SPRINGFIELD — State oversight authorities could soon have clarity in order to hold financial institutions accountable for deceptive practices under legislation sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“Throughout my career, I have prioritized strengthening corporate and consumer transparency,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Taking on the financial sector is the next step to continue fostering a fair and equitable business environment in Chicago and throughout the state.”

Feigenholtz’s measure seeks to modernize the law regulating entities like credit unions, currency exchanges, pawnbrokers, collection agencies and payday lenders in Illinois. The legislation would provide the Division of Financial Institutions at the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with more substantial enforcement authority so the agency can investigate complaints against the entities it licenses.

SPRINGFIELD – E-cigarette use is rising dramatically among Illinois teens – with the newest culprit of the epidemic being vapes that look like highlighters, markers and other school supplies.

During a press conference Thursday, State Senators Julie Morrison and Meg Loughran Cappel outlined their proposals to curb the youth vaping epidemic.

“The dangerous and addictive nature of nicotine consumption is the reason I have taken a strong stand on this issue,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We should do everything in our power to make it impossible for children to obtain and conceal tobacco products.”

State Senator Dave Koehler joined the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and rural farmers today to discuss his latest measure, Senate Bill 3077, which would strengthen local food production and distribution.

“We should be supporting our farmers here in Illinois rather than purchasing products across the country,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Farming is more than just sticking a seed in the ground. You must also have the infrastructure to be able to harvest and process food for people.”

Senate Bill 3077 would create the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. This measure would require the Illinois Department of Agriculture to amplify local food processing, collection and distribution within the state through grants. Eligible applicants would include farms, co-ops, process facilities, food businesses and hubs with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois nonprofit organizations and local governments.

Koehler, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and farmers rallied behind the measure, highlighting the importance of having locally sourced food in stores and the impact it would have on the economy.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to bring equity to funding for special education students, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Education Committee that would create a fair reimbursement rate for special education day schools.

“Since I became a state senator, I’ve been working to level the playing field to ensure our students get a quality education in the least restrictive environment,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “We have to ensure every child receives the education they deserve, no matter their ZIP code.”

Senate Bill 3606 would equalize the reimbursement rate received by public school districts from the Illinois State Board of Education when sending high-needs special education students to private and public special education day schools.

Under Loughran Cappel’s measure, public schools would be eligible to receive a reimbursement from ISBE for tuition costs for high-needs special education students that exceed the average cost for students not receiving special education services.

“Special education schools prioritize students by giving them the resources and tools they need to thrive,” said Loughran Cappel. “Some students have additional needs, which increase the costs for the school. This is an effort to achieve equitable funding for our special needs students across the state.”

Senate Bill 3606 passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman is leading a measure to protect election workers from threats and harassment.

“Election workers are the backbone of our democracy,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “People working for elections should be able to perform their job without the threat of violence or harassment.”

Senate Bill 2932 would prohibit people from intimidating or threatening an election worker with the intent to interfere with their election-related duties. A person who violates these provisions would be guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine of up to $1,000. According to the Brennan Center, nearly one in three election officials have been harassed, abused, or threatened because of their job.

“Election workers play a crucial role in protecting the integrity of our democratic process,” said Stadelman. “We must do what we can to safeguard the rights of election workers and ensure they can perform their jobs without interference.”

Senate Bill 2932 was assigned to the Senate Subcommittee on Elections.

AURORA – Members of the community interested in applying for U.S. Citizenship are invited to attend the upcoming Citizenship Workshop hosted by State Senator Karina Villa.

“Coming from a family of immigrants, I witnessed first-hand the plight of seeking citizenship,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “I am honored to provide members of our community a greater opportunity to fulfil, what is for many, a lifelong dream.”

The Citizenship Workshop is in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights under the New Americans Initiative and Family Focus - Aurora. The event is co-hosted by the offices of State Representative Barbara Hernandez and Aurora Alderwoman Juany Garza.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church - Simard Hall, located at 769 Fulton St. in Aurora. Individuals eligible for citizenship are strongly encouraged to attend.

Senate Democrats outline measures to enhance water quality, protect public health

SPRINGFIELD – Access to clean drinking water is often taken for granted. In reality, a number of chemicals and bacteria are tainting water across the state. Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are leading a number of measures to enhance water quality – calling it “the year of water.”

State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) – who chairs the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee – kicked off a press conference on water quality by outlining her plan to identify critical water issues throughout the state.

Read more.

Senate Democrats outline measures to increase food accessibility

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus are working to increase food accessibility in both the community and schools.

State Senators Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and Doris Turner (D-Springfield) are fighting for legislation to bolster local food economies and uplift farmers, all while tackling food deserts.

Read more.

Lightford passes measure to create new early childhood agency

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a measure to create a new state agency – the Department of Early Childhood – to streamline the administration of early childhood education care programs and services.

“The foundation of a child’s success and well-being is built starting the moment they are born,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “As a state, it is our duty to provide the necessary support and resources to build such stability. The creation of this unique agency will break ground on our transition to a whole, trauma-informed approach to meeting children’s diverse needs.”

Read more.

Sound of the State: New training for first responders

State Senator Julie Morrison joins the Sound of the State to talk about her legislation to provide training for first responders and awareness to the public about the health information apps on many cell phones that could provide better response in emergencies.

Listen here.

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KANKAKEE – In order to allow all Illinois residents to have access to high-speed internet, State Senator Patrick Joyce has played an essential role in ensuring federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is being used efficiently.

“Access to high-speed internet isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity in today’s digital age,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “From education to health care to economic opportunities, reliable internet access is vital for all communities to have, even rural areas.”

The Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 included $42.45 billion for the BEAD Program in an effort to connect all U.S. households, small businesses and community anchor institutions to high-speed internet. Around $1 billion in BEAD funding has been allocated to Illinois to provide internet access to the approximately 230,000 entities in the state that cannot get access to at least 100/20 Mbps service or 1/1 Gbps service.