Harmon statement on Legislative Inspector General nomination

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement after the State Senate advanced a resolution nominating Judge Michael McCuskey to be the new Legislative Inspector General:

“The position of Legislative Inspector General is too important to stay vacant for as long as it has. An impasse is not an option, so we are taking decisive action to move forward with an excellent candidate.

Read more: Harmon statement on Legislative Inspector General nomination

Joyce offering residents resources for tax assistance

CHICAGO HEIGHTS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging families in need of assistance filing their 2021 income taxes to take advantage of new assistance programs offered by the Internal Revenue Service and AARP.

“Filing taxes can be stressful, but there are resources available to help,” said Joyce. “Please share this information with friends and loved ones who need assistance filing their tax return.”

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offers assistance to individuals who earn $58,000 a year or less, people aged 60 or older, people living with a disability and taxpayers with limited English-speaking skills.

Read more: Joyce offering residents resources for tax assistance

Morrison: Children taking school buses should be safe from reckless drivers

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) advanced a bill to include community service as a possible punishment if a person speeds in a school zone or illegally passes a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended.

“Children taking the bus to school should be worried about their schoolwork, not worried about reckless drivers,” Morrison said. “This measure will further deter folks from speeding or passing school buses and really reflect on how their actions could harm members of their community.”

Morrison is a longtime advocate of transportation safety. She previously added community service as a possible punishment for violations of Scott’s Law, which requires that drivers reduce speeds and change lanes for emergency vehicles. She hopes that her latest measure will emphasize the importance of driving safely around school buses to keep children and bus drivers out of harm’s way.

Read more: Morrison: Children taking school buses should be safe from reckless drivers

Peters measure to make the Capitol more accessible advances

Springfield- A measure to make the capitol complex more accessible for visitors with disabilities clears an important hurdle thanks to State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“The Capitol grounds belong to all of the people,'' said Peters. “Everyone, regardless of ability, should be able to freely move about the Capitol and be able to navigate their way through our public spaces.”

Senate Bill 0180 requires the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate to each appoint an accessibility coordinator to work in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol to address accessibility needs for each chamber.

Read more: Peters measure to make the Capitol more accessible advances