Loughran Cappel measure to remove application fees for teaching licenses heads to the House

SPRINGFIELD – To continue her fight to address the teacher shortage, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that would remove the number of days short term substitute teachers can be in the classroom and application fees for teaching licenses, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“As a former special education teacher, I know the struggle of finding substitute teachers, especially with the ever-growing teacher shortage,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “I’ve heard from superintendents in the 49^th District and across the state that are desperately trying to find substitute teachers. This is one step we can take to further address the teacher shortage.”

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Gillespie measure to increase planning for affordable housing passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — Building on her commitment to creating long-term solutions for affordable housing shortages across the state, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that will require more communities to have plans in place to meet the needs of low- to moderate-income families.

“A lack of access to affordable living spaces is a challenge we must continue to address,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “There is more to be done to make sure families, including our most vulnerable, do not find themselves priced out of the area in which they reside.”

Under the Illinois Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act, local governments are exempt if at least 10% of their housing stock consists of affordable housing. This designation results in about 46 of Illinois' 1,298 municipalities being covered by the act, which requires a plan detailing the total number of affordable housing units available and intended steps to ramp up offerings to meet demand.

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Morrison measure to ban use of e-cigarettes indoors clears Senate

SPRINGFIELD – A steadfast champion of Illinois laws to keep harmful tobacco products away from young people, State Senator Julie Morrison expanded upon her work passing a measure to ban e-cigarettes inside public places.

“A tobacco epidemic is continues in our state,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We have made great progress, but the surge of use of e-cigarettes has threatened that progress and lured more people toward a deadly addiction.”

Passed in 2007, the Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibited smoking in public and within 15 feet of entrances, and required “no smoking” signs to be posted on the prohibited public place. However, this law took effect when people primarily smoked cigarettes and cigars.

In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes – like vapes – has increased tremendously, leading Morrison to work to add such products to the Smoke Free Illinois Act through Senate Bill 1561.

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Ventura leads to end fake ‘final notice’ mailings

SPRINGFIELD – To end the misleading practice of fake “final notices,” State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation that requires senders to clearly post the intention of their mailing.

“Far too often new home owners and seniors are the victims of fake final notices,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must end this dishonest business practice so that no one is tricked into purchasing goods or services they don’t need. People shouldn’t have to deal with anxiety-inducing scam letters like these.”

When someone buys a car or home in Illinois, “final notice” letters regarding warranties, protection plans and insurance are often mailed out by third parties to scam recipients into providing information or buying products under the guise of maintaining their home or vehicle.

Read more: Ventura leads to end fake ‘final notice’ mailings