Caucus News

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick’s measure to extend the highly successful Accelerated Pension Benefit Program has passed.

“Public employees dedicate years of service to our communities and programs like the Accelerated Pension Benefit Program help provide additional retirement planning tools and stability,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Continuing the program reflects a commitment to honoring workers while responsibly managing pension obligations.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick has advanced a measure to extend the highly successful Accelerated Pension Benefit Program.

“By extending the Accelerated Pension Benefit Program, we are honoring public workers and strengthening the long-term stability of the pension system,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “The program is a practical approach that benefits public employees and taxpayers alike.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick’s legislation that would require students be graded by teachers and not artificial intelligence has passed.

“Decisions about grading and student assessment require oversight and fairness from trained professionals, not large language models prone to hallucination and implicit bias,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We are in a new world where AI is trying to creep into every aspect of our lives. It is vital to place guardrails for our children to ensure they are protected in educational settings.”

Senate Bill 416 would prohibit teachers from using artificial intelligence to grade a student’s work. It also requires that any other use of AI in a classroom setting be approved by the school board.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick has advanced legislation that would require students be graded by teachers and not artificial intelligence.

“We are navigating a new frontier of artificial intelligence,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “It is incumbent on us to ensure that there are guardrails to ensure the people of Illinois have baseline consumer protections and privacy they deserve in a rapidly changing environment. It is essential for us to provide protections to students in educational settings.”

Senate Bill 416 would prohibit teachers from using artificial intelligence to grade a student’s work. It requires that any other use of AI in a classroom setting be approved by the schoolboard.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick passed a measure that would automatically enroll new Chicago police officers, firefighters and municipal employees into deferred compensation retirement savings.

“The best time you can start saving for retirement is yesterday, but the second best time is today,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “By ensuring new employees are automatically enrolled in a deferred compensation plan, we can take the guesswork out of figuring out when, or even how, to start saving for that future.”

Under the legislation, any person who is hired as a Chicago city employee – whether fire, police or municipal – after Jan. 1, 2027 would be automatically enrolled into an eligible deferred compensation plan that the municipality has established for its employees.  These plans would be in addition to the employee’s pension in an effort to supplement the retirement funds of individuals with Tier 2 pensions.

SPRINGFIELD — Chicago homeowners who pay into home equity assurance programs will soon be able to use their tax dollars to protect their home from flooding, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“Flooding in Chicago has been getting worse each year, posing a significant threat to homeowners, especially when their insurance won’t cover the steep costs associated with restoration after a flood,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Allowing home equity assurance programs to provide financial relief is a crucial step in terms of giving back to the communities that they serve.”

SPRINGFIELD — Chicago homeowners who pay into home equity assurance programs could soon see their tax dollars put to better use through increased access to home repair, thanks to a measure passed by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“Our communities have faced unprecedented flooding in the past few years, and insurance will not always cover the damage,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “By returning the funds to the people who need it most we improve the health and welfare of our neighborhoods.”

Illinois first allowed the creation of home equity assurance programs — or HEAPs — in 1987 with the goal of preserving the value of a resident’s property. The programs are funded through property taxes collected from homeowners in the HEAP district, who can enroll in the program by paying for an appraisal of their home. In return, they receive the guarantee that if they own the home for five years, they will not lose money when they sell the home if the market value has dropped.

SPRINGFIELD — Chicago homeowners who pay into home equity assurance programs could soon see their tax dollars put to better use through increased access to home repair, thanks to a measure presented by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“This bill allows home equity programs to serve their communities — communities that need aid after the unprecedented flooding we’ve experienced in the past few years,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Members pay into their programs for years, and it’s time we ensure they benefit.”

Illinois first allowed the creation of home equity assurance programs — or HEAPs — in 1987 with the goal of preserving the value of a resident’s property. The programs are funded through property taxes collected from homeowners in the HEAP district, who can enroll in the program by paying for an appraisal of their home. In return, they receive the guarantee that if they own the home for five years, they will not lose money when they sell their homes if the market value has dropped.