CHAMPAIGN – With cold, snowy weather approaching, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is reminding drivers with travel plans of the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois website.

“Drivers who are unprepared for winter road conditions create dangerous situations for themselves and everyone on the road,” Bennett said. “This roadmap is a great resource for commuters and residents, and I encourage folks to utilize it before getting on the roads.”

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

People can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on IDOT’s website.

PLAINFIELD – To help people stay safe this winter season, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging drivers to utilize Getting Around Illinois to preview road conditions before traveling.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is debuting an improved road conditions map this year, which can be viewed at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.

“The winter months bring unpredictable and possibly dangerous road conditions,” Loughran Cappel said. “If weather forecasts are not optimal, please check this vital resource to help you and your family stay safe and prepared during your holiday travels this year.”

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois now has a new law on the books to help incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to set up shop and generate good paying jobs in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) championed the historic House Bill 1769, the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, which was signed into law on Tuesday. This new law builds on Hastings’ work to make Illinois a leader in manufacturing electric vehicles and decreasing carbon emissions.

“This new law sends out a signal to businesses across the globe that Illinoisans are ready to work,” Hastings said. “Growing the state’s green economy sets us up to generate jobs of the future while reducing the state’s carbon footprint.”

The law comes on the heels of the state’s historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. House Bill 1769 includes tax credits to incentivize manufactures to make Illinois a hub for electric vehicle and auto battery production, as well as allowing local jurisdictions to abate property taxes for electric vehicle projects.

Earlier this year, Lion Electric Company, a Canadian-based manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced plans to build the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Joliet.

“I am proud we are working actively to modernize the state’s economy to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers to make Illinois their home,” Hastings said. “Now is the time to reshape the state’s transportation sector to clear the way to reduce carbon emissions and secure good paying jobs for the people of the southland.” 

Illinois currently ranks ninth in the nation for auto production, employing more than 30,000 people. An additional 36,000 work at auto parts makers in the state, according to the Illinois Manufacturing Association. The state is already home to more than 5,000 workers in the electronic transportation industry, and these numbers are expected to double in the next two years.

House Bill 1769 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. 

To learn more about the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Program, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website here.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) joined Gov. JB Pritzker and other officials at Rock Valley College’s Advanced Technology Center to celebrate the signing of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act on Tuesday.

“The REV Act invests in both job creators and working people across Illinois to make us a nationwide leader in the electric vehicle industry,” Gillespie said. “Covering training costs for new hires and protecting living wages for current employees will provide a foundation for working people to build long-term careers in a growing industry.”

The REV Act provides financial incentives to electric vehicle, parts and power supply manufacturers. To qualify for tax credits on income tax withholdings, manufacturers must pay their employees at least 120% of the average wage paid in the county where the project is located. The legislation includes expanded tax credits for employers in underserved and energy transition areas.

Illinois currently employs 36,000 workers in the auto production industry, ranking 9th in the nation. House Bill 1769 is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Backing his promise to expand electric vehicle production in both the Rockford area and state as a whole, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) championed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, which was signed into law Tuesday.

“This growing field indicates room for job growth in the electric vehicle market,” Stadelman said. “Illinois is working to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to keep and bring their production facilities here. That will lead to good paying jobs in Northern Illinois and across the state.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – This holiday season, Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) are collecting toys to give children in need a special holiday surprise.

The toys will be collected now through Dec. 10. Toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at Belt’s office, located at Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building #10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A in East St. Louis. Residents can drop off toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The holiday season is a time we buy gifts for our loved ones,” Belt said. “Many families in our communities struggle financially during the holidays. I encourage residents to donate new or gently used toys so a child in need can enjoy a gift this season.”

Call for Help, Inc., a local organization which will receive the donated toys, works to change lives by giving people skills and support that empower them to overcome emotional and physical crisis. The organization serves the Greater Metro East and surrounding areas to end homelessness, poverty and violence.

If residents have questions about the toy drive, Belt urges them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or Greenwood’s office at 618-646-9557.

OAK PARK – Senate President Don Harmon released the following statement today after President Joe Biden signed a historic investment in infrastructure:

“I look forward to the transformative projects Illinois will be able to begin as a result of this legislation. Every region of Illinois will benefit. We have the opportunity to modernize our infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, improve public transportation, increase access to broadband Internet and further our commitment to green energy.”

CHICAGO— State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore and 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. released a joint statement following a deadly shooting incident which occurred late Monday morning near their shared district office:

“Today a violent incident occurred outside of our shared district office in which a security guard’s life was taken, and another guard was shot and wounded, by yet another senseless act of gun violence.