A measure giving crime survivors a new voice in public safety policy making spearheaded by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) was recently signed into law.

“I fundamentally believe that public safety must belong to the people,” Peters said. “This law will center crime survivors and put them at the center of the conversation without fear of repercussion.”

The new law will invest in community-centered public safety by creating a Crime Reduction Task Force to develop and propose ways to reduce crime across the state. The Crime Reduction Task Force will be made up of a bipartisan group of senators and representatives, alongside law enforcement, advocates, legal and criminal justice professionals and survivors of crime.

Under this new law, formerly known as HB 4736, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority will establish a grant program open to organizations and units of local government to assist in the creation of anonymous tip hotlines or other systems to crime victims and witnesses. Additionally, this measure makes improvements to the state’s existing witness protection, which requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to create a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of certain crimes. The measure would also establish a co-responder pilot program.

“Everyone in every zip code should feel comfortable being able to walk down the street,” Peters said. “No matter where you are, who you are or where you live you should deserve to feel comfortable and safe. This measure does that by expanding witness protection and by incorporating the voices and needs of stakeholders and survivors.”

The measure was signed into law Tuesday and takes effect immediately.

WEST CHICAGO – Eighty-one businesses across the 25^th District have received a total of $4,145,000 through the Back to Business program thanks to support from State Senator Karina Villa and the General Assembly.

“Our small businesses fought through the darkest days of the pandemic, and now they’re looking to rebuild and move forward,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “I am pleased to see them receive this well-deserved support as they begin to do so.”

The $4,145,000 was awarded to 81 local businesses. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings is excited to announce that the Village of Frankfort is set to receive nearly $25,000 to preserve the intensive history of its downtown area.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) was pleased to find out that Frankfort is one of five state historic sites that are will receive funding for historic preservation projects through the National Park Services’ Historic Preservation Fund on Friday.

“These vital dollars will help the Village of Frankfort preserve and showcase the beautiful history of the South Suburbs,” Hastings said. “I look forward to seeing the great work the village does.”

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – Lake County received $30 million for long-awaited projects to reduce and manage stormwater flooding issues, thanks to the support of Senators Julie Morrison, Adriane Johnson and Melinda Bush.

“Stormwater runoff can be a burden that hinders public safety and harms our environment,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Thanks to Governor Pritzker and DCEO, this $30 million investment will improve Lake County’s stormwater management and help reduce flooding throughout the region.”

FRANKFORT – More than 100 businesses in the 19^th District were awarded over $4 million in funding from the Back to Business program thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) worked tirelessly to advocate and support local businesses in the South Suburbs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Our local businesses have fought through extremely difficult times to keep their doors open and support our communities,” Hastings said. “These vital dollars will help provide businesses with financial assistance to help them keep their lights on.”

A total of $4.03 million was awarded to more than 100 businesses in the 19^th District. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

DCEO has provided $250 million in B2B grants – thanks to strong support from Hastings – to small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on hard hit sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, barbershops and salons, and disproportionately impacted areas.

“Local businesses support our communities in endless ways,” Hastings said. “Let’s show our local businesses we have their back as well. I urge residents to continue to shop, dine and think local.”

With strong leadership from Hastings, the state has seen six Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from all three of the nation’s primary credit rating agencies. The latest two-notch upgrades come as a result of the state paying down its bill backlog from over $16 billion to less than $3 billion in a course of just a few years.

Due to fiscal responsibility, the state saw an increase in funds available to assist small businesses.

Hastings urges businesses across the 19^th District to visit the DCEO website for additional resources or contact DCEO’s First Stop Business Information Center Services at 800-252-2923 or email ceo.firststop@illinois.gov.

SPRINGFIELD– State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after the measure she supported banning public high schools from withholding transcripts and diplomas due to unpaid balances on a student’s account became law Friday:

“The value of our students should not be determined by the money they owe to their institutions, which is exactly what the practice of withholding students’ records due to an unpaid balance would suggest. Students are deserving of the documentation that shows they have completed their established requisites, and not having access to these records can interrupt a student’s learning path by blocking opportunities to higher education and job entry.”

“These kinds of insidious practices often occur without any state or federal mandate and primarily affect low-income and underserved students who struggle to pay these debts because of financial instability, making this an issue of equity. Continuing to allow a person’s pursuit of a stable future to be derailed by these expenses, which can be as low as $25, would be a great disservice to students, institutions and local economies alike.”

With this new law that took effect immediately, Illinois joins the ranks of few states, including California, Washington and Louisiana, taking a firm stance against barriers inhibiting students’ journeys toward success and personal security.

Springfield - A new measure to provide greater support for  law enforcement agencies and lower the police retirement age championed  by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) became law.

“I am proud to see this new law provide additional support to recruit the next generation of police officers,” Martwick said. “We are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state.”

CHICAGO – More than 200 businesses on the city’s Westside have received over $11 million in Back to Business grants thanks to support from State Senator Patricia Van Pelt.

“Our small business owners give us so much, and I jump at every opportunity I have to support their businesses,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “Times are hard, and entrepreneurs need as much support as they can get.”

A total of $250 million was awarded to 6,500 businesses throughout the state. The B2B grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget.

More than 60% of awards were given to businesses located in Disproportionately Impacted Areas, and 61% of awards granted to hard-hit industries, including restaurants and taverns, hotels, arts organizations, and salons.

Businesses owned by people of color were the recipients of half of the grants, including 22% of grants to Asian American or Pacific Islander-owned businesses, 15% to Black-owned businesses, and 12% to Latinx-owned businesses.

“I am happy that so many business owners of color and those located in disproportionately impacted areas were grant recipients,” Van Pelt said. “So many different kinds of businesses needed assistance, and I know how much they will benefit from these grants.”

With strong leadership from Senator Van Pelt, the state has seen six Illinois’ General Obligation bond rating upgrades in the last year from three major credit rating agencies, allowing the state to have funds available to assist small businesses.