Over the weekend, five senators hosted events in their communities to engage with and provide services for their constituents.

On Friday, Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) hosted an event with the Secretary of State’s Mobile Driver Services Unit, which offered residents a convenient way to renew or correct driver’s licenses, renew license plate stickers, and more. About 25 residents took the opportunity to access these services.

Also on Friday, Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) attended an event designating the University of Illinois’ Chez Veteran Center’s as a Purple Heart University for its services to veterans.

“Partnerships like this allow us to bring essential services directly to our constituents,” Ellman said. “Whenever I have the chance to bring services right to our residents, I'm going to jump on it.”

“It was an honor to attend the U of I’s Chez Veteran Center,” Bennett said. “As the largest student veteran center in the country, it gives veteran students a community on campus, and this designation is a recognition of all its important work.”

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois now allows student-athletes to be paid for the use of their names, image, or likenesses because of ex-NFL and Northwestern University alum State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey).

“Finally student-athletes will receive some financial benefit for the use of their names, images, and likenesses,” Harris said. “Their schools will no longer receive all the financial benefits. The students deserve compensation from the hard work of being a college athlete and making their schools millions of dollars.”  

DES PLAINES – Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will see significant improvements to local roads as part of a $66 million infrastructure investment across northern Cook County, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“These improvements are a long time coming,” Murphy said. “In just a few short months, residents and visitors to the Northwest Suburbs will be able to enjoy safer, more pleasant travel across the region.”

Three resurfacing projects began this spring and are currently underway in the 28^th District:

• Arlington Heights Road from Palatine Road to Higgins Road (Illinois 72), to be completed in late fall;
• Busse Road (Illinois 83) from Golf Road (Illinois 58) to Higgins Road, to be completed this summer; and
• Palatine Road from Algonquin Road (Illinois 62) to east of Roselle Road, to be completed this fall.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced seven current and upcoming projects in northern Cook County, representing a total investment of more than $66 million for the region, made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“These projects represent a significant investment in northern Cook County and are a big step forward in our work to improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We’re asking drivers to be patient, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone.”

More information about IDOT projects is available here.

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement after news that Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation Bonds from negative to positive:

“I’m extremely pleased with the Fitch outlook upgrade. This positive rating proves that the budget we passed and the actions we have taken over the past several years are fiscally responsible.

“Even though COVID-19 threw a wrench in things, I remain optimistic that we can continue to keep this debt decline moving forward. I am grateful for the leadership of our state’s top frontrunners: Governor Pritzker, Senate President Harmon, Speaker Welch and my colleagues for their suggestions and recommendations that help get us to this point. Further, I am appreciative of our budget and revenue staff for getting us to this point.

“I am excited to see the new opportunities for financial recovery and advancement. If we stay on this track, borrowing will cost less and taxpayers can save more money.”

Lawmakers praise Illinois' sound fiscal policymaking decisions

SPRINGFIELD – Fitch Rating released a revised outlook on Illinois’ financial forecast last week, a move several Democratic lawmakers praised as a direct result of responsible spending.

“Fitch Ratings Agency’s change of Illinois’ financial outlook from negative to positive reflects the state’s commitment to putting our fiscal house in order, which includes prioritizing paying the state’s backlog of bills - down from over $16 billion, at the height of the Rauner budget impasse, down to a normal payment cycle and nearly $3 billion today," said Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago).

Sims said while he is proud of the positive report, he knows there is much more to be done to help the state's most vulnerable. Read more on his comment here.

Suburban lawmakers also praised the actions taken over recent years to receive the rating upgrade.

“After years of fiscal irresponsibility and chaos under the previous governor, these rating upgrades are an example of what we can accomplish by working together to implement responsible budgets,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This is a vote of confidence in the future of our state.”

Fitch’s is the third ratings agency to upgrade the state’s forecast, in addition to Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s.

Read more.

Loughran Cappel calls on governor to further protect consumers from wrongful fees

PLAINFIELD – To end the practice of burdening family members of deceased utility customers with early termination fees, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is urging Governor Pritzker to sign House Bill 122 into law.

“Utility companies taking advantage of hard working people through unnecessary fees is unfortunately all too common,” Loughran Cappel said. “Governor Pritzker has the ability to crack down on this predatory practice by signing a piece of legislation currently sitting on his desk. It is my hope that he will take swift action on this measure to protect Illinois families of all backgrounds.”

Read more.

Simmons hosts Pride Month reflection press conference

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons, a Chicago Democrat who is the first openly gay member of the Illinois State Senate was joined by community leaders, organizations, activists, and advocates to host a Pride Month reflection press conference Friday afternoon.

“This is a very special Pride Month, since it is the first I am celebrating as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Illinois Senate,” Simmons said. “We have had a lot of wins in the fight for LGBTQ+ people, but there is still a lot more urgent and important work that needs to be done. It’s an honor to be here today with all of these amazing advocates and leaders as we continue the fight for justice for LGBTQ+ people and for queer liberation.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Illinois Legislative Black Caucus: Illinois to end license suspensions for unpaid fees | WQAD ABC 8

Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Chicago: 'Hate didn't rule her life': Friends, family honor Holocaust survivor Fritzie Fritzshall | Daily Herald

Senator Patrick Joyce, Essex: Stay vigilant against fraudulent texts, emails | Patch.com

Senator Ram Villivalam, Chicago: Illinois elementary, high school students to learn about Asian American history under measure awaiting governor’s signature | Quad-City Times

Copyright 2021 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

BUFFALO GROVE – The Illinois Rental Payment Program is now open to tenants applying directly for rental assistance, and State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) hopes to help Illinois residents take advantage of the opportunity by hosting an informational webinar in partnership with the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

“We are winning the fight against COVID-19, but many individuals are still struggling to recover from job and income losses,” Johnson said. “The Illinois Rental Payment Program could help a family keep a roof over their heads, and it’s critical that we get the word out.”

The webinar will be held June 29 at 6 p.m., streamed live on Johnson’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenALJohnson. The event is open to all and does not require preregistration.

ELGIN – One of the nation’s top credit rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, recently updated its outlook on Illinois’ fiscal status, a move that State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) commends as a reflection of the state’s responsible spending.

“Illinois’ outlook change shows how the actions we’ve taken over the last few years, as well as the balanced budget we passed this year, have improved our state’s finances,” Castro said. “Even with the pandemic, we’ve managed to fully fund our pensions and even increase K-12 education funding.”

Along with those successes, Illinois has also cut spending by nearly $1 billion since 2020 and reduced Illinois’ bill backlog to less than $200 million from a high of nearly $1 billion in 2017.

Two other credit rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, also adjusted Illinois’ outlook to be reflective of the positive changes Illinois has undertaken.

“Fitch improving its rating outlook for Illinois is a good thing for taxpayers in the state,” Castro said. “If we stay on track, borrowing will cost less which will end up saving taxpayers money.”

Fitch’s full analysis is available here.

DES PLAINES – Pedestrians and bicyclists in Des Plaines will be able to enjoy safer access to a 55-mile trail running from the Wisconsin border down through central Cook County thanks to a combined $3.5 million investment in local infrastructure improvements, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) announced.

“The Des Plaines River Trail is one of the area’s most popular routes for families and commuters,” Murphy said. “These improvements will make it safer and easier for residents to enjoy miles of natural beauty.”

The City of Des Plaines will receive $1.9 million to create a sidepath, for use by both pedestrians and bicyclists, along the north side of Oakton Street between Des Plaines River Road and the Des Plaines River Trail. The new route will offer commuters and recreational users in Des Plaines safer and more direct access to the trail.

An additional $1.6 million will make improvements to Segment 2 of the Des Plaines River Trail through Rosemont.

These improvements are funded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million. Projects receiving funding in this round of investment include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.

Residents of the Northwest Suburbs will also see improvements to a number of other area trails for pedestrians and bicyclists through ITEP, including Clearmont Pedestrian Bridge over Salt Creek in Elk Grove Village and County Farm Road in Hanover Park.

“The new and improved Des Plaines River Trail will allow residents of Wisconsin, Lake County and Cook County to travel throughout the region without worrying about dangerous crossings, flooding and other obstacles,” Murphy said. “I’m excited to see these long-awaited projects take shape.”