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The Majority Report - June 15, 2018 - FW: Looking ahead to the 2020 Census

The Majority Report - June 8, 2018 - State budget winners: Schools, universities, local government

The Majority Report - May 25, 2018 - Challenging the status quo on child care, equal pay

The Majority Report - May 18, 2018 - Mayors to governor: Hands off our share of income tax

Today, Senate President John J. Cullerton welcomed the Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Mr. Eric Huang. Mr. Huange spoke about the relationship and trade between the US and Taiwan.

TECO in Chicago’s jurisdiction include seven states in the Midwest which are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, The geographical size of the seven states is approximately 378,400 square miles, and is 10.5% of the whole landmass of the United States.

The Majority Report - May 11, 2018 - Pensions, bigotry, K2 capture Senate's attention

On March 24, 2018, the Loyola Ramblers defeated Kansas State 78-62 to advance to play in their second Final Four in school history. On May 9, they came to the Illinois Senate at the Capitol in Springfield.

Loyola alum and Senate President John Cullerton welcomed Coach Porter Moser, MVC Coach of the Year, and his team to celebrate the exciting 2017-18 season that culminated in a journey to the NCAA Final Four.

The woman at the Ramblers’ side for their wild March Madness ride, 98-year-old Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, who has served as team chaplain since 1996, accompanied them again today to Springfield. Sister Jean became a media sensation and a top-selling bobble head at the Loyola bookstore. She also threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Cubs’ season opener this spring.

The Senate approved a resolution, SR1703, sponsored by President Cullerton. It congratulates the team on their magnificent season in the Missouri Valley Conference and NCAA Tournament. The resolution also points out the many individual honors earned by team members and the inspirational role of Sister Jean.

The 2018 Ramblers set numerous records this year; the university and its basketball team have a history of breaking records, most notably in 1963 when they won the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament national championship under the leadership of All-American Jerry Harkness. That year, Loyola also spurred a national conversation on race with their integrated team, in one instance holding a game in secret to circumvent segregation laws.

Here is our look back at that season from a visit by the 1963 team to the Illinois Senate in 2013, on the occasion of their induction to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

The Majority Report - May 4, 2018 - Senate pushes for government accountability, protects students

The Majority Report - April 27, 2018 - Tobacco 21, bump stock ban pass Senate

SPRINGFIELD – The mighty Maroons of Belleville Township High School – West boys’ basketball team joined State Senator James F. Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville) at the state capitol today to honor their recent 4A State Championship.

The Maroons triumphed over the Dolphins of Whitney Young Magnet High School (Chicago) in overtime at Carver Arena in Peoria last month, giving Belleville West their first state championship in program history.

Senator Clayborne, the senate’s Majority Leader, was proud to welcome the students, saying their victory was a huge win for them and the entire Metro East.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) welcomed 2017 Miss Illinois Abby Foster to the Illinois State Capitol today.

A Danville native, Foster competed in the Miss America beauty pageant last September where she was voted as “America’s Choice” and finished in the Top 15.

“Abby really has done a terrific job as Miss Illinois,” Bennett said. “She is an impressive young woman, a tremendous student and a very involved and visible member of our community. We could not be prouder of how she has represented Danville, Vermilion County and our state.

Today, Senate President John J. Cullerton welcomed the British Consul General of Chicago, Mr. John Saville. Mr. Saville spoke about the relationship and trade between the US and UK, and the value of exports from Illinois to the UK.

Mr. Saville joined the FCO in 1981 and has had a range of Diplomatic Service appointments including as Deputy Head of Mission in Cuba and as High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam. His most recent appointment was Her Majesty’s Ambassador to The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Majority Report - April 20, 2018 - Looking out for workers, small businesses and special ed

Senate President John J. Cullerton welcomed the consul general of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago to the Senate on Wednesday.

Mantvydas Bakesius has served in the foreign service for nearly 20 years. He began his career in the public relations department of the Ministry of Defense in Lithuania.

He went on to complete two special missions in Afghanistan before returning to Lithuania to serve as chief of staff for the speaker of Parliament and then as deputy foreign minister.

He became the consul general in 2017.

You can listen to or watch his full remarks to the Senate below.

The Majority Report - April 14, 2018 - Senate moves to protect, advance women's rights

The Majority Report - April 6, 2018: Senate President to Rauner: take action on gun laws

The Majority Report - March 16, 2018: Illinois Senate walks out for solidarity, then votes for stronger gun laws

The Majority Report - March 29, 2018: Senate Democrats, students march to say #NeverAgain

Senator Michael Hastings comments on House Bill 1465 on the floor of the Illinois Senate on March 14, 2018.