SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) introduced a bill this week that redefines felony murder charges in Illinois.

The language of current state law allows prosecutors to charge someone with first-degree murder if a death occurs during the commission of another offense when acting alone, or if a third-party individual causes a death when acting within a group. The new legislation would ban prosecutors from being able to do so.

“Incarceration rates are disturbingly high as it is,” Peters said. “These laws do nothing to improve safety in our community and are not an effective way to combat the unforgivable crowding of our jails and prisons. They are quite simply not a reflection of any sort of justice we should strive for as a society.”

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) celebrated the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) announcement that career and technical education (CTE) enrollment has increased.

Citing the first funding increase to CTE programs in over five years, ISBE announced that CTE enrollment has increased by nearly 5,000 students since 2016. Gillespie says it is vital to train more Illinois workers for in-demand, specialized jobs.

“Career and technical education programs offer an affordable alternative to higher education that train students with tangible, hands-on work skills,” Gillespie said. “Increased investments in workforce development will prepare young people for success and ensure that employers have an educated workforce with the skills necessary for their respective industries.”

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) urged lawmakers across the county to continue pressuring the NCAA to allow student athletes to receive compensation for the use of their names, images, and likenesses. Though the NCAA announced it is planning to make changes, Harris is skeptical.

“The NCAA put out a letter to stall lawmakers, because they were losing the power of being in control of every aspect of student athletes,” Harris said. “I will not be applauding them for doing nothing and will continue to work on my legislation to show that I am not trusting them to do what’s right.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) was honored today with a retirement resolution in the Illinois State Senate.

The resolution highlights Hutchinson’s legislative accomplishments and reputation as a highly effective and well-regarded public servant throughout her career in the General Assembly.

“Serving the people of District 40 has been the honor of my lifetime,” Hutchinson said. “I’m proud of the progress we made over the past decade to advance justice and equity in this state and I look forward to carrying those principles into the next chapter of my career serving the people of Illinois.”

Educators charged with sex crimes, violent felonies or certain drug offenses

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today after the Illinois State Board of Education announced information documenting the success of her law to help protect CPS students from sexual predators and criminals:

“When the media publicized the number of sexual violence reports in Chicago Public Schools last year, we knew something had to be done. It’s humbling to know my law is already making a difference only two months after being signed. Misconduct from school employees will not be tolerated. No child should feel afraid or threatened while in their classroom.”

CHICAGO - Every student in Chicago deserves a high-quality neighborhood public school and every voter in the city deserves a direct say in school governance. In the upcoming spring session, the General Assembly will fully consider two bills to align school governance in Chicago with all other school districts in the state.

The first bill, House Bill 2267, sponsored by Sen. Robert Martwick and Sen. Omar Aquino, creates an elected representative school board in Chicago. The second, House Bill 2275, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham, restores contract bargaining processes, including class size and staffing provisions, that were eliminated from Chicago in 1995.

"Chicago's voters have spoken - they want an elected school board. And bringing an elected school board to Chicago has been a legislative goal of mine since 2015. I'm excited about taking the next step in making this bill into law," Martwick said.

SPRINGFIELD - Amid life-threatening increases in the cost of prescription insulin, Steve Stadelman, a State Senator and father to a diabetic son, voted with fellow lawmakers today to cap insulin copayments. The legislation will cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.

“I have seen the struggle that diabetics face every day,” said Stadelman, a Rockford democrat. “Diabetes is a lifelong affliction for those who have it. It shouldn’t also be the cause of financial stress for their families.”

There are currently over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. An individual with Type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition that often begins at birth, will spend an average of $5,705 per year on insulin alone.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) welcomed the 2019 Pana Solar Car Team to the Illinois State Capitol today to showcase their car and be recognized before the Illinois Senate.

After months of designing and building a roadworthy solar-powered car, the from Pana High School captured a national championship at the 2019 Solar Car Challenge this summer at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Led by senior Lucas Duduit, the rest of the four-member team consisted of sophomores Boone Elledge, Jessica Pollman and Katelyn Townsend.

“This team exemplifies just how remarkable and innovative our students can be when given the appropriate tech resources and instruction,” Manar said. “It’s my privilege to welcome them to the Senate.”

Manar presented each member of the team with a congratulatory certificate for their success as national champions on behalf of the Illinois Senate.