Glowiak Hilton moves to protect consumers from scam calls

OAKBROOK TERRACE – To prevent residents from being misled by phone scams, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) has advanced an initiative with bipartisan support to outlaw scam call operators from disguising their identity by having a false telephone number show up on caller ID.  

“As technology advances, scammers use creative, deceitful tactics to trick residents into giving them personal information,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By prohibiting automated solicitors from falsifying caller ID, I hope to protect residents from falling victim to telephone scams.”

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Joyce’s plan to bring a natural gas pipeline to Pembroke Township passes committee

PEMBROKE – Residents of Pembroke Township could heat their homes more cleanly and efficiently under legislation from State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). The measure, which would help bring a natural gas pipeline to the area, cleared the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday.

This legislation would create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program would distribute grants for the construction of new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Pembroke Township.

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Black Caucus Applauds Equity-Driven Learning Renewal Guidelines to Address Pandemic Learning Loss

SPRINGFIELD — Members of Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) are offering support for the state’s Learning Renewal Guide, a set of recommendations to help local schools address learning loss by students due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the past year, Illinois students and families have faced unprecedented educational disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” ILBC Joint Caucus Chair state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, said. “We owe it to students to ensure they receive a high quality education and that they are able make up for learning loss caused by the pandemic.”

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Van Pelt: Substance abuse is a disorder, and needs to be treated as such

 CHICAGO – Tuesday afternoon, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) held a hearing in light of rising opioid overdose deaths in Cook County over the past year.

 “I think it’s necessary to reanalyze substance addiction in a way that is not criminalizing the addict,” Van Pelt said. “Substance abuse is a disorder, and people need treatment, not punishment. The drug companies, dealers, doctors and pharmacists should be held accountable for the role they play in these overdoses.”

 Gloria Banks, member of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere, testified that users are victims, and dealers are the ones who should be criminalized. Banks’ brother Jay died last December of an overdose.  Banks said she doesn’t believe it to be an accident, but rather a homicide.

Read more: Van Pelt: Substance abuse is a disorder, and needs to be treated as such