PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler is recognizing the 10^th anniversary of the devastating tornado that tore through Washington and Pekin communities — a solemn reminder of the importance of year-round weather preparedness.

"We still remember the events that occurred a decade ago that left these communities devastated,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The people who lived in the communities hit by the tornado worked to clean up after the storms and help make their towns habitable again.”

In the early hours of Nov. 17, 2013, a devastating EF-4 tornado tore through the communities of Washington and Pekin, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The storm caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, and resulted in the death of one individual.

SPRINGFIELD — Suburban township mental health boards approved by referendum last year will be able to collect the revenue needed to operate after legislation led by State Senator Ann Gillespie was signed into law Friday.

“I am grateful we were able to quickly advance legislation to amend an error within the referendums and allow our community mental health boards to provide vital services to those in need,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Residents made their voices heard when they approved the boards, and it is fundamental to democracy that we uphold their decision.”

Community mental health boards, or 708 boards, are appointed panels that levy property taxes to fund local organizations and community mental health initiatives. Referendums approving 708 boards in several townships – including Addison, Elgin, Lisle, Naperville, Schaumburg and Wheeling townships – and Will County were deemed invalid because they did not include language about how the tax to fund the board would impact homeowners.

Senate Bill 690 guarantees the results of these referendums, allowing affected townships to levy the tax necessary to fund the boards without re-submitting the referendum in 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure that preserves insurance choices for rural farmers in Illinois is now law, thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

Harris’ initiative – which was signed into law Friday – modernizes coverage requirements for farm mutual insurance companies to allow them to adapt to changes in the insurance marketplace and continue to provide coverage to farmers across Illinois.

“Illinois’ farmers drive our economy,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “It is important that we update the state’s provisions to allow these community insurance companies to keep their doors open and preserve choice in the insurance marketplace.”

Farm mutual insurance companies typically started off as small community-based organizations, but over time many have grown and began to offer insurance to more members in more diverse communities. Currently, there are 44 farm mutual companies that provide more than 50,000 policy holders with insurance coverage.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham spearheaded legislation that expands access to savings accounts for people living with disabilities, known as the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

“ABLE accounts provide much-needed protections for people living with disabilities and their families by allowing them to build financial wellness without risking their federal government benefits,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We chose to expand this program because it’s proven to work and is a testament to our commitment to those who deserve our support.”

House Bill 3641 makes expansive changes to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program, which helps people with disabilities and their families save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for certain government benefits. The measure allows people over the age of 18 to start an IL ABLE account and enables the accounts to conserve additional benefits, such as VA benefits.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding new legislation to diversify the state’s pool of law enforcement officers by prohibiting the use of credit history in hiring decisions:

“An applicant's poor credit history should not preclude that person from becoming a police officer. If we want to address the decrease in officers applying and diversify our law enforcement, we have to remove these outdated, classist policies.

“Senate Bill 2608 would prohibit police departments across Illinois from denying employment and promotions based on someone’s credit. Looking at the Chicago Police Department alone, data shows that only 20% of the force is Black.

DANVILLE – Especially during the winter months, socks are among the most-requested articles of clothing by people experiencing homelessness, leading State Senator Paul Faraci to continue the work of State Senator Scott Bennett by hosting a donation drive collecting new socks for shelters across Vermilion County.

“Warm socks are something we take for granted and a luxury for those experiencing homelessness,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “With your help, we can provide a little bit of comfort to those in need during the harsh winter months.”

Worn-out or ragged socks put people at serious risk of foot disease and, during the winter months, in severe danger from the cold. As a result, new socks are greatly needed by those experiencing homelessness — but they are the least-donated clothing item at homeless shelters.

From now until Dec. 15, community members are encouraged to donate new socks for men, women and children at the collection locations below:

• Senator Faraci’s District Office | 201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323, Danville
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Robinson Chiropractic | 3595 N. Vermilion St., Danville
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Westville Village Hall | 201 N. State St., Westville
  • Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donations will benefit Crosspoint at the Y Homeless Program, Danville Rescue Mission (Vermilion Community Restoration) and Fair Hope Children’s Ministry.

For questions or additional information, contact Senator Faraci’s office at 217-442-5252.

DUPO — Motorists who need to renew their driver’s licenses and purchase vehicle stickers can attend a free mobile unit event Saturday sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt.

“The mobile unit makes it easier for people to receive necessary services while cutting wait times,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I encourage residents to stop by if they need to renew their licenses or vehicle registration.”

The free event is on a first come, first serve basis and will be held Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dupo Village Hall, located at 107 N. 2^nd St. The unit operates like a DMV office and offers driver’s license renewals, identification cards and license plate stickers.

Belt invites local veterans to utilize this event to add a veteran designation to their driver’s license or state ID. For veteran designation, residents must bring their DD-214 or Form 13038. For more information about veteran ID services, call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-437-9824.

With questions or for additional information, contact Senator Belt’s office at 618-875-1212.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is leading the way toward a cleaner, greener future thanks to a measure from State Senator Rachel Ventura to require state-owned vehicles to be zero emission.

“Zero emission vehicles deliver big gains for both our environment and our economy,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Taking bold steps to cut pollution puts us closer to our nation-leading goal to become a 100% clean energy state.”

Highway vehicles release about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year — mostly in the form of carbon dioxide — which contribute to the global climate crisis. The continuous adoption of zero-emission vehicles has the ability to move the nation close to an 80% decrease in transportation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Senate Bill 1769 will require passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the state to either be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle or converted into a zero-emission vehicle by 2030. Exceptions will be made for law enforcement and IDOT vehicles. Currently 13 other states have adopted similar zero-emission vehicle requirements, Minnesota being the only other Midwestern state to do so.