SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) to end hair discrimination in the workplace passed the Senate Wednesday.

“No one should have to miss out on a job opportunity or miss a school graduation because of the hair that grows naturally out of their head,” Hunter said. “It’s 2022. As a nation, we should be past this petty discrimination.”

Senate Bill 3616 – also known as the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act – amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to provide that the term “race” includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists.

A recent study from Dove uncovered that 80% of African American women felt they needed to switch their hairstyle to align with more conservative workplace standards in order to fit in.

Springfield- Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services are one step closer to receiving the financial resources they need to be ready for adulthood thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago).

“I’m pleased that we are one step closer to ensuring that the state will be proactive at helping youth in care build a strong future during their final years of care,” Peters said. “We need to do all we can to ensure that they have access to a financial head start before they have to live on their own.”

Senate Bill 3470 would require DCFS to save or invest a minimum percentage of a youth's benefits once they reach the age of 14. This will ensure that when DCFS no longer serves as the financial representative of the youth, they will have some money to help them transition into a successful adult life.

DANVILLE – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) visited area long-term care facilities in Danville Monday to deliver Valentine’s Day cards written by students and community members across Vermilion County as part of his card collection drive.  

“It’s been such a joy delivering these heartfelt valentines to our long-term care residents this Valentine’s Day,” Bennett said. “This collection drive was a community effort, and its success is a testament to the compassionate hearts of our neighbors who have been so generous with their time and talents to spread love to these folks this year.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) to ensure clean water is accessible to all communities was recently advanced out of committee.

“Safe and unpolluted water should be affordable for all families, especially during the ongoing pandemic,” Connor said. “Prioritizing clean water in our communities is prioritizing the health of our local residents.”

Senate Bill 3905 would create the Municipal Water and Wastewater Funding Study Committee to study and make recommendations regarding any necessary changes to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or Illinois Pollution Control Board policies as they relate to municipal water and wastewater funding across the state.

Sims advances measure to streamline local police investigations

SPRINGFIELD — To address underreported and unsolved missing persons cases, particularly those involving people of color, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. advanced a measure to streamline the investigative process from the Senate Local Government Committee last week.

“It pains me to hear a mother’s cry on national television begging the public for assistance in finding a child that’s gone missing,” said Sims. “The first step is acknowledging the large disparity that exists in the lack of urgency and coverage.”

Read more.

Joyce measure to maximize federal dollars for broadband development

SPRINGFIELD — A measure introduced by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aims to maximize Illinois’ ability to capture federal funding for broadband under the federal Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act.

“There will be billions of federal dollars across the country available for broadband expansion,” Joyce said. “This bill not only safeguards how those funds are spent, but it also puts a plan in place to grow the federal dollars flowing into Illinois.”

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Bennett plan to offer free textbooks for in-state students passes committee

SPRINGFIELD — Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is breaking down barriers for Illinois students seeking a college education with his free textbook incentive legislation that passed committee last week.

“A huge issue that students seeking a college education face today is affordability of course materials,” Bennett said. “By eliminating a significant educational expense for our students staying in-state for college, we are removing a huge financial burden for students and families.”

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Stadelman measure to give survivors of abuse safer ways to file protective orders

SPRINGFIELD — When survivors of abuse or domestic violence are in need of a protective order, they often hesitate due to the agonizing trauma it stirs up, or worse, out of fear of being stopped by their abuser. To give survivors a safer, more comfortable way to file for a protective order, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is leading a measure to allow people to request such documentation through virtual means.

“Survivors of abuse and domestic violence often face much grief and trauma about their situation — regardless of how much time has passed,” Stadelman said. “Having to face someone and talk about what they’ve gone through can be extremely difficult — bringing that trauma to the forefront of their mind. By allowing people to file for orders of protection at home, survivors will feel safer and more comfortable.”

Read more.

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SPRINGFIELD – Future residents searching for a long-term care facilities could avoid being misled about available services, thanks to a measure led State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).

“People should be given the right to know information regarding potential assisted living facilities without misleading information,” Villa said. “Finding the right long-term care facility is already difficult and stressful – people don’t need misleading information to make the process even more arduous.”

Villa’s measure would eliminate an obligation for the Illinois Department on Aging’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to label the Consumer Choice search tool with the name “Resident’s Right to Know.” This elimination would allow residents additional information on services offered by facilities, including memory care, transportation, dialysis, multilingual staff and more without being misled or confused.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) to establish a Hydrogen Economy Task Force in Illinois advanced out of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee on Thursday.

"Through the establishment of our Hydrogen Economy Task Force, we set Illinois on track to become a hydrogen powerhouse in the Midwest, and nationwide,” Ellman said. “As a center of a potential Midwest Hydrogen Hub, we can harness our excess energy in the state to generate hydrogen, and in turn use it to support the agricultural, refining, and transportation industries in Illinois and across the Midwest.  Hydrogen Hub investment means innovation and good jobs.”

SPRINGFIELD – Several state senators joined the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Thursday to unveil a package of proposals to support, fund and provide law enforcement officers with resources to serve and protect communities.

“Our brave members of law enforcement bear the brunt of the state’s criminal justice system,” said State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon). “By working in collaboration with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, we have identified key areas for improvement to support our officers and look forward to discussing the measures.”