CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci was proud to accept the 2023 Legislator of the Year award from the Illinois Association of School Social Workers. 

"I am proud of the work we were able to accomplish this year to protect students and educators,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “School social workers play an important role in supporting our children, especially children living with disabilities.”

The Illinois Association of School Social Workers is the largest school social work organization in the world. Each year they honor legislators in Illinois who have worked hard to promote and advocate for students in the public education system.

CHICAGO — From hosting three policy roundtables, attending over 60 events and meetings with community organizations and individuals, and introducing and sponsoring 12 bills and resolutions, it’s hard to believe State Senator Natalie Toro has only been in office for 100 days – but the freshman senator says she’s just getting started.

“Since taking office over the summer, my team and I have hit the ground running to get out in our community to hear about the issues most impacting residents and working on policies to address them,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “All of these meetings and brainstorming have helped us build a thorough legislative plan for the upcoming session, and I am excited to put it into action.”

LIBERTYVILLE – President Joe Biden issued a landmark executive order to establish new safety and security stands for artificial intelligence, a move applauded by State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“We need to balance rapidly progressing technology that maximizes artificial intelligence possibilities while also protecting against the potential harms it can cause,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “We are starting to see how unrestricted technology can do harm without practical safeguards in place. I applaud the Biden administration for taking urgent action to work toward ending the exploitation, humiliation and harassment that AI has caused.”

CHICAGO – Three months after Governor JB Pritzker vetoed a bill that would provide halal and kosher food options to students upon request in Illinois public schools in addition to those options being available at state facilities and the University of Illinois Hospital, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure that was agreed upon by stakeholders and the governor.

“I am proud of our collaborative work to make the technical changes requested by the governor to ensure the successful implementation of this legislation,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We are recognizing the cultural needs of our community and this is a big step for families who eat kosher or halal. Everyone deserves to have an option that fits their needs and feel included.”

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus joined Governor JB Pritzker at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning on Tuesday to announce a proposal to create a new state agency to house early childhood programs and funding.

“The foundation of a child’s success and well-being is built starting the moment they are born,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood). “As a state, it is our duty to provide the necessary support and resources to build such stability. The creation of this unique agency will break ground on our transition to a whole, trauma-informed approach to meeting children’s diverse needs.”

The new agency – which would be created legislatively – would focus on administering early childhood education programs to provide a more equitable, integrated and holistic system of services for young children and families in Illinois. The proposal would make access to such state programs easier for parents and providers to navigate.

Combining streamlined oversight to state-funded early childhood programs within the State Board of Education, Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Family Services, the new agency would house the responsibility of the Early Childhood Block Grant, among other items.

Toro introduces new legislation to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Natalie Toro is working on new legislation to ensure protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by expediting the process to receive protective orders against perpetrators and increasing workplace safeguards.

“For too long, people have fallen victim to violence or assault after concerns for their safety were not taken seriously,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is time we turn our commitment to believing survivors into policy and strengthen protections for survivors to prevent further harm.”

Read more.

Feigenholtz, Villivalam receive awards for environmental leadership

CHICAGO — In recognition of environmental leadership, State Senators Sara Feigenholtz and Ram Villivalam recently received awards from the Illinois Environmental Council.

Feigenholtz received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Villivalam received the Milestone Achievement Award.

Read more.

Martwick celebrates Eli's Cheesecake's $10 million groundbreaking expansion

CHICAGO — State Senator Robert Martwick joined community leaders to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Eli’s Cheesecake’s expanded facility.

“Eli’s Cheesecake is one of the largest specialty cheesecake and dessert companies in the country,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Seeing this third-generation family-owned business expand their legacy speaks to the continued economic growth of our communities.”

Read more.

We are hiring!

The Office of the Illinois Senate President and the Senate Democratic Caucus are seeking qualified candidates for several positions, including: Assistant Legal Counsel, Associate Legal Counsel, Legal Review Staff Assistant, Communications Specialist, District Outreach, Legislative Assistant, Policy & Budget Analyst, and Spanish Language Media Specialist.

View current job postings.

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SPRINGFIELD — State Senators Mattie Hunter and Elgie R. Sims, Jr. applauded a new program through the Illinois Housing Development Authority designed to expand the talent pipeline and increase diversity within the housing development field.

“The Next Gen program is a vital step forward in our efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable housing landscape in Illinois,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). “By supporting a diverse group of housing developers with training and financing, we are opening the door to new opportunities and expanded access to affordable housing.”

The Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative will provide training and technical assistance to reduce barriers for BIPOC developers engaged in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. This joint initiative between IHDA and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation is part of the state’s continuing efforts to support the capacity and growth of a diverse pool of affordable housing developers in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Natalie Toro is working on new legislation to ensure protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by expediting the process to receive protective orders against perpetrators and increasing workplace safeguards.

“For too long, people have fallen victim to violence or assault after concerns for their safety were not taken seriously,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “It is time we turn our commitment to believing survivors into policy and strengthen protections for survivors to prevent further harm.”

Protective orders are vital for the safety of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking by separating an alleged offender from the alleged victim. Nearly 56,000 protective orders were filed in Illinois during 2021 alone. However, these orders are only effective if they are served or if a short order notification is issued.