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New Peters law establishes stipend program for apprenticeships

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Monday, August 26, 2019 04:40 AM
  • DCFS
  • Peters
  • Apprenticeship
  • SB1525

Sen. Robert Peters

SPRINGFIELD – Entering an apprenticeship program often requires expensive fees, tuition and tools, but eligible youth could have those associated costs covered thanks to a bill sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that became law today.

“It’s too often a person who otherwise wants to start an apprenticeship and take the first steps toward self-sustainability is unable to because they can’t afford the upfront cost of starting an apprenticeship,” Peters said. “This could result in them having no choice but to find a job in a field with lower wages or fewer benefits. Youth in care often lead difficult lives, and we should strive to make it easier for the kids aging out of the system by tearing down the systemic barriers that hold them back.”

Read more: New Peters law establishes stipend program for apprenticeships

Castro creates non-binary sex option on driver’s licenses

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Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Monday, August 26, 2019 04:38 AM
  • Castro
  • Gender Neutral
  • Driver's Licenses
  • HB3534
  • Non-Binary

Sen. Cristina Castro

SPRINGFIELD – Drivers will soon be able to choose a gender-neutral option to put on their driver’s license or ID cards under a new law by Elgin Democrat State Senator Cristina Castro.

Castro’s law will allow applications to choose between “male,” “female” or “non-binary” when defining their sex on their driver’s license or ID card.

“It has always been stressed that our driver’s license and state ID cards should be as accurate as possible,” Castro said. “Allowing a gender-neutral option only helps to make it more accurate. It has been long enough, and it’s time for not only the state, but also its agencies to adapt. I am happy to see the governor sign my bill.”

Read more: Castro creates non-binary sex option on driver’s licenses

Martinez law works to protect students from sexual abuse

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Category: Senator Iris Y. Martinez News
Monday, August 26, 2019 04:35 AM
  • Martinez
  • Sexual Assault
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • CPS
  • SB456

Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez

SPRINGFIELD — A new law sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) will overhaul the manner in which sexual assault investigations involving students are conducted.

Martinez passed the legislation out of the Senate this year as a bipartisan effort to address the issue of educator misconduct in classrooms across the state.

“The importance of protecting our children is an issue we can all agree on, no matter our political party,” Martinez said. “The report released last year was shocking, and I am thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to work on a solution. Students should be able to feel safe at school.”

Lawmakers began working on a solution after a Chicago Tribune article published late last year detailed a series of stories regarding children being harassed or abused during their time as students at Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Read more: Martinez law works to protect students from sexual abuse

Collins and Flowers’ plan to fight maternal and infant mortality signed into law

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Category: Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins News
Monday, August 26, 2019 04:13 AM
  • Mental Health
  • J.Collins
  • Human Services
  • HB1
  • HB2
  • HB3
  • HB5
  • HB2438
  • Maternal Mortality

mother and infant

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jacqueline Collins issued the following statement today as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the remaining pieces of legislation in a plan by her and State Rep. Mary Flowers to reduce rising infant and maternal mortality rates:

“It’s fitting that this action comes the day after Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and mere days before Women’s Equality Day, because this is another stark reminder of how systemic bias harms not only women, but the many lives that a woman’s life touches,” Collins said. “When women of color’s medical concerns are ignored, their families pay the price.”

Read more: Collins and Flowers’ plan to fight maternal and infant mortality signed into law

Hastings lauds mental health care reform for first responders

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Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Friday, August 23, 2019 05:24 AM
  • Mental Health
  • Hastings
  • First Responders
  • Suicide Prevention
  • HB2766

Squad car
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation supported by Senator Michael E. Hastings which aims to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues among first responders was signed into law on Friday.

“We need to make sure that those in the first responder community who are struggling have properly trained help readily available to them,” Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said. “This ensures that these men and women receive the best possible treatment and are unafraid to seek it.”

House Bill 2766 ensures individuals tasked with providing peer support counseling to law enforcement and firefighters are properly trained and that those who seek out mental health treatment will be protected under the law without fear of termination or discrimination.

Additionally, the new law will create a task force to study recommendations to help reduce the risk of suicide among first responders.

Read more: Hastings lauds mental health care reform for first responders

Teacher salary increase signed into law today with Crowe’s support

Details
Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
Friday, August 23, 2019 05:22 AM
  • Crowe
  • Education
  • HB2078
  • Teacher Salaries

Sen. Rachelle Crowe

SPRINGFIELD – Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.

“We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we’re not paying them a respectable wage?”

Under House Bill 2078, the state would update the minimum mandated salary for teachers annually over four years, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. After that, subject to review by the General Assembly, it would be increased according to the Consumer Price Index. The phase-in would look like this under the proposal:

Read more: Teacher salary increase signed into law today with Crowe’s support

Hastings applauds new law increasing teacher minimum wage

Details
Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Friday, August 23, 2019 05:19 AM
  • Education
  • Hastings
  • HB2078
  • Teacher Salaries

Sen. Michael E. Hastings

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to raise the minimum wage for teachers to $40,000 per year over the next five years was signed into law today.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings was a cosponsor on this initiative as it made its way through the Senate.

“Teachers deserve to earn a living wage regardless of where they live across our state. I personally know teachers that take money out of their own pockets to decorate classrooms and purchase supplies,” Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said. “I’m proud to be able to say that we’re acting on behalf of the selfless men and women who we are entrusting with our children’s wellbeing."

Read more: Hastings applauds new law increasing teacher minimum wage

Manar’s proposal to increase minimum teacher salary signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Andy Manar News
Thursday, August 22, 2019 08:50 AM
  • Manar
  • Education
  • HB2078
  • Teacher Salaries

Classroom

SPRINGFIELD – Teachers will see an increase to their minimum salary under a new law sponsored by State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“We’re facing a severe teacher shortage in Illinois and increasing their salaries is just one way we can attract and retain qualified teachers in this state,” Manar said. “We need to start taking this problem seriously and this legislation is a good step toward solving it.”

House Bill 2078 will increase the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 over a four year period.

Read more: Manar’s proposal to increase minimum teacher salary signed into law

More Articles …

  1. Aquino’s plan to protect voting rights becomes law
  2. Manar holds road naming ceremony for fallen Vietnam veteran
  3. Prisons will offer civics education under new Peters law
  4. Rehabilitation classes may reduce required prison time under Lightford plan
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