PARK FOREST – Senior citizens who have qualified for property tax exemptions in Cook County will only need to reapply one more time, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced.

Public Act 101-0622 removes the requirement that recipients of the Senior Homestead Exemption in Cook County reapply for the exemption every year.

“Senior citizens in the South Suburbs are going to have a big weight lifted off their shoulders next year,” Joyce said. “I’m pleased that Illinois is taking steps – even small ones – to correct our broken property tax system.”

CHICAGO — A joint committee heard feedback from witnesses on what the current state of criminal justice reform in Illinois.

The hearing was called by co-chairs State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) of the Senate Criminal Law Committee, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) of the new Senate Public Safety Special Committee and State Representative Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee.

“Hearing all sides of the issue is crucial to working toward a system that is fair and just,” Sims said. “We have to work together to develop a focused strategy. That is the only way we will protect our communities, ensure fairness in sentencing and allow for life after prison.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative with the Department of Human Services that will expand eligibility for special education facilities.

The proposed legislation would allow people with an orthopedic or other physical disability to attend the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt.

“As we become more knowledgeable about various kinds of disabilities, it is important to revise our policies so that they are as inclusive as need be,” Van Pelt said. “Our understanding has grown, so our legislation must be changed to address that.”

Senators call for answers on DCFS insurance switch

SPRINGFIELD — Following a glitch that left more than 2,500 adopted children and former foster children without insurance for days, State Senators Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) and Heather Steans (D-Chicago) led a conversation about the issue and the oversight of Medicaid managed care.

“The state is responsible for these children and must make sure they have access to health care,” Morrison said. “I wouldn’t want my own child to be enrolled in this poorly managed program.”

Read more.

Senate Dems unveil public safety priorities

CHICAGO — In an effort to improve safety in communities and reform the criminal justice system, the Illinois Senate announced the formation of the Special Committee on Public Safety Thursday.

The committee, chaired by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), will be tasked with hearing a number of measures, including one to put a stop to cash bail.

“I’ve dedicated my adult life toward the fight to reimagine and to win real safety and justice, and last year I passed several laws with this goal in mind, including one to abolish private detention centers,” Peters said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to personally head up the Special Committee on Public Safety, and I am confident that the committee will lead to a society that is fair, equitable, just and, most importantly, safe.”

Read more.

Crowe secures override protecting aviation repair jobs

SPRINGFIELD — Recognizing the necessity of the thousands of highly-skilled, highly-paid jobs jet repair companies provide to people in the state, the Illinois Senate overrode the governor’s veto of House Bill 3902 in a bipartisan manner Wednesday.

State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) led the efforts to protect jobs in the Metro East.

“I refused to sit idly by and allow thousands of people to lose their jobs because of a mistake by a former administration,” Crowe said. “Labor workers in the aviation repair industry contribute vital economic growth in the Metro East region and across the state, and this measure is an affirmation of support to them and their families.”

Read more.

In case you missed it

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Senator Mattie Hunter, Chicago: Will lawmakers finally put the brakes on red-light cameras? | Chicago Sun-Times

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, Maywood: Sen. Lightford honors longtime friend Greg Reives | WGEM NBC

Senator Andy Manar, Bunker Hill: Lawmaker floats plan to cut prescription drug prices | The State Journal-Register

Copyright 2020 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) introduced a package of legislation giving more power to the state ethics commission to weed out corruption.

“I’ve been working with advocates for the last three years to clean up corruption and finally hold people accountable,” Bush said. “In light of the recent revelations involving former members of the General Assembly, we can’t allow this shameful behavior to continue. The only way to stop it is to give our watchdogs more power to investigate and take independent action.”

CHICAGO – Several Democratic members of the newly formed Senate Special Committee on Public Safety met in Chicago today to unveil their public safety priorities for this year’s legislative session.

State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who will chair the committee, spoke of his past legislative accomplishments and how they motivate him to continue that fight.

“I’ve dedicated my adult life toward the fight to reimagine and to win real safety and justice, and last year I passed several laws with this goal in mind, including one to abolish private detention centers,” Peters said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to personally head up the Special Committee on Public Safety, and I am confident that the committee will lead to a society that is fair, equitable, just and, most importantly, safe.”

SPRINGFIELD—Members of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform heard feedback from witnesses on rules for state officials and employees in an effort to determine best practices and close any possible loopholes.

“We must address the crisis of confidence in our government by holding state leaders and employees to the highest of standards,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago), who co-chairs the commission. “That includes, reviewing the rules and seeking input to find solutions which will hold bad actors who betray the public’s trust accountable.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that would ensure the preservation of manufacturing jobs in the Peoria area passed the Senate with bipartisan support yesterday.

“The point of this legislation is simple: to keep good-paying jobs in our area,” Koehler said. “Without this tax exemption there is no question that aviation companies would have to take a long look at doing business elsewhere.”

Peoria is home to Byerly Aviation, a company that offers maintenance, charters and aircraft sales.

This legislation would reinstate the Illinois state sales tax exemption for materials used in aircraft manufacturing, which expired Dec. 31, 2014.

Since its expiration, the Illinois Department of Revenue audited several privately owned aviation repair companies and never required them to collect sales tax. The Illinois Aviation Trades Association believes the outstanding tax bill is roughly $50 million.

This legislation now awaits the governor’s signature.