Senate approves Belt measure to advance Justice40 initiative in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure through the Senate that would establish the Justice40 Oversight Committee to move the Justice40 initiative forward in Illinois.

“We have seen how climate change and environmental degradation has negatively affected communities all over the nation, specifically disadvantaged ones,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As lawmakers, it’s our responsibility to address these issues and begin to prioritize investments in climate and clean energy.”

The federal government created the Justice40 initiative to confront and address decades of underinvestment in disadvantaged communities. The initiative is to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate change and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.

Read more: Senate approves Belt measure to advance Justice40 initiative in Illinois

Peters strengthens the No Representation Without Population Act

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters passed a measure Thursday expanding the No Representation Without Population Act.

“Prison gerrymandering is a tool that makes incarcerated individuals unfairly represented in the electoral process,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Using the correct demographic information for incarcerated individuals will ensure more equitable and suitable representation.”

The No Representation Without Population Act, requires incarcerated individuals be counted at their home address for redistricting purposes.

Read more: Peters strengthens the No Representation Without Population Act

Senate passes Holmes’ bill to end insurance discrimination based on dog breed

SPRINGFIELD – Right now, families with specific dog breeds sometimes face home or renter insurance discrimination solely because their breed is perceived to be dangerous, resulting in cancelation or stiff premiums for their policies. Longtime animal welfare defender State Senator Linda Holmes wants to prohibit that insurance practice, and her House Bill 1049 to amend insurance code to this effect has passed in the Senate.

"Families should not be punished for owning a specific dog breed, and insurance discrimination only perpetuates harmful stereotypes,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “This measure will help ensure that all dog owners are treated fairly in the insurance market.”

Read more: Senate passes Holmes’ bill to end insurance discrimination based on dog breed

Senate approves Feigenholtz anti-bullying legislation

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that improves transparency, reporting and more timely notification of bullying incidents is one step closer to becoming law after the Senate voted to pass it on Thursday.

“Providing timely notification of these incidents as soon as possible has the potential to save students’ lives,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “School administrators have a responsibility to ensure their schools foster a healthy atmosphere for students.”

House Bill 3425 would require schools to alert parents and guardians of alleged bullying incidents involving their child within 24 hours after the school’s administration is made aware of the incident. A family who tragically lost their son to suicide after being bullied and cyberbullied by his classmates brought this matter to Senator Feigenholtz and Representative Margaret Croke last year in an attempt to address the failures that led to their son’s death.

Read more: Senate approves Feigenholtz anti-bullying legislation