PLAINFIELD – Illinois now has a new law in place to help address the teacher shortage by allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom without coming out of retirement, thanks to Illinois Senate Education Chair Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).

Bertino-Tarrant’s championed House Bill 1472, which addresses findings that 89 percent of Central Illinois districts and 92 percent of Southern Illinois districts have issues with staffing teaching positions with qualified candidates. The law was signed on Friday.

“Our retired teachers should not be penalized for returning to classrooms to help our school districts meet their needs,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “We want teachers in our classrooms with experience in the profession to help ensure our children are receiving a strong education.”

Aurora, Ill. – State Senator Linda Holmes joined Gov. JB Pritzker and local officials in Aurora Thursday to launch the 605 Innovation District and bring greater business and technology development to the city. Holmes released the following statement to recognize the investment in technology and jobs for Aurora:

“Gov. Pritzker is such a champion of innovation and I welcome him to Aurora to recognize the great opportunity that Bureau Gravity is bringing here. This has been Jimi Allen’s dream for years, we spoke of it often when we were office neighbors. I’m honored to be here to celebrate his awesome achievement.

“This will have a tremendous impact on our opportunities to attract innovative employers and grow our well-trained workforce in the region. Along with our state’s investments in our area infrastructure to help manage our community’s ongoing growth, I think we can anticipate a bright future.”

CASEYVILLE – As technology evolves and scammers find new ways to target the older population, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) reminded people of the many ways in which they should protect themselves during the seminar for seniors she hosted Wednesday.

“Scammers are getting more and more creative over the phone and internet, and are targeting elders’ wallets,” Crowe said. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t trying my best to provide seniors with the skills to fight back.”

The event was free and open to the public at the Caseyville Public Library on Wednesday. The Attorney General’s Office and State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) co-hosted the event with Crowe.

State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) held her 6th Annual Round Lake Area Job Fair at Magee Middle School in Round Lake.

The more than 100 jobseekers who attended had the opportunity to meet with 50+ employers from diverse industries, including Amazon, College of Lake County, United States Postal Service, Pharma Logistics, Illinois State Police, Marriott Hotels, Six Flags, and many more.

Individuals who are looking for a job but weren’t able to make this week’s job fair are invited to attend Senator Bush’s 7th Annual Zion Job Fair on Wednesday, August 21. Click here to register for the Zion Job Fair.

PEORIA – Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) joined House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth and Gov. JB Pritzker to tout Peoria area projects included in the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan passed by the General Assembly this spring.

“One of the biggest complaints I hear about from my constituents is the condition of our roads,” Koehler said. “This plan will change that.”

The $45 billion plan includes several projects specific to the Peoria area, including:

• $114 million for Phase I of a Route 24 expansion, expanding the highway to four lanes and replacing bridges between Kingston Mines and Banner
• $48.6 million for road resurfacing and major bridge work for I-474
• $41.9 million for road resurfacing and bridge work on I-74 between Peoria and Brimfield
• $39.9 million for the Cedar Street bridge extension
• $35 million for the Murray Baker bridge rehabilitation
• $18.7 million to replace the Harmon Highway bridge over Kickapoo Creek

VILLA PARK – Over the next five years, businesses will gradually cease to pay the archaic franchise tax under legislation championed by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

“As a state it is our duty to adopt policies that encourage economic growth and development,” Cullerton said. “The elimination of this convoluted tax will encourage business owners to expand and grow in our communities.”

Created in 1872, the corporate franchise tax is a tax on “paid in capital” for the privilege of doing business in Illinois. Last year, 346,000 companies paid about $172 million in taxes. After Illinois’ franchise tax is eliminated, only seven states in the nation will still impose a similar tax.

“Taxing businesses sends the wrong message,” Cullerton said. “Business owners should not be penalized for doing businesses in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a measure last month doubling the benefits for families of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, an initiative supported by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“With the cost of funerals rising, this legislation aims to lift one burden off grieving families’ shoulders,” Crowe said. “These public servants made the ultimate sacrifice and should be honored for doing so.”

House Bill 2028 increases the burial benefit for a firefighter or law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty from $10,000 to $20,000. The increased benefit applies to those individuals killed in the line of duty after June 30, 2018.

OAKBROOK TERRACE - For more than a generation, young people have been discouraged from seeking blue collar jobs in favor of pursuing college degrees. State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) passed a measure to help encourage more job seekers to pursue occupations that ensure safety and modernize Illinois’ infrastructure.

Glowiak championed the Blue Collar Jobs Act, which offers tax incentives to companies making significant capital improvements in Illinois based on the withholding tax paid to construction workers. The program went into effect on July 1, 2019.

"The Blue Collar Jobs Act will lift up middle class families while expanding Illinois' businesses," Glowiak said. "The key to growing our state's economy is creating new jobs, expanding economic opportunities and promoting a business climate that encourages companies to stay, expand and grow in our communities.”