KANKAKEE – The Kankakee Public Library is the recipient of a $17,000 mentoring grant from the Illinois secretary of state, State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) announced today.

The grant was awarded through the FY20 Project Next Generation program, which is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Mentors work with middle and high school students to help them develop skills needed to use technology and find success through project-based learning. Mentors also help with developing life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

Kankakee is one of 29 public libraries in the state to receive the grant.

“This grant will provide additional support and mentoring opportunities for the children of Kankakee,” Hutchinson said. “The skills they learn from this important mentoring program will be beneficial today and will help them in all of their future endeavors. Thank you to Secretary of State Jesse White for his longstanding support for public libraries and underserved youth in Illinois.”

CICERO — Senate Transportation Chairman, Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) championed a new law to protect police and first responders on Illinois’ roadways. Sandoval’s measure, Senate Bill 1862, institutes stronger regulations to prevent senseless tragedies.

“Our officers put their lives on the line every day to keep communities across Illinois safe,” Sandoval said. “We can’t bring back the brave heroes we have lost this year, but we can work to ensure this does not happen to another fellow officer. This new law will help protect the people who work tirelessly to make our state a better place.”

Senate Bill 1862 takes the following steps to strengthen Scott’s Law:

• Increases the minimum fine for a Scott’s Law violation without damage or injury from $100 to $500
• Makes a Scott’s Law violation that results in damage to a vehicle a Class A Misdemeanor
• A violation that results in injury or death would be a Class 4 Felony
• Increases the penalty for a reckless homicide conviction based on a violation of Scott’s Law that results in the death of a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel to a Class 2 felony from a Class 3 felony

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – For their efforts to finalize the state’s first capital construction plan in a decade, State Sen. Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and State Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) were given the Friend of Infrastructure Award by the Transportation for Illinois Coalition today.

TFIC, an umbrella organization of business, labor and transportation groups that have advocated for transportation investment for nearly 20 years, has worked closely with lawmakers in Springfield on the state’s Rebuild Illinois program. Funding shortfalls over the past decade caused many problems with Illinois’ transportation system, including poorly maintained roads and bridges and outdated public facilities.

“Our transportation system has been neglected for too long,” said Sen. Gillespie. “The capital plan will invest in roads and bridges along with over $1 billion in rail projects that will support commuters. This investment in rail transit will allow commuters to save costs on their personal vehicles, have positive impacts on our environment and give businesses more opportunities to thrive.”

PLAINFIELD – Illinois workers will soon have protections in place to help ensure they receive equal pay for equal work.

Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is a chief cosponsor on House Bill 834, which addresses the salary gap in Illinois by prohibiting employers from requiring job applicants to disclose their past salary during the interview process. The measure was signed into law on Wednesday.

The legislation amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003 to include language banning salary history questions during the hiring process.

“In 2019, a worker should not receive a different wage based on any factor not directly related to their qualifications, experience and job performance,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “This new law renews the state’s commitment to policies that promote and ensure pay equity for all of our workers.”

Bertino-Tarrant worked with the sponsor to make the measure more business-friendly. The law will go into effect 60 days after it was signed into law.

CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Castro’s bill strengthening the Illinois Equal Pay Act and tackling the wage gap was signed into law today.

House Bill 834 prohibits employers from asking about salary histories when interviewing job applicants in an effort to reduce the effects of pay discrimination from past jobs.

“This new law addresses a wide range of people” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Men and women of all ages and backgrounds should have an equal chance to succeed, and that is what I will continue to fight for as a member of this General Assembly.”

Employers can currently consider salary history when making hiring decisions and salary offers. This perpetuates wage inequality, especially since women, on average, earn less than men for similar work. It has also been found that women of color earn even less than white women when compared to men.

CHICAGO—A new law sponsored by Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) will break down a barrier many in Illinois with criminal records face when trying to get a job.

The new law will prevent wait times for background checks by allowing individuals otherwise qualified for a direct care position to start a background check before receiving a job offer.

Currently, applicants have to wait for the offer first, holding up the employment process.

“This new law will help many throughout the state get their lives back on track,” Sims said. “It will put people back to work and help keep them out of our prison system. By getting these background checks done upfront, we provide a greater level of transparency between applicants and employers, avoid wait times and help Illinoisans with criminal records have a better shot at getting a job.”

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) announced today that adult literacy programs in her district will receive $235,000 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 provide adults with the skills needed to enter the workforce,” said Gillespie. “Continued investment in these programs will deliver positive long-term results and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be successful.”

The programs receiving funding in the 27th District are:

• Read to Learn Adult Literacy, Township High School Dist. 214: $100,000
• Family Literacy at the Women's & Children's Center with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Township High School Dist. 214: $50,000
• Illinois Adult Learning Hotline, The Center: $85,000

COLLINSVILLE – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) welcomed Gov. JB Pritzker and other area legislators to the 56th District to celebrate a list of accomplishments this past session.

“The state was able to make some much needed updates to current laws that are felt throughout the Metro East,” Crowe said. “Today was about showcasing those ideas and meeting with the people our legislation will affect.”

Crowe was joined by Gov. JB Pritzker, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia), state Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) and state Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and state Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) at the Fairmount Park Race Track in Collinsville to applaud Illinois’ expansion of sports betting allowing racetracks to benefit from revenue by gaming machines.

Next, officials traveled to Southern Illinois University’s campus in Edwardsville for the governor to sign House Bill 2239 into law, allowing both student trustees to be voting members of the Southern Illinois University Board. This measure aims to give both the Edwardsville campus as well as the Carbondale campus a voice in decision-making.

“Student voices matter. That, at its core, is why we’re amplifying the student voice on the Board of Trustees, offering each major campus equal say in board affairs no matter the date or time of year,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.