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Crowe announces library grants to local school districts

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Category: Senator Rachelle Crowe News
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 05:03 AM
  • Crowe
  • Education
  • Grants
  • School Libraries

school library

GLEN CARBON – Six local school districts will receive more than $14,000 in grants through the Illinois secretary of state’s School Library Grant program, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools offer more library books and materials to students.

“School libraries have the tools to increase a child’s lifelong learning and literacy skills, enabling their individual social participation both in the classroom and at home,” Crowe said. “I applaud our state for recognizing the importance of providing our children with the opportunity to find a passion for reading.”

Read more: Crowe announces library grants to local school districts

New law allows earlier access to senior tax break

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Category: Member News
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 07:22 AM
  • Sims
  • Cunningham
  • Gillespie
  • Ellman
  • Property Tax Relief
  • HB961

Pay off mortgage

A new measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would accelerate access to a property tax break for seniors was signed into law Tuesday.

“This bill is an opportunity to test a more efficient process while still providing the same or better level of service,” Ellman said. “This particular example prioritizes the needs of seniors on fixed-incomes and ensures awareness of relief programs available to our older population. I will continue to seek more efficient processes that serve Illinoisans.”

House Bill 961 will allow seniors to benefit earlier than originally scheduled from a new law removing the need for Cook County residents aged 65 or older to reapply annually to receive the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption, a property tax exemption designed to assist senior citizens financially.

Read more: New law allows earlier access to senior tax break

Castro wants to close legislative pay loophole

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Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Monday, January 13, 2020 06:42 AM
  • Castro
  • Reform
  • SB2456
  • Legislator Pay

capitol complex

SPRINGFIELD – A loophole in legislative pay law allowing legislators to receive an entire month’s pay despite not serving the full month would be closed under a proposal by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).

“In any other job, a person would not be compensated for an entire month if they only worked one day,” Castro said. “This is a glaring loophole that has been exploited far too many times at the taxpayers’ expense, and I’m sick of it. It needs to be closed.”

Under current law, a retiring legislator can receive pay for an entire month, even if they only serve one day. Castro’s proposal closes the loophole by establishing pay on a prorated basis for legislators who do not complete their team. The law would take effect in January of 2021, at the start of the 102nd General Assembly.

Read more: Castro wants to close legislative pay loophole

The Majority Report 01/13/20 - Lawmakers react to possible rape-cover up, seek answers of abuse of seclusion rooms

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Category: Majority Report
Monday, January 13, 2020 03:12 AM
  • Belt
  • Education
  • Holmes
  • Audio
  • Majority Report
  • Sexual Assault
  • Gillespie
  • IDFPR
  • Seclusion Rooms
  • Women's Caucus

Women's Caucus logo

Women's caucus reacts to possible rape cover-up

SPRINGFIELD – Outraged by a possible sexual assault cover-up, the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus is asking anyone with information to come forward.

The request comes in response to a WBEZ article regarding a 2012 email to officials within then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration that references someone keeping quiet about “the rape in Champaign.”

“That email is horrifying. If anyone has any information about this crime, please contact authorities. Sexual assault will not be tolerated. We need to get to the bottom of this and hold people accountable,” said Senator Linda Holmes, an Aurora Democrat and co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus.

Read more.

Joint Education Committee

Lawmakers seek answers to abuse of seclusion rooms

CHICAGO – Members of the joint bipartisan Illinois Senate and House Education Committees met Tuesday to examine the abuse of seclusion rooms in public schools.

State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) introduced Senate Bill 2315 to ban the use of these rooms as a punitive measure.

“We must end the abusive practice of de facto solitary confinement and improper use of restraints,” Gillespie said. “At the same time we must meet the unique needs of students, honor their dignity and ensure a safe environment for all. This is the needle we must thread with our legislation, and I look forward to working closely with all the stakeholders to achieve immediate and sustainable changes to the culture and practices in our schools.”

Read more.

 

Sen. Christopher Belt

Belt helps create military liason for IDFPR

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored an initiative that lead to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation hiring its first military liaison to help military families through the licensure process.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation created a military liaison position to help service members and their spouses navigate the licensure process.

Read more.

 

members in the news

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Patrick Joyce, Essex: Talks continue in bringing natural gas to Pembroke Township | Daily Journal

Senators Kimberly Lightford and Heather Steans, Chicago: Transgender daughters are a bond between Kim Lightford, Heather Steans | Chicago Sun-Times

Senator Julie Morrison, Deerfield: State lawmakers say new FDA policy on vaping doesn’t go far enough | The Daily Herald

Senator Celina Villanueva, Chicago: Representative Villanueva occupies vacated seat once held by Senator Sandoval | Lawndale News

 

Copyright 2020 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

 

Bennett invites small business owners to a tax credit workshop

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Category: Senator Scott Bennett News
Thursday, January 09, 2020 08:55 AM
  • Bennett
  • Tax Credit
  • Revenue
  • Minimum Wage

Open sign

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is partnering with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce to host a free workshop about the Minimum Wage Tax Credit on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce (303 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign).

On Jan. 1, the first phase of minimum wage increases took effect, raising the wage from $8.25 an hour to $9.25 an hour. Under the new law, small businesses are eligible for a tax credit, giving them a maximum credit of 25% of the difference between the new minimum wage and what each employee was paid previously.

“We need to keep small businesses competitive during this transition period,” Bennett said. “This informative workshop will help connect small business owners with updated information on the Minimum Wage Tax Credit to help offset the state’s minimum wage rate and ease their transition.”

Read more: Bennett invites small business owners to a tax credit workshop

Majority Leader Lightford condemns possible rape cover-up

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Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Thursday, January 09, 2020 02:58 AM
  • Lightford
  • Sexual Assault
  • Ethics

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford

SPRINGFIELD -- Outraged by allegations brought forth by a recent WBEZ story about the possible cover up of a rape detailed in a state government email exchange, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford urged that appropriate authorities, including the Champaign County State’s Attorney, the Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Executive Inspector General, take immediate steps to investigate this report.

The WBEZ story referenced a 2012 email to officials in then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration sent by lobbyist Michael McClain that among other things makes mention of a state employee who kept quiet about “the rape in Champaign”, asking that the administration keep that individual employed by the state.

Read more: Majority Leader Lightford condemns possible rape cover-up

Van Pelt encourages anyone with information on rape referenced in confidential state communications to come forward

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Category: Senator Patricia Van Pelt News
Thursday, January 09, 2020 02:56 AM
  • Sexual Assault
  • Van Pelt
  • Ethics

Sen. Patricia Van Pelt

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D – Chicago) is calling for further action regarding an apparent rape cover-up revealed earlier today by a WBEZ article.

“The cover-up of such an egregious act is simply inexcusable. Everyone involved in mishandling this injustice should be held accountable. If you know anything about this, it is your duty to report it,” Van Pelt said.

The email was from 2012. There is no statute of limitations for charges of sexual assault in Illinois.

“Too often women don’t come forward because the appropriate actions are never taken. We should fight to make sure that doesn’t happen here. I urge anyone with information to come forward,” Van Pelt said.

Read more: Van Pelt encourages anyone with information on rape referenced in confidential state...

Bush seeks answers on possible rape cover-up

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Category: Senator Melinda Bush News
Thursday, January 09, 2020 02:54 AM
  • Bush
  • Sexual Assault
  • Ethics

Sen. Melinda Bush

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is urging anyone with information about the possible cover-up of a sexual assault to come forward.

“If anyone has information, they should absolutely report it to authorities immediately,” Bush said. “It’s appalling that someone would use their political position to cover up a rape or any other crime.”

Bush’s outrage comes in response to a WBEZ article alleging the participation of state officials in purposefully hiding information about a rape in an email exchange in 2012, during former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration.

Senator Bush would like provide a reminder that there is no longer a statute of limitations on criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault or aggravated criminal sexual abuse in Illinois. Therefore any new information will be helpful to authorities during the investigation.

Read more: Bush seeks answers on possible rape cover-up

More Articles …

  1. Morrison responds to sexual assault cover-up
  2. Castro: Covering up crimes should be punished, not rewarded
  3. Bennett releases statement on possible sexual assault cover-up
  4. Senate President statement on the passing of former Senator Pat Welch
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