Collins birth equity initiative aims to reduce maternal mortality

SPRINGFIELD — As disparities in maternal mortality rates continue to alarm health care professionals and soon-to-be mothers across the state, State Senator Lakesia Collins passed a measure to expand coverage for pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care provided by doulas and midwives.

“Why should mothers have to make the decision between paying their rent, mortgage or car loan, and making sure they and their baby are healthy?” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Women should not have their health decisions limited by whether or not they can afford care. This initiative will impact many women in the state by eliminating the cost-sharing requirements for this care, and end up saving lives.”

Read more.

Castro protects Illinois workers, whistleblowers from workplace retaliation

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois workers could soon be protected by stronger workplace anti-retaliation measures, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“Workers across our state deserve safety and protection on the job,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “When an employee raises the alarm about something like a workplace hazard, we need to make sure laws are in place to safeguard them from retaliation. No one should be punished for speaking up to make working conditions safer for everyone.”

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Cervantes initiative to make gym subscriptions easier to cancel passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Javier Cervantes is making it easier to cancel unwanted gym memberships thanks to legislation that he passed through the Senate to streamline how people can cancel a contract.

“Giving consumers simple and efficient methods to cancel their subscription or contract helps ensure they don’t fall victim to confusing subscription services that automatically renew payments for services they no longer use,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This legislation will simply update business practices to fit with modern times.”

Read more.

Delays reduced in childcare employment process under Loughran Cappel measure

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel championed a measure that will address background check delays at childcare facilities across Illinois.

“Illinois has been committed to setting kids up to be lifelong learners, giving youth a quality education at an early age,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We can’t do that when background checks are taking so long. We are losing qualified early education teachers.”

Read more.

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Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

SPRINGFIELD — An economic growth package containing incentives for cutting-edge technology and clean energy manufacturing connected with the creation of new jobs in cities like Rockford cleared the Senate Sunday, thanks to State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“Thanks to the REV incentive program, Stellantis is investing nearly $5 billion in the 34^th District, leading to thousands of new jobs in the Belvidere community,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This package will expand on these incentive programs and update our business development tools to make sure Illinois remains competitive for jobs and new capital investment.”

SPRINGFIELD — Despite making up only 2% of Chicago’s population, Black women and girls account for about 30% of the city’s missing persons cases — an alarming disparity that remains the key focus of the Task Force for Missing and Murdered Chicago Women. To support ongoing efforts to address this issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter passed a bill through the Senate on Sunday that would add two seats to the task force for Chicago police officers.

“The number of missing Black women and girls — and families left without answers — is unacceptable,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Chicago police officers’ firsthand experience with these cases, paired with improved data practices, will be instrumental in finding these women and ensuring justice is served.”

Senate Democrats prioritize education, public safety and more in FY 25 budget

Building upon the responsible spending decisions the Illinois Senate Democratic caucus made and balanced budgets they’ve passed in recent years, they passed a smart spending plan Sunday to make Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I set a goal that our budget would serve the best interests of the people of Illinois," said Senate Majority Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). "By promoting economic growth, supporting education, ensuring public safety and enhancing the overall well-being of our communities, we will build a stronger, more prosperous and more equitable future for all residents of our great state.

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget represents a number of shared priorities of the caucus, including investing in educating children, protecting our state’s most vulnerable, keeping communities safe, and modernizing our infrastructure.

Highlights include:

Fiscal Responsibility – 6th balanced budget

• This budget builds on five years of historic fiscal progress with balanced budgets, nine credit rating upgrades, the elimination of the bill backlog, and more.
• Alongside the smart spending decisions of the previous fiscal years, the budget continues to pay down our bills, invest more money into retirees through fully funding pensions, and save for the future.

Early Childhood Education

• $14 million to launch the Department of Early Childhood – a new agency to focus on administering early childhood education programs
• An additional $75 million will be sent to the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant – putting in place 5,000 more slots in preschool deserts
• $36.5 million to support higher participation in the Child Care Assistance Program

K-12 Education

• Continues the commitment of a $350 million increase toward the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education
  • The state will topple $2 billion toward the evidence-based funding model since its inception with this investment
• $10.3 million increase for Career and Technical Education programs
• $3 million for State Literacy Plan Implementation – a roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide
• $45 million for the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program

Higher Education

• $700 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) funding
  • In Fiscal Year 2025, a projected 146,000 students could benefit from MAP Grants – up from 126,864 in 2019
• $8 million for the Minority Teacher Scholarship Program

Violence Prevention and Public Safety

• Funding to hire and train 200 new state troopers – a total of two new cadet classes
• $200 million to the Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) program
• $45 million to build up the Reimagine Public Safety grant program
• $200 million to enhance after-school and summer youth programs

Health and Human Services

• $290 million for HOME Illinois
• $2.4 billion for services for people with developmental disabilities, including a $1 per hour wage increase for Direct Support Professionals
• $155 million for safety net hospitals
• $50 million for a child tax credit for eligible low-income families with EITC

Senate Democrats honor fallen service members on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus honor the men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and lost their lives in the line of duty.

“As an Army veteran who was deployed in Iraq during one of the deadliest periods of the conflict, Memorial Day makes me very emotional,” said State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). “In those situations, you form incredible connections with your fellow soldiers. Those friendships were the best part of my experience in the military, and it is devastating that some of those people were there one moment and gone the next. I spend Memorial Day honoring those who served with me who lost their lives defending our country, and commit to supporting veterans returning home.”

To observe the holiday and remember the lives of outstanding service members in their districts, several members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus spoke during session about their experiences in the armed forces, and to recognize loved ones who were tragically killed in action.

“Too often, we remember those who were killed in action as larger-than-life heroes who are far removed from us, and we forget they were also people with hopes, dreams, and a love for our country,” said State Senator Mike Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a Navy veteran. “These individuals had hobbies, interests and career aspirations just like us. This Memorial Day, I want to honor my friends who made the ultimate sacrifice by sharing stories of our great times together, celebrating them not only for their heroic contributions but also for the multifaceted people they were.”

Members are sending to support to loved ones of those killed in the line of duty, and expand their efforts to address their needs.

“Memorial Day is also a time to recognize the grief and perseverance of the families and loved ones of our military members who are often overlooked,” said State Senator Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), who is a Vietnam veteran and the newest member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. “It is important to acknowledge their pain and work to alleviate the unique struggles they may face as the surviving spouse or child of a service member who was killed in action. I am thinking of these brave Illinoisans today, and hope they are able to find some peace after their immeasurable loss.”

To hear more from Porfirio and Hastings about the importance of Memorial Day to them and their legislative work to assist veterans, check out this recent episode of the Illinois Senate Democrats’ podcast, the Sound of the State, here.

Copyright 2024 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

On Memorial Day, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus honor the men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and lost their lives in the line of duty.

“As an Army veteran who was deployed in Iraq during one of the deadliest periods of the conflict, Memorial Day makes me very emotional,” said State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). “In those situations, you form incredible connections with your fellow soldiers. Those friendships were the best part of my experience in the military, and it is devastating that some of those people were there one moment and gone the next. I spend Memorial Day honoring those who served with me who lost their lives defending our country, and commit to supporting veterans returning home.”

To observe the holiday and remember the lives of outstanding service members in their districts, several members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus spoke during session about their experiences in the armed forces, and to recognize loved ones who were tragically killed in action.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva passed a measure to preserve lifesaving reproductive health care as anti-choice action threatens to infringe on people’s rights.

“It is imperative that Illinois continues to shield itself against these persistent anti-choice attacks,” said Villanueva (D – Chicago). “This pending Supreme Court ruling threatens access to vital life-saving care for women throughout Illinois and beyond by limiting medically necessary services.”

House Bill 581 would protect Illinois patients from another likely Supreme Court rollback of reproductive rights by ensuring Illinois hospitals must provide any medically necessary services—including abortion services—to stabilize a patient at risk of severe injury or death. 

SPRINGFIELD – Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget:

“In keeping with our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility, we have approved a budget that is balanced, responsible and invests in people in all corners of our state.

“As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I set a goal that our budget would serve the best interests of the people of Illinois. By promoting economic growth, supporting education, ensuring public safety and enhancing the overall well-being of our communities, we will build a stronger, more prosperous and more equitable future for all residents of our great state.

“This budget reflects our shared values and our commitment to making Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to have led a stable budget that addresses our current needs.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Ram Villivalam helped lead a measure that makes changes to the Prisoner Review Board to further their training and resources when reviewing parole release decisions.

“It is imperative that we prioritize the safety of our communities while also making sure that individuals who are set to be released have been fully rehabilitated,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “By addressing necessary changes to the Prisoner Review Board, we are only ensuring that the system works for everyone as a whole.”

In response to a domestic violence incident that occurred after the Prisoner Review Board released a man on parole, the measure helps ensure the safety and attention to detail in regards to cases of domestic and gender-based violence.