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Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Belt law helps tackle increasing number of food deserts
Belt law helps tackle increasing number of food deserts
Lakesia Collins sworn in as new state senator for the 5th District
Lakesia Collins sworn in as new state senator for the 5th District
Harmon applauds Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding state assault weapons ban
Harmon applauds Illinois Supreme Court ruling upholding state assault weapons ban

Joyce opens the door for new developments in downtown Kankakee

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:50 PM

DTKankakee

SPRINGFIELD – The City of Kankakee will now be the latest community to be a part of the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program, thanks to State Senator Patrick Joyce’s leadership to get Senate Bill 1963 over the finish line.

“When I was growing up, downtown Kankakee was a vibrant area full of small businesses and things to do,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By adding Kankakee to the list of towns eligible to be in the River Edge Redevelopment Zone, investors and small business owners alike will have tax incentives to invest in the downtown area. This action aims to bring back businesses and give old river communities another chance for development.”  

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program helps revive and redevelop environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in Illinois. Currently, the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act authorizes the Illinois Department of Commerce to designate zones in five cities: Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford. This new legislation will add Kankakee and Joliet to the list of authorized municipalities in the zones.

Read more: Joyce opens the door for new developments in downtown Kankakee

Holmes advocates for drone use by law enforcement for public safety

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:40 PM

holmes 052523SPRINGFIELD – On Feb. 15, 2019, a mass shooting took place at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora. Within 90 minutes of the shooter’s arrival, five people had been killed by the gunman. Five police officers were injured along with another civilian. The Aurora Police Department began reviewing the case for opportunities to use their drones at events; over the next three years, a plan was formed.

On Wednesday, Aurora’s State Senator Linda Holmes brought the work of law enforcement agencies who studied how the use of drones could play a role in protecting the public in mass shooting events, and House Bill 3902 – the Drones as First Responders Act – was heard and passed in the Senate.

“This measure gives police and other first responders critical information in a chaotic situation where lives are at stake,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This capability could spare another community the suffering and trauma we experienced here.”

Read more: Holmes advocates for drone use by law enforcement for public safety

Hunter creates joint cause scratch-off lottery game

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 04:20 PM

Sen. Mattie Hunter

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a bill that will equitably distribute proceeds from specialty lottery scratch-off tickets, as well as create two new causes to provide educational opportunities to Black and Brown youth.

“By establishing a Joint Special Instant Scratch-Off Game, we are providing an opportunity for our residents to contribute to causes that make a meaningful impact in our communities,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This legislation will streamline operations and better distribute proceeds — ultimately benefiting both the Illinois Lottery and the causes it supports.”

Senate Bill 1508 amends the Illinois Lottery Law by introducing a Joint Special Instant Scratch-Off Game, which will combine specialty causes into one ticket — limited to 10 causes at any given time — and split the proceeds equally among the causes. Currently, there are eight separate specialty cause scratch-off games benefiting breast cancer research, veterans assistance, multiple sclerosis research, HIV/AIDS prevention, Special Olympics, police memorials, homelessness prevention programs, and Alzheimer’s care. Under the current structure, the Illinois Lottery faces several challenges, including disproportionate proceeds from various specialty games.

Read more: Hunter creates joint cause scratch-off lottery game

Senator Fine passes rate review legislation, prevents excessive rate increases on health insurance

Details
Thursday, May 25, 2023 03:08 PM

Sen. Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – Between 2013 and 2021, health care costs increased by 25% causing Illinoisans to spend, on average, over $7,000 on healthcare per person. In order to protect consumers and small businesses from excessive insurance premium increases, State Senator Laura Fine sponsored House Bill 2296, which would require the state to review and approve health insurance rate changes and make the process more transparent.

“Since becoming a legislator, I have been a fierce consumer advocate to provide quality, affordable healthcare to Illinois residents,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This initiative empowers the Department of Insurance to reject unsubstantiated increases in insurance premiums and provides essential transparency to the process.”

House Bill 2296 protects consumers by giving the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) the authority to approve, modify, or deny excessive premium rate increases for individuals and small businesses. The legislation would also provide transparency on the process of insurance plans changing their rates by requiring DOI to post proposed rates on their website with space for members of the public to comment.

Read more: Senator Fine passes rate review legislation, prevents excessive rate increases on health insurance

  1. Senator Halpin’s legislation gives more in-state students access to Illinois universities
  2. Cunningham, Gill put the red light camera industry on notice
  3. Senator Fine celebrates Unplug Illinois Day
  4. Castro package to improve equity in procurement, state contracts clears Senate

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Joyce appointed co-chair to newly established task force to retain firefighters and paramedics
Joyce appointed co-chair to newly established task force to retain firefighters and paramedics
KANKAKEE – A measure championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce earlier this year created the Recruiting and Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force, and recently, Senate President Don...

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Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
Peters to celebrate end of cash bail system based on wealth
CHICAGO – Illinois will officially become the first state in the United States to end the use of cash bail on Monday, thanks to collaboration between Senator Peters, crime victim...

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The Majority Report 09/11/23 - Strengthening the EV supply chain
The Majority Report 09/11/23 - Strengthening the EV supply chain
Senate Democrats celebrate $2 billion EV battery manufacturing plant coming to Kankakee County MANTENO — Senate Democrats joined company leaders and local and state officials Friday to announce Gotion’s historic decision...

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Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
Faraci, Turner advocate for mental health services in ag communities
DECATUR – As strong advocates of Illinois’ agriculture industry, State Senators Paul Faraci and Doris Turner joined state officials and agriculture leaders at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to support...

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Gillespie selected for prestigious Milbank Fellows Program
Gillespie selected for prestigious Milbank Fellows Program
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — State Senator Ann Gillespie has been chosen to join the 2023-24 cohort of the Milbank Fellows Program, a 10-month leadership program focused on public policy to improve...

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The Majority Report 08/28/23 - Combating carjackings, supporting women in trades and more
The Majority Report 08/28/23 - Combating carjackings, supporting women in trades and more
Belt secures funding to tackle carjackings in Metro East EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force —...

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