State Senator Napoleon Harris Budget Address Reaction 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) released the following statement regarding a proposed budget that makes mental health and public safety a priority in Illinois: 

“As this pandemic continues to hinder us from returning back to our normal lives it is imperative that our budget provides resources and programs that invest in mental health. I strongly support a budget that will provide $63 million to strengthen behavioral health organizations, sustain the well-being of our frontline workers and invest in mental health programs. 

SPRINGFIELD - As the ongoing teacher shortage persists, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III is leading a measure to allow retired teachers to return to the classroom for a longer period of time.

“The ongoing teacher shortage is affecting our children but allowing retired teachers to bring their expertise back to the classroom for longer would help students thrive,” Harris said. 

Senate Bill 3201 allows retired teachers to return to the classroom for 150 days or 750 paid hours. Currently, retired teachers are only allowed back in the classroom 120 days per year.  

THORNTON – Hoping that local students will take advantage of resources at their local library, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III announced the Thornton Public Library District is set to receive $14,000 from the Project Next Generation grant.

“Keeping our students in learning atmospheres and not on the streets will help change the trajectory of their lives,” Harris said. “I strongly support supplying our local libraries with funding to create new resources that engage our students.”

Thornton Public Library District will receive $14,000 in PNG grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

The secretary of state awarded $530,104 in 2021 PNG grants to 28 public libraries statewide. Grants are awarded to libraries that serve culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations.

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois movies toward a more equitable environment, State Senator Napoleon Harris III’s (D-Harvey) effort to encourage Amtrak to submit procurement goals for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises was signed into law on Friday.

“Amtrak is a billion dollar transportation corporation and should be helping lead the charge in increasing diversity in Illinois contracting,” Harris said. “Everyone should have a shot at obtaining a public contract, and all industries should be pushing for equity to ensure Illinois become the one most equitable states in our nation.”

SPRINGFIELD - Insurance companies will be required to offer working families a flat-dollar copay plan for drug-related benefits because of a law sponsored by State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey). 

“A fixed out-of-pocket amount will be better for those families who have smaller budgets and need consistency,” Harris said. “I strongly believe this will be beneficial for our working families in Illinois, as it will give them the option to budget their medical expenses more easily.”

SPRINGFIELD – Telehealth services will be expanded and adopted across Illinois – with a focus on disadvantaged communities – because of a law sponsored by State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey).

“Telehealth will not only help patients but doctors as well,” Harris said. “Now appointments can be more efficient when in-person visits are not needed, and disproportionately impacted community members will have access to these services, which were not equitably provided throughout the pandemic.”

This law will prohibit insurers that cover telehealth services from creating restrictions or requirements for these services. Instead, they will be treated the same as an in-person health visits for physical symptoms.

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois now allows student-athletes to be paid for the use of their names, image, or likenesses because of ex-NFL and Northwestern University alum State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey).

“Finally student-athletes will receive some financial benefit for the use of their names, images, and likenesses,” Harris said. “Their schools will no longer receive all the financial benefits. The students deserve compensation from the hard work of being a college athlete and making their schools millions of dollars.”  

SPRINGFIELD – As an ex-college player and advocate for student-athletes, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) is nearing victory in his fight to allow Illinois student-athletes to receive compensation from their use names, images, or likenesses who attend Illinois colleges and universities.  

"These student athletes shed their blood, sweat, and tears to play college sports,” Harris said. "Their schools' benefit off their talent by selling clothing, rights to use their images in video games and more. The kids deserve to get financial benefit, too especially at powerhouse universities who generate millions of dollars."