Collins recognized for years of work improving urban neighborhoods

CHICAGO – Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago has named State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) as its recipient of the 2022 Gale Cincotta Community Visionary Award for her many years of work improving urban neighborhoods.

NHS selected Collins for the award due to her recent success in reining in predatory lenders in lower-income communities, as well as her efforts to combat racial biases in mortgage lending.

“The unfortunate truth is that housing insecurity is most common in lower-income majority Black and Brown neighborhoods that were disadvantaged by decades of disinvestment and racist housing policies,” Collins said. “I’m proud that I’ve been able to help pass laws and put pressure on city and state leaders to turn these neighborhoods back into true communities that people are proud to call home.”

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Ellman, Yang Rohr to host Women’s History Month panel, celebrate women veterans in Illinois

NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) and State Representative Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville) are teaming up to host a virtual discussion with retired U. S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ginny Narsete in celebration of Women’s History Month and newly-announced Women Veterans Recognition Month in Illinois. The panel will be held on Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. via Facebook live.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than speaking with women from our community who have played a first-hand part in shattering glass ceilings for an entire generation of women and girls,” Ellman said. “We have so much to learn from these trailblazers and their unwavering courage, and I’m honored to be part of the conversation.”

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Simmons sponsors measure to strengthen lead mitigation procedures

SPRINGFIELD - To protect the community from the often deadly impact of lead, State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to strengthen lead mitigation procedures.

“Virtually every community across the state is affected by lead in our water supply,” said Simmons. “This bill provides a systemic response to a problem that is systemic in nature, is decades in the making, and often does the most injury to Black and Brown communities.”

House Bill 4369 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to follow up on lead mitigation notices by carrying out inspections to ensure the work has been completed. The current law merely permits an inspection, while this legislation will require and enforce lead mitigation efforts.

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Holmes measure would protect contract considerations for all public school staff undergoing consolidations

Adds special education staff to the current dissolution process

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has 852 school districts, some of which have sought consolidation in recent years. One consideration is personnel issues such as contracts, compensation and seniority, and they affect educators, support staff and other faculty members.

State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) introduced a measure to help address one personnel concern: special education staffers' contracts would transfer to the newly formed districts when public school districts or special education cooperatives are being formed, annexed or reorganized.Senate Bill 3709 passed in the Senate Wednesday.

Read more: Holmes measure would protect contract considerations for all public school staff undergoing...