SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar issued the following statement in response to the announcement of Mueller Water Products’ plans to build a new, state of the art foundry in Decatur:

“Mueller has been a major contributor to the economic vitality of the City of Decatur since their founding over 160 years ago. I want to thank Mueller for their continued investment and dedication to this community.

“This new, multi-year project represents new opportunities for the people of Decatur and will create hundreds of jobs both in the construction and operational stages of the facility.

“With low unemployment, cutting edge workforce development, and continued economic expansion, progress is continuing in Decatur and Macon County.”

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) aimed at increasing state employment of individuals with disabilities was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

“Having a job means having dignity, independence and purpose, regardless of whether or not an individual has a disability,” Morrison said. “The State of Illinois should be a leader in showing that individuals with disabilities are just as capable in the workplace and have a valued role in contributing to our state and our economy.”

The legislation requires the state to better facilitate the hiring of individuals with disabilities by requiring Central Management Services to send the Successful Disability Opportunities List to state agencies when they are hiring.

Morrison – who is chair of the Senate Human Services Committee and founder of the Special Needs Caucus – passed the measure to help break down the barriers to employment individuals with disabilities face.

Senate Bill 190 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

VILLA PARK – Towns across DuPage County can now spend hotel tax dollars on items other than tourism, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Tom Cullerton.

Cullerton (D-Villa Park) started working on passing this initiative four or five years ago, that would allow non-home rule towns to direct vital dollars on the needs of residents. Senate Bill 1217, will allow for up to 25 percent of hotel tax revenue to be used on economic development or infrastructure improvements. It was signed into law on Friday.

“This new law will give flexibility to towns and villages across DuPage County to direct dollars toward vital repairs, expanding public transportation and fixing annoying potholes,” Cullerton said. “Solid roadways help community put its best face forward for visitors while improving conditions for residents. No one wants to drive through towns full of potholes.”

Under previous law, towns within DuPage County were required to use 100 percent of all hotel revenues toward promoting tourism. Now up to 25 percent of those dollars can be used to address local needs.

“I would like to thank Senator Tom Cullerton and Representative Diane Pappas for fighting for Itasca,” said Jeff Pruyn, Mayor of Itasca. “As a former mayor, Senator Cullerton understands that villages and towns across DuPage County have pressing needs. This law will allow us to direct vital dollars toward key infrastructure and economic development projects that will help ensure local residents’ needs are met.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Treasurer will have more options to invest money on the state’s behalf under a new law, signed Friday, that State Senator Jacqueline Collins sponsored.

“At a time with anemic interest rates, when we are still recovering from a devastating governor’s administration that harmed finances, taxpayers deserve the assurance that we have every option available to act quickly to make smart, secure investments,” Collins said. “This removes burdensome regulations that require us to deposit money outside our own state, and increases options for those engaged in securities proceedings with the state of Illinois. It’s my belief that this empowers the Treasurer to act in the best interests of taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 1289 authorizes the Illinois Treasurer to hold securities in any bank or a depository trust company in the United States, altering current law that mandates they be held only in institutions based in New York. The legislation also adds to the classes of securities that the State Treasurer may accept as collateral for deposits that are not insured by the federal government. Further, it adds to and modifies the investments the State Treasurer may invest or reinvest in.

The new law is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to further protect senior citizens, an initiative by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) to deny inheritance to those convicted of assaulting their elderly family members was signed into law last week.

“It’s disheartening that we need legislation such as this to prevent family members from taking advantage of their elders,” Crowe said. “Seniors are targeted every day for their estate, and I’m proud to put this legislation forward to prevent abusers from benefitting after committing this serious crime.”

Under the current Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, a person convicted of financial exploitation, abuse or neglect of an elderly person is prohibited from benefitting from the victim’s estate. Crowe’s measure expands the law to include assault, aggravated assault, battery and aggravated battery against people over 60 years old.

“Every day, we see the devastating effects of abuse of senior citizens, often by family members,” said Tom Gibbons, Madison County State’s Attorney. “I’m thankful to Senator Crowe and our legislators passing this important measure to prevent abusers from profiting from their abuse.”

DES PLAINES – Students will be allowed to self-administer prescribed medication while at school under legislation sponsored by Des Plaines Democrat State Senator Laura Murphy that became law this week.

Murphy’s measure will require schools to allow students with an action plan to self-administer prescribed medication with permission from their parent or guardian.

“Giving children permission to self-administer their medicine while at school allows them to focus on their school work and offers parents reassurance,” Murphy said. “I am happy my bill was signed into law because no parent wants to worry that their child might not be safe at school simply because they don’t have access to their medication.”

Gwynne Ryan, a teacher at Maine West High School brought this idea for legislation forward after fighting the school her child attends on allowing her child to self-administer.

SPRINGFIELD—A plan to update driver’s license services in Illinois to follow federal ID rules was signed into law Friday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., a Chicago Democrat, sponsored the plan, which puts in place the REAL ID standards established by the federal government. Adopting the plan would prevent major travel difficulties for Illinoisans, as air travel security standards are set to mandate REAL ID standards for IDs.

“Updating Illinois IDs to REAL ID standards will prevent confusion and, more importantly, help to protect the people of Illinois as they travel,” Sims said. “The new law will help people avoid headaches as they go through airport or any other federal security.”

Illinois is compliant with the REAL ID Act. Current non-Real ID compliant driver’s license and identification cards will be accepted at airports until October 1, 2020.

After this date, people with Illinois driver’s licenses and identification cards will need to provide additional documentation in order for their cards to become REAL ID compliant.

House Bill 2315 takes effect on Jan. 1.

SPRINGFIELD – A new bipartisan task force will be created to find ways to save taxpayers money under a new law sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Senate Bill 1932 creates the Property Tax Relief Task Force, which will explore potential solutions to reducing Illinois’ high property tax rates and make recommendations to the General Assembly.

“For years our state had a regressive school funding formula that drove up rates and placed the majority of the burden on property owners,” Manar said. “Taxpayers have been forced to pay these exorbitant rates for far too long and it’s time to take a serious look at ways to resolve this problem.”

The task force will be made up of a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives as well as individuals appointed by the governor.

The following Democratic senators will serve on the task force: Sen. Christopher Belt, Sen. Melinda Bush, Sen. Cristina Castro, Sen. Rachelle Crowe, Sen. Tom Cullerton, Sen. Bill Cunningham, Sen. Laura Ellman, Sen. Laura Fine, Sen. Anne Gillespie, Sen. Suzy Glowiak, Sen. Don Harmon, Sen. Napoleon Harris, Sen. Linda Holmes, Sen. Mattie Hunter, Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Sen. Terry Link, Sen. Andy Manar, Sen. Iris Martinez, Sen. Robert Martwick, Sen. Julie Morrison, Sen. Laura Murphy, Sen. Robert Peters, Sen. Elgie Sims, Sen. Steve Stadelman, Sen. Heather Steans and Sen. Ram Villivalam.