Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) that seeks to increase Illinois’ Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rate became law after being signed by Gov. JB Pritzker today.

“We need to make sure every student is aware of what the FAFSA is and the benefits they can derive from it,” Manar said. “Tuition rates are skyrocketing and students should be empowered to use every tool they have to deal with increasing costs.”

House Bill 2719 would require all students graduating high school to complete the FAFSA.

If a student does not wish to fill out the FAFSA, he or she has the option to fill out a waiver acknowledging that they know what the FAFSA is and they have chosen not to file it. Students are also exempt if they are unable to meet the requirement due to extenuating circumstances as determined by a principal.

“Not every student wishes to complete the FAFSA and that’s why we wanted to make sure we included a provision allowing students to opt out of the requirement,” Manar said. “This measure would allow us to maximize the number of students who apply for and receive federal student aid without creating an undue burden that stops some students from graduating.”

SPRINGFIELD – Living organ donors in Illinois would have increased protections under the law under a proposal passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) that was signed into law today by Gov. Pritzker.

“Across Illinois, thousands of residents are awaiting a kidney transplant. Sadly, less than a quarter of patients who were on the organ donation waiting list last year actually received an organ transplant,” Morrison said. “We must do more to incentivize individuals willing to give so much of themselves for the health of another.”

Morrison’s new law – contained in House Bill 2847 – would prohibit insurance companies from refusing to insure or limiting the kind of coverage available needed for care solely because an individual was a living organ donor.

The law also includes protections in the workplace, making it unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for requesting a leave of absence to donate an organ. Lastly, the bill creates an organ and tissue donor registry under the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

SPRINGFIELD—A proposal to make Illinois more attractive to film companies was signed into law today.

The plan, sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), extends the length of the state’s film production tax credit with the aim of raising Illinois’ national standing in the film and television industry.

“This move will help put Illinois a step above our competition,” Sims said. “We have seen exponential growth over the years, and this tax credit would boost that by making the state more attractive to film and television companies around the world.”

The new law extends the end of the Film Production Tax Credit from Jan. 1, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2027.

GLENVIEW – The statute of limitations on civil actions related to certain financial crimes will be changed from 5 years to 10 years under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) that was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“Some seniors may not realize they are victims of financial crimes until after the statute of limitations has expired,” Fine said. “This legislation will give seniors and other victims of these types of crimes ample time to seek justice.”

Under House Bill 2287, the following crimes will have the statute of limitations raised to 10 years:

• Theft of property exceeding $100,000 in value;
• Identity theft;
• Aggravated identity theft;
• Financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability

The legislation takes effect immediately.

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.