SPRINGFIELD – In response to the hard hitting impact of the pandemic, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) crafted, sponsored and passed a relief package to provide a lifeline to a struggling industry.

“In May, we passed a bill allowing cocktail delivery for the bar and restaurant industry, which helped them recoup some of the lost income caused by COVID-19,” Feigenholtz said. “Today we extended this ability to other retail establishments. Alcohol sales make up a large portion of revenue for our eating, drinking and retail establishments."

House Bill 3393, known as the COVID-19 Hospitality Recovery Act, extends the quickly-approaching sunset on cocktail delivery, permits retailers to use credit cards for payment to distributors, and crafts a limited exemption on indirect donations for not-for-profit entities of fixtures and equipment. The package also clarifies laws around permitted delivery.

“These are common sense policies crafted with a great deal of input from industry stakeholders,” Feigenholtz said. “When this legislation becomes law,  it will provide restaurants, bars and retailers with additional tools for cash management, as well as flexibility to indirectly accept items such as tents, warmers and other equipment needed to attract customers to outdoor dining.”

The package passed the Senate with unanimous support, and will be sent to the House for a concurrence vote.

SPRINGFIELD – A safer way to turn in vote-by-mail ballots may soon be on its way to counties across the state after State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) successfully championed a measure to implement more secure drop boxes.

“We should make it simpler to vote – even in a non-COVID world,” Morrison said. “Everyone should have a safe and secure way to cast their ballot.”

House Bill 3994 would allow election authorities to establish permanent ballot drop boxes to accept vote-by-mail ballots. Election authorities would be able to receive reimbursement through the federal Help America Vote Act to pay for the boxes.

SPRINGFIELD – To end the abuse of seclusion rooms in public schools, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed a measure in the Illinois Senate that would ban the use of prone restraint.

“With students beginning to return to physical classrooms, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away,” Gillespie said. “I remain committed to ending the inhumane practice of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

Previously filed under Senate Bill 2315, the legislation now moves under House Bill 2263. Current law allows school staff to isolate a student if they pose a danger to themselves or others. However, a Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois investigation revealed that isolation rooms are often used as a punishment for refusing to do classwork, swearing and other behavior that does not pose a threat to safety.

ISBE issued rules to only allow timeouts with a trained adult in the room, an unlocked door and “only for therapeutic reasons or protecting the safety of students and staff.” These emergency rules, however, will expire 150 days after implemented.

House Bill 2263 passed the Illinois Senate and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) voted for a comprehensive measure to focus on achieving racial equity within education Monday. 

“When you focus on making a more inclusive education system, everyone benefits,” Stadelman said. “This legislation will help even the playing field for students who may need additional resources.” 

The overhaul of the state’s education system will require the Professional Review Panel to review funding adequacy target calculations, racial equity, and whether funding goals are sufficient, among other things.

“There is no excuse for any child in the state to not reach their full potential solely because their ZIP code, socioeconomic background or the color of their skin,” Stadelman said. “Providing necessary services at an early age will ensure better educational outcomes for the entire state.” 

The bill creates new programs to support education from early childhood to college. Students entering kindergarten would be more rigorously assessed for academic, social and emotional development skills. The state's standards for high schools would be revised to ensure more students are able to attend college. Other measures include a six-week summer program to help students in poverty and the creation of a task force to support equitable environments in Illinois schools.

enhancing programs to keep

The measure, House Bill 2170, has passes both chambers. It will now go to the governor’s desk for further consideration. 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) passed a measure Monday that creates transparency regarding the true conditions of the Chicago firefighter pensions system and provides an accurate path for stability.

“This legislation shines a light on the true financial condition of the fund and prevents the city from intentionally kicking the can down the road and forcing bigger tax increases in the future,” Martwick said.  “The only way to truly fix our finances is to first acknowledge the true depth of the problem.”

House Bill 2451 removes outdated language that understates the true value of the pension benefit paid to firefighters while allowing the city to structurally underfund its payments. Two firefighters could have started on the force the same day, but could receive different benefits based on their dates of birth. 

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing that essential employees and first-responders face increased risk of COVID-19 infections, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) voted to extend a set of emergency provisions designed to streamline worker’s compensation.

“This pandemic has shown just how vulnerable working people are if they get sick on the job,” Gillespie said. “Essential workers and first-responders deserve a safety net, so they and their families are protected from the economic fallout of catching COVID-19.”

Under normal circumstances, employees are responsible for proving their injuries or illness stem from the workplace to qualify for worker’s compensation benefits. Because first-responders and essential workers face increased exposure to the COVID-19 virus, state lawmakers changed the law in May to assume an essential worker who contracts the virus did so in the workplace and qualifies for benefits. An employer must now prove the infection happened outside work and the workers doesn’t deserve coverage.

If signed into law, the extension runs through June 30, 2021. House Bill 4276 passed in the Illinois Senate without opposition and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.

SPRINGFIELD – Black children across Illinois are a step closer to being ensured a quality education under a plan led by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) that passed the Illinois Senate today. The legislation is part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ plan to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

The measure addresses education and workforce development from early childhood to adulthood. To help ensure school readiness, it strengthens early intervention services and sets a kindergarten readiness assessment in statute. Early intervention services, which help support the development of children with delays and disabilities, will now be available until the beginning of the school year after the child turns 3.

Rooted in equity, House Bill 2170 pivots away from teaching history from a Eurocentric perspective by reforming the state’s history curriculum through an Inclusive American History Commission that will make sure students learn about people from all backgrounds.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) has taken action to remove an antiquated law that prohibits drinking alcohol on trains, which hasn’t been enforced in nearly a century.

“Last year I learned of this law and was surprised. People have technically been breaking the law by ordering drinks on the Amtrak,” Ellman said. “There’s no reason why responsible adults shouldn’t be able to enjoy these types of beverages on a train.”

House Bill 3878 repeals the Railroad Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1911, which prohibits drinking alcohol on trains and around train stations, and gives conductors the ability to arrest violators and charge them with a Class C misdemeanor.

“Just because a law isn’t generally enforced, doesn’t mean that it can’t be,” Ellman said. “Today, many trains include alcoholic beverages on their menus.”

The measure passed the Senate with a vote of 51-0-0 and now goes to the governor’s desk, where it will await being signed into law. 

“This law hasn’t been enforced since the 1920s, during Prohibition,” Ellman said. “Last year COVID-19 sidelined this legislation, but it’s time to get back on track by repealing this archaic and arbitrary law.”

Ellman is also encouraging people to use safe transportation, such as Metra, as an alternative to driving under the influence.