Loughran Cappel law honors submarine veterans
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SPRINGFIELD – United States Submarine Veterans can now receive a special license plate, thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that was signed into law Friday.
“We have to uplift our veterans by honoring the sacrifices they have made,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is one way we can show our support and thank them for their service.”
The new law allows the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veteran license plates to Illinois residents who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. New York and Connecticut offer similar submarine service license plates.
Belt measure to address teacher shortage signed into law
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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has faced a teacher shortage in recent years, which encouraged State Senator Christopher Belt to champion a new law to address this ongoing issue.
“As an advocate for quality education and the well-being of our students, I am always looking for ways to confront issues that negatively affect our state’s schools,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We should be attracting educators to our schools, not pushing them away. They deserve more from us.”
The new law will provide retention bonuses of $4,000 per year, for two consecutive years to teachers who are National Board Certified and are employed in hard-to-staff schools. A hard-to-staff school is a public school that no less than 30% of the student enrollment is considered low-income. Becoming a National Board Certified teacher is a career continuum for those who start in pre-service teacher preparation, leading aspiring teachers to pursue and achieve National Board Certification.
Read more: Belt measure to address teacher shortage signed into law
Koehler law highlights career and educational opportunities for students living with disabilities
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler passed a law to highlight future career opportunities for children living with disabilities.
“Children living with disabilities and their families often feel as if there aren’t many job opportunities after graduation,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). This new law will empower children living with disabilities with opportunities to be successful in our state’s workforce.”
Under House Bill 3224, students with individualized education plans – or IEPs – and their parents will be provided information on the school district’s career and technical education and dual credit opportunities.
New landmark Simmons law requires air-conditioning in state-supported affordable housing while making living conditions for affordable housing residents safer
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons championed a new law to improve the quality of life for current affordable housing residents.
“No person should have to be without proper heating and cooling in their home,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Residents deserve an environment that is safe, clean and properly cooled.”
Senate Bill 2013 is a direct response to the tragic passing of three Rogers Park senior residents who died of suspected heat exhaustion. The law will require any residential building that is state-funded to meet minimum standard of living conditions so they may continue receiving funding from the program.
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes’ measure to keep a closer watch on Illinois’ gray foxes moved a step nearer to becoming law on Thursday. The gray fox population in Illinois and much of the Midwest has been declining over the last 30 years, pr... -
SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring middle school students receive equal opportunity to earn high school credits, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with the option to earn high school credit for high... -
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose de... -
SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about t... -
SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses. “We teach children at a young age...
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