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Senate Democrats pass legislation to protect all communities

Details
Category: Member News
Thursday, April 14, 2022 10:07 AM
  • Budget
  • Aquino
  • Peters
  • HB900
  • Martwick
  • Public Safety
  • Carjacking
  • HB1091
  • HB4736
  • HB3863
  • HB3772
  • HB3699
  • Crime Reduction Task Force

Sen. Robert Peters

SPRINGFIELD – Receiving strong bipartisan support for many of its proposals, the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed over a dozen public safety measures and allocated more than $500 million toward the efforts during the spring legislative session, pegged as their Protecting All Communities plan.

“Everyone in every ZIP code should feel comfortable being able to walk down the street,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “No matter where you are, or who you are or where you live you should deserve to feel comfortable and safe.”

Peters is a strong advocate of finding the root cause of rising crime rates. The Crime Reduction Task Force – which will be created under his House Bill 4736 – will be made up of a bipartisan group of legislators, law enforcement and legal and criminal justice professionals, as well as crime victims and witnesses. The task force will develop a plan of action to reduce crime across the state and report its findings to the General Assembly and the governor.

Read more: Senate Democrats pass legislation to protect all communities

June 12 declared Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois

Details
Category: Member News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 02:58 PM
  • Veterans
  • Women's Caucus
  • Women's Veterans Day
  • HJR 64

women vets flag 041322

 

SPRINGFIELD – To recognize the critical role of women in U.S. Armed Forces, State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), co-chairs of the Senate Women’s Caucus, are sponsoring a resolution to declare June 12 as Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois.

“Women have sacrificed much for our nation while serving at home and abroad,” Gillespie said. “We are grateful for their service and honor the contributions of the over two million women veterans who have served our country.”

House Joint Resolution 64 declares June 12, 2022, as Women’s Veterans Day and pays homage to the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which formally allowed women to serve as regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The act was signed by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948.

Read more: June 12 declared Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois

Hastings champions bipartisan relief package to assist Illinois families

Details
Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 02:21 PM
  • Hastings
  • Taxes
  • Financial Assistance
  • SB 157

Senator Hastings

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings shepherded a bipartisan relief package to assist and provide financial assistance to all Illinoisans. 

Hastings (D-Frankfort) sponsored Senate Bill 157, a comprehensive revenue package to provide tax relief to families throughout the state.

“We are slowly recovering from the most severe public health crisis that our state, country and the world has seen in the last century,” Hastings said. “These vital tax dollars belong in the hands of Illinois families. This measure prioritizes families by giving them the much needed and deserved relief they’ve been longing for.”

Read more: Hastings champions bipartisan relief package to assist Illinois families

Connor supports legislation related to highway camera updates

Details
Category: Senator John Connor News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 01:07 PM
  • Law Enforcement
  • Connor
  • Expressway Cameras
  • HB 260

Senator Connor

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senate John Connor (D-Lockport) was a chief sponsor on two recent measures to provide law enforcement with better technological tools to solve crime.

“I have been an advocate for better tech tools for law enforcement since before I entered the legislature.  Expecting better results from law enforcement while not providing them with 21st century tools is not a formula for success.  Highway cameras can help not just with highway shootings but with many other dangerous crimes where the perpetrators travel to and from the crime on our highways,” said Connor. “By giving local law enforcement wider access to camera technology that’s already in existence, we are giving them better tools in the toolbox to build cases and make arrests.” 

Senator Connor was a chief co-sponsor on House Bill 260, which allows more municipal law enforcement agencies to use images from expressway cameras to investigate shootings, carjackings, terrorism and forcible felonies. The measure would require the agencies to create a webpage with details about the program objectives and counties where the program is operational.

Read more: Connor supports legislation related to highway camera updates

Correctional officers, deputies get a victory under Cunningham measure

Details
Category: Senator Bill Cunningham News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 09:56 AM
  • Cunningham
  • Correctional Officers
  • Secondary Employment
  • HB 4667
  • Deputy Sheriffs

Senator Cunningham

 

SPRINGFIELD – To help correctional officers and deputy sheriffs utilize their training for secondary employment, State Senator Bill Cunningham passed a measure through the Illinois Senate that would allow correctional officers and deputy sheriffs to carry a firearm off duty.

“Our law enforcement officers are overworked and underpaid,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “The ability to utilize peace officer training in secondary employment will help them financially and protect businesses in our community.”

Read more: Correctional officers, deputies get a victory under Cunningham measure

Streamlined application process for cannabis workers passes Senate thanks to Senator Castro

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 09:50 AM
  • Employees
  • Castro
  • Cannabis Dispensary
  • HB 2380

Senator Castro

 

SPRINGFIELD – As the cannabis industry continues to grow in Illinois, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) has championed a measure to ensure prospective employees at dispensary or cultivation centers have an equitable application process.

“The cannabis industry has provided a boost to the Illinois economy,” Castro said. “Streamlining the process for people to get involved in this business will ensure a more equitable, diverse workforce and bring multiple cannabis laws on the books in line with each other.”

Currently, individuals who wish to work for a cannabis dispensary or cultivation center are subject to two different application processes – one for medical and one for adult-use. However, practically speaking most medical dispensaries also serve adult use cannabis.  House Bill 2380 streamlines the process for prospective dispensary and cultivation center employees to receive their identification cards by consolidating the application process.

Read more: Streamlined application process for cannabis workers passes Senate thanks to Senator Castro

Murphy tackles rising crime rates, supports funding for expressway cameras

Details
Category: Senator Laura Murphy News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 09:46 AM
  • Law Enforcement
  • Murphy
  • Expressway Cameras
  • HB 4481

Senator Murphy

 

SPRINGFIELD – More counties across the state may soon have access to funding for expressway cameras, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“Crimes on expressways are not exclusive to Cook County,” Murphy said. “If we want to prioritize public safety, we need to make sure Illinoisans in all parts of the state have access to the best crime deterring technology—expressway cameras assist the police as they investigate crimes on the road.”

Cameras are an important resource for law enforcement to investigate crimes that occur on the road. Under current law, the Illinois Department of Transportation must use revenue from the Road Fund to fund any cameras on expressways under their jurisdiction. Murphy’s House Bill 4481 would expand the funds available for cameras by including expressways under the Illinois Tollway Authority’s jurisdiction. The Tollway must include funds intended for cameras in their annual budget request.

Read more: Murphy tackles rising crime rates, supports funding for expressway cameras

Collins: Violence reduction must thrive in tandem with housing stability initiatives

Details
Category: Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins News
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 09:25 AM
  • J.Collins
  • Public Safety
  • Black Communities
  • FY2023 Budget

Senator Collins

 

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the confirmation of the state’s budget for fiscal year 2023, State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) issued the following statement:

“This year’s budget effectively demonstrates a commitment to reducing the violence in our neighborhoods and making meaningful reform to our systems for the purpose of correcting general disparities and discrimination. With significant allocations to the Reimagine Public Safety Act and funding for law enforcement training, license plate readers and body cameras, we will grow closer to a more equitable and stability-inducing state.”

Read more: Collins: Violence reduction must thrive in tandem with housing stability initiatives

More Articles …

  1. Gillespie expands Medicaid services, cuts red tape for re-enrollment
  2. Hunter’s CROWN Act moves to governor’s desk
  3. The Majority Report 04/12/22 - Over 95% of taxpayers to see relief
  4. Collins echoes Biden’s call to crack down on ghost guns
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