Villivalam hosts fifth subject matter hearing on how transit mitigates climate impact
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CHICAGO – Senate Transportation Chair Ram Villivalam held a subject matter hearing Thursday to discuss how public transit mitigates climate impact.
“As public transit continues to positively impact our climate, it is imperative that we have discussions about what we can do to continue making progress,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Today’s hearing included discussions about what is being done proactively to ensure that public transit helps mitigate the current climate impact, the importance of public transit to Lake County and North Cook County residents, and what can be done going forward.”
Across the Regional Transit Authority region, public transit is expected to hit a $730 million fiscal cliff in 2026, as federal COVID-19 pandemic funding is running out.
Read more: Villivalam hosts fifth subject matter hearing on how transit mitigates climate impact
Feigenholtz honored with LGBTQ+ bar association award
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CHICAGO — State Senator Sara Feigenholtz was recognized Thursday with the Advocate Award at LAGBAC’s Lawyers for Diversity celebration for her decades-long work in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The privilege I have of working alongside the LGBTQIA+ legal community cannot be understated,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Standing alongside the passionate, sharp minds of the legal community and the street fighters and activists who got us here has been nothing short of breathtaking.”
Feigenholtz has been a career-long advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She has consistently worked to prevent gender- and sexual identity-based discrimination, secured millions in HIV/AIDS prevention funding, strengthened Illinois’ hate crime laws, protected reproductive freedom and access to gender-affirming care, modernized inclusive language on birth and marriage certificates, expanded adoption protections for same-sex couples and more.
Read more: Feigenholtz honored with LGBTQ+ bar association award
Illinois Equal Justice Foundation honors Sims with “Good Government Award”
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CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. received the Good Government Award from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Thursday for his advocacy to fund legal aid programs – helping more than 2.3 million Illinois residents seek justice.
“Our government’s primary responsibility is to protect the rights of all people and I am proud to advocate for greater state funding for civil legal aid and the IEJF to live up to this basic responsibility,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Through its grant making, IEJF champions the legal needs of our most underserved communities to ensure everyone is protected by our civil justice system.”
Sims received the award Thursday at the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration – which highlighted more than two decades of powering Illinois’ legal aid system.
Read more: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation honors Sims with “Good Government Award”
Senate Democrats celebrate over $25 million in grant funding to support renewable energy projects
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CHICAGO—Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus are helping lead Illinois’ efforts to be a nationwide leader in investing in environmental sustainability by supporting a $25.5 million investment for the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program.
“This grant funding opportunity will allow folks from across Illinois to help create a greener future,” said Senator David Koehler (D – Peoria), one of the leading supporters of the initiative in the Senate. “The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is essential to leveling the green energy playing field and ensuring no one is left behind.”
The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is part of the historic Senate Democrat-led Climate and Equitable Jobs Act . This law established a larger strategy to equitably grow the clean energy workforce in Illinois. To meet these goals, the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program aims to help remove barriers to projects, community, and business development in communities that have been historically left behind due to lack of available capital.
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SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses. “We teach children at a young age...
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