SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Labor Committee approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that will allow teachers and other school employees to use paid sick leave after fostering, adopting or giving birth to a child.

"Today's Illinois families are formed and function quite differently than when these laws were originally written,” Feigenholtz said. "New parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and single parents, should have flexibility to decide how and when to use their earned time off to care for and bond with their new child.”

House Bill 816 redefines how teachers and other school employees outside of Chicago are able to use 30 working days of paid sick leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child at any time within the year after the child joins the family.

SPRINGFIELD – Central Illinois communities will see more than $400 million in funding for road and bridge projects over the next six years as part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Thursday.

“The Rebuild Illinois program is the largest infrastructure investment in Illinois’ history, and continues to have a transformational impact on Central Illinois,” Turner said. “This financial commitment is not just about streets and highways or roads and bridges. It has a much larger and life-changing impact. Through this funding and Investment infrastructure we are invigorating communities, promoting healthy living spaces, spurring economic development, and putting people to work in good union jobs right here in our own neighborhoods.”

MARYVILLE – In partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced four infrastructure projects to improve roads and bridges throughout the Metro East.

“As our state progresses on the road to economic recovery, these local infrastructure investments come at a critical time for the Metro East,” Crowe said. “By updating local roads and bridges, we can ensure dependable modes of transportation for commuters and families while creating labor jobs for residents.”

IDOT announced four major infrastructure projects representing an estimated $31.2 million in investments for the Metro East, including:

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that would allow water and sewer utilities to provide an additional financial assistance program passed committee on Thursday.

“Water and sewer services are essential services. You need them to live. Unfortunately, it’s often the case that low-income customers cannot afford their monthly bills,” Belt said. “This measure would help lessen that financial burden for these customers.” 

Utility providers can choose to opt-in to the program, managed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to ensure low-income citizens’ water and sewer services are available and affordable.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) that automatically extends homestead exemptions for civilians and veterans with disabilities, as well as senior citizens, advanced out of the Senate Revenue committee Wednesday evening.

“The past year has been challenging for all of us,” Connor said. “As we work to provide relief, we must lend a helping hand to people who were already struggling before the pandemic.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced legislation through the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee Thursday to continue efforts to protect Illinois communities from toxic coal ash pollution.

“Coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal in a power plant, is extremely hazardous and can leave a lasting impact on the environment, even after a plant has closed,” Bennett said. “It’s important that we take precautions to protect Illinois residents, water sources and wildlife from toxic spills."

Bennett introduced House Bill 3783 to establish training standards for workers constructing, installing, modifying or closing Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) surface impediments, otherwise known as coal ash pits.

Under Bennett’s plan, anyone working on a coal ash pit would be required to participate in training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The training would cover erosion control and environmental remediation, as well as the operation of heavy equipment and excavation. 

SPRINGFIELD – Undocumented college students could find tailored support on campus under legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Wednesday.

“Undocumented students on campus may be under an immense amount of stress regarding their immigration status, in addition to the already stressful higher education experience,” Villa said. “A dedicated liaison will help ensure students have equitable and inclusive access to campus programs.”

The legislation would require public universities and community colleges in Illinois to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison, as well as encourage schools to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on campus to assist undocumented students.

SPRINGFIELD – Hospitals across Illinois would be required to participate in the Illinois State Police sexual assault evidence tracking system and explain the tracking process to survivors under legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Wednesday.

“The Illinois State Police sexual assault evidence tracking system can only be used to its full potential if all hospitals participate in the system,” Villa said. “Survivors who are brave enough to submit evidence for a rape kit deserve to have all the information on how to track their evidence through every step of the process.”

In 2020, the Illinois State Police launched an online tracking system for rape kits that allows survivors of sexual assault to track evidence in their cases, but not all hospitals in Illinois opted to participate. Villa’s measure would require hospitals to enter collected sexual assault evidence into the tracking system.