VILLA PARK – To protect construction workers and discourage unsafe driving as construction season returns in Illinois, a new law by State Senator Tom Cullerton signed today increases the maximum penalty for hitting a construction worker to $25,000 from the current $10,000 fine.

“We are seeing an epidemic of distracted driving, and the people who work in our roadways are paying the price,” Cullerton said. “As construction season progresses, it is crucial that we take every necessary step to deter drivers from taking their eyes off the road.”

Cullerton championed Senate Bill 1496 in response to an accident in which Bartlett resident Frank Caputo was struck and killed while working on the Tri-State Tollway near O'Hare International Airport.

Caputo was working as a nighttime flagger in a construction zone near Rosemont in September 2018, when a car drove into the closed lanes and fatally injured him.

ROCKFORD – To prevent more tragic losses of emergency responders and highway workers, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz’s (D-Chicago) legislation that strengthens Scott’s Law and finds a way to end senseless roadway fatalities was signed into law today.

“There is no reason why officers and first responders can’t be safe while addressing an incident on the side of the road,” Muñoz said. “It needs to be second nature for drivers to slow down and move over whenever any vehicle is stalled on the side of the road.”

This year, Troopers Christopher Lambert, Brooke Jones-Story and Gerald Ellis were killed in the line of duty when hit by vehicles while their patrol vehicles were stalled on the side of the road. The law was initially passed in memory of Lieutenant Scott Gillen.

DES PLAINES – A bill sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) that would make partisan appointments to the Task Force on Human Services Contracting equal was signed into law earlier this month.

House Bill 2487 requires appointments to the task force to have the same number of Democrats and Republicans. Previously, the majority party was allowed to appoint one more member than the minority party.

“Human services should not be a partisan issue,” said Murphy. “We need to bring all sides together to ensure that the challenges faced by human service agencies are adequately addressed.”

The task force was implemented to study State contracting with private, nonprofit human service providers and the challenges they face. The new law extends the task force’s study by one year, and at that time the task force will make recommendations to the General Assembly on how to improve contracting relationships so that human services needs are addressed efficiently.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) that will increase access to apprenticeship programs in the construction industry for African Americans was signed into law.

Jones's legislation creates the Bureau on Apprenticeship Programs within the Illinois Department of Labor and creates an advisory board of 12 legislators (three from each caucus, appointed by the caucus leader). The goal of the commission is to increase minority participation in apprenticeship programs.

“This law will ensure African Americans have equal access to apprenticeship programs so that they can earn a more suitable living wage,” Jones said. "Most importantly, this is the first step in providing a better foundation for minorities to obtain an exceptional career in the construction industry."

Illinois' workforce stands at about 6 million, and there are about 16,000 active apprenticeships in the 13 basic crafts in the state's 102 counties.

Senate Bill 534 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

CHICAGO — State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) announced today that adult literacy programs in his district will receive $110,000 in state grants.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.

“The services these programs offer allow adults to develop and enhance the skills needed to be productive and successful,” said Aquino. “Education is the best predictor of future success, so I am glad to see the state making meaningful investments in adult education.”

The programs receiving funding in the 2nd District are:

• Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, Saint Joseph Services, Inc.: $35,000
• Community Literacy Program, Erie Neighborhood House: $75,000

A total of 14,352 learners will be served by adult literacy programs around the state. A total of 6,086 volunteer tutors will provide training for learners putting them on the path to lifelong learning. Adult literacy projects help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language.

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) joined Gov. JB Pritzker and advocates today as her legislation providing relief from high interest on consumer debt was signed into law.

The bill, which passed both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support, takes two steps to lower the financial burden on Illinoisans struggling with these debts.

First, it lowers the interest rate on consumer debt under $25,000 from 9% to 5%. It also lowers the timeframe in which debt collectors can collect on a judgment from 26 to 17 years, preventing families from being trapped by decades-old debts.

“Debt can be a real, crushing thing that keeps people trapped in a cycle of poverty,” Martinez said. “By making it easier for people to make payments, we are not only making it more likely for the debt to be paid but also helping people move toward financial independence.”

According to the Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit anti-poverty organization, 1 in 3 Illinois residents is in the debt collection process.

House Bill 88 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

ELGIN — State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) announced today that adult literacy programs in her district will receive nearly $290,000 in state grants.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.

“English as a Second Language and adult literacy classes are vital services that help people develop the language skills they need to be successful,” said Castro. “This investment from the Secretary of State will ensure that Literacy Connection and the YWCA can continue to provide these life-changing services to those who rely on them.”

The programs receiving funding in the 22nd District are:

• Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, Literacy Connection: $91,346
• ESL Family Literacy (Children 2-5 Years), YWCA of Elgin: $50,000
• ESL Family Literacy (Infants and Toddlers), YWCA of Elgin: $50,000
• Lakewood Elementary Family Literacy Program, Literacy Connection: $48,866
• Meadowdale Elementary Family Literacy Program, Literacy Connection: $48,866

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) announced today that adult literacy programs in his district will receive nearly $140,000 in state grants.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.

“These programs offer invaluable services to those seeking to improve their reading skills and to those learning English for the first time,” said Peters. “Programs like these don’t shame folks for their language abilities, but instead lift them up and provide them with the opportunity to learn and develop those skills. I am grateful that the Secretary of State made these meaningful, people-centered investments.”

The programs receiving funding in the 13th District are:

• Learning for Life, Family Legacy Foundation: $125,000
• Delta Literacy Project, D’Estee, Inc.: $14,259