Cervantes legislation to protect immigrant workers passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – At a time when immigrant workers are facing unprecedented surveillance and discrimination, State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes is fighting to protect employees from unfair retaliation from their workplace through new legislation.

“Every employee makes mistakes, especially when filling out confusing, lengthy paperwork,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “It is unfair to hold immigrant employees to a wholly different standard where making such a mistake can result in them losing their job. As many immigrants are more afraid of losing work because of their immigration status than ever before due to the current political climate, I am proud to be making one element of their lives less anxiety-inducing through this legislation.”

Federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through an online system that compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees upon receiving this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.

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Landmark energy relief measure clears Senate with Cunningham support

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham backed an energy relief package Thursday that is projected to save Illinois households more than $13 billion over the next two decades, marking a turning point in Illinois’ pursuit of a sustainable and renewable energy future.

“Nationwide, we’ve seen electricity bills skyrocket this summer,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Without meaningful relief, this trend will continue – leaving families and small businesses to foot the bill for a broken system.”

Read more: Landmark energy relief measure clears Senate with Cunningham support

Joyce-led proposal to save the Illinois horse racing industry passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To give a boost to the horse racing industry and Illinois’ economy, State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a bill in the Senate that would, among multiple other items, allow for the development of new horse racing tracks in Illinois.

“Illinois used to be a powerhouse in horse racing and horse breeding,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are trying to advance the ball on an industry that employs thousands.”

House Bill 2724 would allow for the construction of a new harness track in Macon County. The bill would also set a deadline for the development of an additional harness race track and horse racetrack casino, or racino, in Cook County’s south suburbs.

Read more: Joyce-led proposal to save the Illinois horse racing industry passes Senate

Lake County Senators release joint statement on Warren Township High School incident

GURNEE — Lake County State Senators Mary Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake), Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) and Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) released the following joint statement regarding a pursuit of individuals involving federal agents near Warren Township High School in Gurnee on Thursday:

“Our community deserves safety, transparency and respect — not reckless behavior that endangers children and residents. Today’s event made it clear that federal agents were not taking residents’ safety into consideration, resulting in a reckless high-speed chase during a time when children were being dropped off at school.

“What is especially alarming is the way the situation was handled so close to a school. There is already anxiety and fear surrounding federal agents coming into our neighborhoods and taking our friends and neighbors with no due process, exceeding their lawful scope. No one should have to live their lives afraid of their safety and well-being. 

Read more: Lake County Senators release joint statement on Warren Township High School incident