SPRINGFIELD – More veteran-owned businesses would secure state contracts under a measure sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“We need to do our best to foster veteran-owned businesses in our state,” Munoz said. “This is a valuable commitment to veterans who are establishing themselves after serving our country.”
Senate Bill 1680 allows chief procurement officers to set aside a fair proportion of construction, supply or service contracts for veteran-owned businesses, and was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
Currently, state agencies have a goal of awarding at least 3 percent of state contracts to veteran-owned businesses.
In order to be considered a veteran-owned or disabled veteran-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.
The proposal heads to the House consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty would be eligible for grants and scholarships from the Police Memorial Committee under a proposal by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“This measure offers support to spouses who have lost their partner in the line of duty,” said Munoz, a former Chicago police officer. “Moving forward after such a tragic loss is extremely difficult, but offering scholarships can play a small part in a spouse’s healing process.”
Currently, the Police Memorial Committee offers scholarships to children of police officers killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1183 extends the pool of recipients to include spouses.
The Police Memorial Committee Fund receives $10 of every issuance fee for Police Memorial Committee license plates, and $23 of every renewal fee thereafter. The fund is also used for maintaining a memorial statute on the Capitol Complex, and holding an annual memorial commemoration.
The measure heads to the House for consideration.
“Setting aside contracts for veteran-owned businesses ensures that we are spending state dollars on supporting our veterans as they work to establish lives after their service to our country,” Munoz said.
Senate Bill 1680 allows chief procurement officers to set aside a fair proportion of construction, supply or service contracts for veteran-owned businesses, and was approved by the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday.
In order to be considered a veteran-owned or disabled veteran-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans or service disabled veterans.
The proposal heads to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – To protect individuals who take out a payday loan, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading efforts to ensure that the final payment on a loan is not significantly higher than the previous payment.
“Consumers shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the final payment on a loan,” Munoz said. “They should be able to budget throughout the life of a loan without any surprises.”
Senate Bill 1758, which was approved by the Senate executive Committee on Wednesday, caps the amount for a final payment on a loan to 5 percent more than the previously scheduled payment.
The plan clarifies the meaning of “substantially equal installments” in a previous law enacted to help consumers budget effectively to pay back loans. It also makes sure that the entire principal on a loan is not due on the last payment.
The measure heads to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Children of fallen police officers or firefighters would be eligible to receive specialty license plates under a proposal sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“When you’re a police officer or firefighter your family serves with you,” said Munoz, a former Chicago police officer. “We want to give those children who have lost a parent in the line of duty to know that we acknowledge their loss and give them an opportunity to commemorate their loved one.”
Currently, only the surviving spouse and parents of a fallen police officer or firefighter are eligible for the license plates.
Senate Bill 1894 allows children and step children of police officers or firefighters who have died in the line of duty to be issued deceased police officer or firefighter license plates. The measure was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.
A $15 fee is charged for the first issuance of the license plate in addition to the registration fee. A $2 fee is charged for each registration renewal thereafter.
The proposal is scheduled to move to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD- The price of appearing on Illinois ballots as presidential and vice-presidential candidates would be publicizing tax returns under a proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“Anyone seeking to hold presidential office should be transparent with their conflicts of interests,” Munoz said. “Voters have used this information in their decision-making process for decades, and it’s time we make it law.”
Senate Bill 145 requiring presidential candidates to file the five most recent years’ tax returns with the Secretary of State before appearing on a primary or general election ballot was approved by the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday.
Candidates would need to file their returns five days prior to the date set for certification of the ballot for the general election.
The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Chicago residents could soon have a say in who sits on the City Colleges of Chicago board of trustees under a plan presented by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
Senate Bill 206 puts the board of trustees on a nonpartisan ballot for the 2020 primary election with one trustee of the 20 trustees up for election each consolidated election thereafter.
“There are 39 community college districts in Illinois, and Chicago is the only one that is appointed by a mayor and not elected,” Munoz said. “There’s not a worthwhile reason for that, and we need to give the control back to the communities they serve.”
Chicago would be divided into 20 districts that would elect trustees to the board with an additional trustee elected city-wide.
SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) commends Gov. JB Pritzker for expressing his commitment to Illinois’ immigrant community.
The governor signed an executive order on Thursday that strengthens Illinois’ commitment to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
“Our immigrant communities have been under attack by harmful rhetoric and measures rooted in racism and xenophobia from the White House. We cannot allow families throughout our state to live in fear, and I’m glad to see that our new administration sees the importance of Welcoming Centers along with other resources that help immigrants establish their lives here.”
CHICAGO- A measure approved shortly after the killing of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer to combat illegal gun trafficking became law today.
Senate Bill 337 requires gun dealers to be certified with the Illinois State Police and to train employees on conducting background checks and taking measures to prevent theft. Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) released the following statement on the signing of the new law:
“Since my time serving as a Chicago police officer, it’s been my priority to find ways to prevent the illegal sales that put guns in the hands of wrongdoers. We are creating a way for the State to keep track of gun sales and make sure that all gun dealers are playing a part in keeping our communities safe.
“I applaud Governor Pritzker for starting off his first week in office by taking action on a commonsense measure that was long overdue.”
State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on the shooting at Mercy Hospital in Chicago yesterday:
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the horrific shooting at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville yesterday. I am praying for all those who were affected. To the families of the victims—I cannot even begin to fathom the pain you are experiencing, but please know that our community is here for you.
CHICAGO – On World Refugee Day, the Illinois Senate Latino Caucus demands an end to the Trump administration’s inhumane practices of ripping apart families at the border.
As a result of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ orders in April to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for illegal border crossings, including people requesting asylum, more than 2,300 children have been taken from their families and held in inhumane conditions.
SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Antonio “Tony” Munoz (D-Chicago) advanced legislation Thursday giving the Illinois State Police tools to better evaluate Firearm Owners Identification Card applications.
“This measure provides the State Police the proper information for them to make the right decisions when it comes to administering FOID cards,” Munoz said. “It closes a loophole that was potentially putting guns in the hands of individuals who are unfit to possess them.”
Currently, individuals who have been a patient of a mental health facility within the past five years are ineligible to receive a FOID card. House Bill 4855 expands the definition of patient to include those who are placed in a mental health facility against their will, but ultimately not court ordered.
The legislation also:
The proposal now moves to the governor’s desk for final approval before it becomes law.
Assistant Majority Leader Antonio “Tony” Munoz (D-Chicago) reminds drivers to be cautious when driving on expressways and move over when approaching a vehicle stranded on the side of the road.
In 2000, Lieutenant Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway. As a way to commemorate his life and protect emergency personnel from accidents or injury, Scott’s Law was passed to enforce penalties on drivers who cause accidents, injuries, or don’t yield to emergency vehicles.
Recently, that law was expanded to cover all stranded motor vehicles as far too many accidents have occurred involving vehicles stranded on the expressway.
SPRINGFIELD – Senate Latino Caucus members joined Senate President John Cullerton, President Pro Tempore Don Harmon and immigrant and refugee rights advocates this week to discuss the Senate’s recent actions taken to protect immigrant communities.
“I’m the son of hard-working immigrants, and as an elected official it is my honor and duty to support policies that continue to give the immigrant community the opportunities my family has had in the United States of America,” Latino Caucus Co-Chair Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) said. “Donald Trump is trying to take away these opportunities in the land that I love, but policies like these give hope to our people and show we are a force that can use our sacred legislative process to fight back against bigotry.”
SPRINGFIELD- Assistant Majority Leader Antonio “Tony” Munoz (D-Chicago) advanced legislation Wednesday giving the Illinois State Police tools to better evaluate Firearm Owners Identification Card applications.
“We want to make sure we’re not handing out FOID cards to individuals who are a potential threat to public safety,” Munoz said. “And we want to make sure the Illinois State Police have the proper information to evaluate these applications.”
The proposal now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Illinois Senate Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is working to close a loophole that allows car thieves to avoid accountability in court.
Currently, officers are required to establish if the person driving a stolen vehicle has “knowledge” that the vehicle is stolen or converted in order to pursue charges. Knowledge is especially difficult to prove when the driver has the keys to a stolen vehicle, as occurs when a vehicle is obtained after a carjacking.
“Current law makes it too easy for car thieves to avoid taking full responsibility for their crimes,” Munoz said. “This measure gives law enforcement the tools to hold offenders accountable and get justice for car owners who are victims to these crimes.”
Senate Bill 2339 changes the law so “knowledge” that a vehicle is stolen may be inferred from surrounding facts and circumstances, which would lead a reasonable person to believe that the vehicle was stolen.
The legislation also creates a new process to deal with minors held for carjacking or possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The change would require minors charged with those crimes to be evaluated and given access to counseling and other recommended services.
The plan will now move to the House for consideration.
SPRINGFIELD- Retiring Illinois State Police Officers could soon have the option of purchasing their service weapon and badge under legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).
“As an officer, you carry your badge and gun every day,” Munoz said. “They are symbols of a career in law enforcement, and retiring officers have earned the opportunity to keep them as an honor to their commitment and service.”
Page 2 of 3