Caucus News

Over the years, the Illinois Senate’s Latino Caucus has grown in size and diversity, mirroring the Latino community in Illinois. The first Latina to be elected to the Illinois State Senate is still serving her community in the General Assembly, and she has been joined by four other Hispanic legislators. They are very excited about the growing influence the Latino community has in the Senate and the state.

There are some senators whose parents immigrated to the U.S. with nothing but an American dream. Experiencing many of the hardships immigrant communities endure, they use their experience to advocate for immigrant communities. Hispanic Heritage Month is important to Illinois’ Democratic Senators, because they take pride in having a state where everyone is welcome. Hispanic culture is a key component of what makes the state of Illinois unique.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is thrilled that the Illinois law she authored to prohibit employers from asking about applicants’ salary history is now in full effect.

“This law is a significant step in eliminating the pay gap for women and other groups that face wage discrimination,” Castro said. “It means that lower pay can no longer follow people from job to job.”

The new law prohibits employers from asking about salary histories when interviewing job applicants or making job offers.

“From now on, initial salary offers will have to reflect how much a company values a potential worker,” Castro added. “If your previous employer was racist, or sexist, or paid you less because you got your first job at the height of the Great Recession, it won’t matter. The only thing that will matter are the skills and experience that you bring to the table.”

SPRINGFIELD – South Suburban Community College is receiving $35.8 million from the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction plan to build a new allied health facility.

The new four-story facility will be approximately 130,000 square feet. It will provide the college with a cutting-edge teaching facility to train students for health care careers. The estimated cost for the project is roughly $70 million, with nearly $17 million in state funding already released and the remaining funding being provided locally.

“I’m thrilled to see Illinois investing into a state-of-the-art teaching facility in the south suburbs,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). “This new facility will provide better job opportunities and bring more resources to students who want a career in the medical industry.”

CHAMPAIGN – In an effort to support domestic violence victims in Champaign, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) has designated his district office for residents to drop off used cell phones.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Illinois and across the nation. To continue his advocacy of women and children’s rights and raise awareness of domestic violence, Bennett has partnered with Courage Connection in Champaign to receive cell phones, chargers, and other phone accessories to be collected throughout the month of October. Donated cell phones are given to people dealing with domestic abuse and are used as emergency 911 phones.

“Domestic violence is a community issue, and these shelters protect and support individuals trying to return to safety and stability while they recover from violence that can upend every part of their lives,” Bennett said. “Efforts like this are a way we can all support them.”

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Electronic devices keep us connected to the world and provide many essential services. Every day people find new ways to access our personal information and data from our devices, so it is important to keep up to date on the latest cybersecurity techniques to keep your information safe.

How can I keep my data safe?

• Password protection is the single most important thing you can do to keep your data safe.
• Use a unique password for each account.
• Do not include your name, your kids’ names or pets’ names in any password.
• Avoid using known information about you in your passwords.
• Use a combination of upper and lowercase characters.
• Keep your Internet browser and operating system up to date with the latest versions.
• Be cautious about any online offers.
• Monitor your online bank and credit accounts for unauthorized or suspicious spending.
• Talk with your family about the importance of cybersecurity.

CHICAGO – Metra representatives broke ground on a new train station at 79th Street and South Lowe Avenue this Monday morning after State Senator Jacqueline Collins successfully secured state funding for the facility.

Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of the planned station in the northeastern part of the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Collins said the station represents a new investment in the community.

“Today, I join with my neighbors, other elected officials and many civic leaders in looking forward with joy and hope to the construction and opening of the new station,” Collins said. “I sincerely believe that in years to come we will view this investment as a turning point in the renewal of this Southside neighborhood, whose flourishing will enrich us all.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler took the first steps toward a more inclusive business climate in Illinois as the Diversity Task Force on Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises met for the first time yesterday.

Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) were appointed to this task force earlier this month.

“I’m honored to have been selected as the chair of this task force composed of a truly remarkable group of people,” Koehler said. “It’s vital that we give opportunities to contribute to our state’s economy, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual identity, and I look forward to the progress we will make together.”

CHAMPAIGN – Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett hosted a Taiwanese delegation at his family farm on Sept. 24 in Ford County to celebrate the $2.2 billion commitment to purchase Illinois soybeans and corn over the next two years.

“Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans and corn,” Bennett said. “Earlier this summer, I met with Taiwan government officials and agricultural business leaders to talk about why they should purchase soybeans and corn from Illinois.”

Bennett said he wanted to personally introduce the delegation to Illinois agriculture. Illinois and Taiwanese associations signed two $1.1 billion agreements to purchase Illinois crops between 2020 and 2021.