SPRINGFIELD –To ensure state operations are prioritizing environmental sustainability and not contributing to degradation, State Senator Laura Fine is leading an initiative to limit the consumption of single-use plastic foodware by state agencies over the next year.

“We need to be more conscious of how we use and dispose of single-use plastics and the impact they have on our environment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Illinois state agencies should be the role model of transitioning to sustainable, environmentally-friendly foodware.”

SPRINGFIELD –Cosigners to private student loans may find themselves in a difficult financial position if they are unaware the student they signed for is behind on his or her payments.  These cosigners will be better protected under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine. Under this bill, they will be alerted if student borrowers are not paying off their loan and will have more options before incurring the borrower’s debt.

“Cosigning a student loan may seem like a formality, but can quickly become a massive financial responsibility,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “By requiring more transparency between the primary borrower and cosigner on the borrower’s ability to pay throughout the life of the loan, cosigners will have more options if the student falls behind on payments.”

Before this initiative, private education loan lenders were not required to update the cosigners on the borrower’s progress repaying the loan. This led many cosigners to be blindsided by the sudden financial responsibility of paying off the borrower’s debt, as well as the negative impact of the loan on their own credit score and limited refinancing options.

SPRINGFIELD – To help libraries have an easier time acquiring e-book and audiobook licenses, State Senator Laura Murphy passed legislation through the Senate Thursday.

“There is a demand for e-books and audiobooks, but more often than not the prices set by publishers is prohibitively expensive, restrictive or simply not available,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “With the State Librarian negotiating on behalf of libraries, it is my hope that the process of acquiring licenses will become easier.”

The measure would allow the Secretary of State, acting as the State Librarian, to negotiate with publishers of e-books and audiobooks on behalf of libraries to get necessary licensure of the product. Additionally, it would establish a grant program to provide funds to libraries and library districts to pay for digital licenses.

Consumption of digital books has been on the rise for more than a decade. According to Pew, checkout rates of e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines exceeded half a billion in 2021. However, publishers can set expiration dates on their licenses, limit the number of times an e-book can be borrowed or refuse them altogether.

“It is my hope that a proactive approach will allow our libraries greater access to these e-books and audiobooks,” Murphy said. “Libraries provide an invaluable service to our communities. It is time they get the help they need to fully provide this popular service.”

Senate Bill 2419 passed the Senate and now heads to the House for further deliberation.

SPRINGFIELD – To study a potential payment plan program for owner-occupants to repay delinquent property taxes, State Senator Robert Peters passed a measure that would create the Property Tax Payment Plan Task Force.

“Homeownership is a symbol of social mobility in addition to being a source of equity,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “When greedy investors take advantage of homeowners who are behind on property tax payments, they aren’t just damaging the homeowner and their family, but also the generations after them.”

SPRINGFIELD – After Illinois enacted a law in 2021 to stop pet stores from selling pets from unscrupulous breeders, some of those establishments chose to skirt that law with a loophole. State Senator Linda Holmes passed a new piece of legislation on Thursday to close the loophole and protect pet lovers from overpriced puppies that are often bred in inhumane conditions.

“Apparently the shady breeders who spent millions of dollars lobbying to stop our efforts in 2021 wanted to continue their practices,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “Many of my colleagues and I, as well as animal welfare supporters statewide, believe pets suffer and often don’t survive the greed and inhumane care this process is known for.”

Senate Bill 1230 changes the definitions of “dog dealer” and “animal shelter” to not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public – which means selling companion animals at brick-and-mortar establishments that were obtained from breeders or brokers for compensation and not bred on its premises. This closes the loophole pet shop operators use to avoid obtaining dogs from animal shelters and instead from breeders.

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the current archaic testing and promotion procedure for Chicago firefighters, State Senator Willie Preston passed a measure today to streamline the process and ensure a more equitable system.

“The brave firemen and women of Chicago risk their lives to protect their community every day,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “I’m happy to give back to those who serve by improving this tedious process.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s legislation creating the Rock Island Regional Port District passed the Senate on Thursday.

"There’s nothing more rewarding than passing legislation that helps our local community," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "This legislation is another tool for economic growth in the City of Rock Island."

The establishment of the Rock Island Regional Port District aligns with the goal of encouraging the use of waterways to efficiently transport goods and provide for economies of scale. The Port District will also boost recreation and tourism activities along the river. The Rock Island Regional Port District will be the twentieth public port district in Illinois, joining the likes of the Waukegan Port District and the Illinois International Port District.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s proposed pilot program to provide first responders with 8-milligram naloxone kits to prevent overdose from opioids passed the Senate on March 23 —making it one step closer to becoming law.

“Increasing the dosage of naloxone will allow medical professionals more time to save lives,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This is the best next step to preventing more devastation and loss of life due to opioid and drug addiction in our communities.”

In 2021, more than 3,000 people in Illinois died from an opioid overdose. Although emergency medical providers have access to 4-milligram naloxone nasal spray kits, that isn’t always strong enough to reverse an overdose.