensure we never have another case like Blagojevich’s. We must also hold elected officials to the highest standards and work to end political corruption.”

More Articles …

  1. Castro: Blagojevich sentence commutation shameful
  2. Steans pushes raise for workers who care for people with disabilities
  3. Senior tax exemptions will now renew automatically
  4. In push for reform, joint committee hears from people affected by criminal justice system
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