ISDC

Villanueva law adds citizenship classes to high school curriculum

Details: Published: Monday, August 23, 2021 11:01 AM

citizenship test 082321 CHICAGO – So that students better understand the naturalization process, a measure introduced by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that would allow schools to offer courses on naturalization and citizenship was signed into law today.

“More than two-thirds of students who take the U.S. Citizenship test in their history courses end up failing,” Villanueva said. “Schools may now offer instruction on citizenship so that students from all backgrounds know the effort it takes to go through the naturalization process.”

Joyce measure to alleviate Illinois teacher shortage signed into law

Details: Published: Monday, August 23, 2021 10:53 AM

PARK FOREST – A comprehensive proposal by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aimed at eliminating Illinois’ teacher shortage was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

“The teacher shortage in Illinois is a crisis, and this new law offers strategies to reverse the trend,” Joyce said. “As school districts return to in-person learning this fall, this new law will grant retired teachers the ability to substitute teach for more hours without impairing their retirement status.”

Chicago and East St. Louis to gain birthing center licenses

Details: Published: Monday, August 23, 2021 10:01 AM

CHICAGO – A measure led by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to expand the amount of birthing center licenses in Illinois was signed into law Friday by Governor JB Pritzker.

“Tragically, 75 women die every year while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy,” Van Pelt said. “It is even more heartbreaking to know that four out of five pregnancy-related deaths could have been preventable. That is why this measure is so important – we must do everything we can to combat the issues of maternal mortality, including increasing birthing centers.”

Veterans’ Affairs supervisors must be veterans under Connor’s new law

Details: Published: Friday, August 20, 2021 05:18 PM

connor 031921 SPRINGFIELD – All service officers and supervisors for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be required to be honorably discharged veterans under legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) signed into law Friday.

“When our servicemen and women are coming to the VA looking for assistance, we need to be sure that they are able to work with someone who has been in their shoes and who is best able to give them the help they deserve,” Connor said. “By putting our veterans in touch with others who have honorably served, we are putting them on a path for success.”

Follow ILSenDems

Member News

Porfirio resolution honors U.S. Marine Corps

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. “Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and fr...

Read more...
Hastings: Freedom is never free

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in supp...

Read more...
Jones honors fallen state trooper with memorial highway

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns. “Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully...

Read more...
Johnson declares Menopause Awareness Week

SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to a condition that will be faced by more than half of all Illinoisans, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed the effort to declare Oct. 11-17, 2026 Menopause Awareness Week. “Highlighting menopause is vital to gua...

Read more...
Morrison champions resolution declaring September 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois. “Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and dege...

Read more...