CHICAGO – Following the passage of a number of measures championed by members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus to crack down on rising crime on busy roads, the Illinois State Police announced the total number of Chicago expressway shootings is down 36% from this time last year.

“Commuters deserve to know they are safe when they use any of Illinois’ 15,969 miles of highways,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Allowing law enforcement to coordinate and address these crimes is the first step to protecting drivers.”

In the first six months of 2021 alone, there were 132 expressway shootings in the Chicago area. A need to keep Illinois drivers safe became more apparent with this rising number of crimes, leading to the proposal of legislation to expand the use of expressway cameras, give law enforcement more tools and technology to solve crime, and expand collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

The 36% reduction in shootings and 90% reduction in expressway homicides comes as the General Assembly passed a law to expand the Expressway Camera Act and provide law enforcement with additional crime-solving tools.

Aquino leads measure to ban assault weapons in Illinois

CHICAGO – Alongside Uvalde, Buffalo, and a sadly increasing number of cities across the nation, Highland Park joined the map of yet another town that was stricken by heinous gun violence at the hands of a person firing an assault weapon. Before more lives are tragically lost by the unnecessary ownership and usage of such weapons, State Senator Omar Aquino is pushing a measure to ban the sale and purchase of assault weapons.

“We cannot continue to sit silently while people’s parents, children, and friends get shot to death in masses at parades, grocery stores, and schools,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “I can’t fathom living in a state where my children have to constantly fear for their lives on a daily basis.”

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Senate Democrats announce $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funds for affordable housing preservation

CHICAGO – State Senators Mattie Hunter, Robert Peters and Patricia Van Pelt, who all represent communities across Chicago, recently announced conditional awards totaling nearly $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical improvements to 27 affordable housing developments throughout Illinois.

Awarded under the new Limited Rehabilitation Preservation Program the funds will preserve the safety and long-term stability of affordable rental housing for low-income households across the state. In all, more than 1,400 units of affordable rental housing will see vital repairs that will address code violations, resolve security issues and improve the health and safety of both the buildings and their residents.

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As crowds gathering on busy streets continues, Munoz takes action

CHICAGO – Street sideshows are becoming increasingly common in Chicago, halting traffic and creating dangerous situations for both bystanders and their vehicles alike. However, currently, there’s little action law enforcement officials can take against people participating. That will change come January when Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz’ law that prohibits street sideshows takes effect.

“It seems like every weekend we see another case of dozens – or even hundreds – of people gathering on busy streets and putting other people’s lives at risk,” said Munoz (D-Chicago). “Not only is it frustrating for people trying to travel down those roads, it’s frustrating for law enforcement officers who aren’t currently allowed to take action."

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Sound of the State: 9-8-8 Crisis Hotline

State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and David Albert, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Mental Health at the Illinois Department of Human Services, discuss the new 9-8-8 crisis hotline, in this episode of the Sound of the State.

Listen here.

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CHICAGO – Street sideshows are becoming increasingly common in Chicago, halting traffic and creating dangerous situations for both bystanders and their vehicles alike. However, currently, there’s little action law enforcement officials can take against people participating.

That will change come January when Assistance Majority Leader Tony Munoz’ law that prohibits street sideshows takes effect.

“It seems like every weekend we see another case of dozens – or even hundreds – of people gathering on busy streets and putting other people’s lives at risk,” said Munoz (D-Chicago). “Not only is it frustrating for people trying to travel down those roads, it’s frustrating for law enforcement officers who aren’t currently allowed to take action."

Munoz led House Bill 5439 during the spring legislative session. The law defines a street sideshow as any event in which one or more cars block or impede traffic to perform unauthorized motor vehicle stunts, motor vehicle speed contests, or motor vehicle exhibitions of speed.

CHICAGO – Alongside Uvalde, Buffalo, and a sadly increasing number of cities across the nation, Highland Park joined the map of yet another town that was stricken by heinous gun violence at the hands of a person firing an assault weapon. Before more lives are tragically lost by the unnecessary ownership and usage of such weapons, State Senator Omar Aquino is pushing a measure to ban the sale and purchase of assault weapons.

“We cannot continue to sit silently while people’s parents, children, and friends get shot to death in masses at parades, grocery stores, and schools,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “I can’t fathom living in a state where my children have to constantly fear for their lives on a daily basis.”

First filed by Aquino in February 2021, Senate Bill 2510 would ban the sale and purchase of assault weapons and assault weapon attachments in Illinois. Assault weapons include semi-automatic firearms and rifles with belt feeds or detachable magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition.

SPRINGFIELD – Working families and teachers will see lower back-to-school shopping costs ahead of the start of the school year, thanks to an initiative led by the Senate Democratic Caucus.

“As a nod to our working parents, guardians and teachers in Illinois, lowering the tax rate on school supplies removes a burden when preparing for the academic year,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), lead sponsor of the initiative. “It’s my hope that by instituting a tax holiday, we can help relieve families and educators of some financial costs in order to prepare students for the upcoming school year.”

The law lowers the state tax rate on school supplies and eligible clothes and footwear from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14, 2022.

CHICAGO – Thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Celina Villanueva, undocumented residents 42 and older will now have access to Medicaid coverage. The new law that went into effect on July 1 expands the age group of individuals who qualify for Medicaid in the state.

“Everyone, regardless of citizenship status or income, deserves access to health care,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “The expansion of Medicaid benefits to this group of people is a substantial step in achieving true equity in our health care system in Illinois.”

Starting July 1, undocumented immigrant adults and certain legal permanent residents aged 42 and over may be eligible for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program. A measure signed into law in May expanded the program by lowering the age for eligibility from 55 to 42. 

Senator Cunningham and Representative Hurley lead legislation to end what some call “inhumane” scheduling practices at CPD

CHICAGO – In the last month alone, three Chicago police officers devastatingly lost their lives to suicide – leading wellness professionals to call the department’s practice of canceling days off as “inhumane.”

State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley are sponsoring measures to require the City of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week – a move they hope will lead to a better work-life balance and, in turn, help officers prioritize their mental health.

“The overwhelming stress officers face combined with a lack of time off has become detrimental to their mental health,” said Cunningham, who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest suburbs. “This practice of canceling days off isn’t just unfair, it’s harmful.”

Limited rehabilitation preservation program provides capital funds to renovate aging affordable housing stock across Illinois

CHICAGO – State Senators Mattie Hunter, Robert Peters and Patricia Van Pelt, who all represent communities across Chicago, recently announced conditional awards totaling nearly $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical improvements to 27 affordable housing developments throughout Illinois.

Awarded under the new Limited Rehabilitation Preservation Program the funds will preserve the safety and long-term stability of affordable rental housing for low-income households across the state. In all, more than 1,400 units of affordable rental housing will see vital repairs that will address code violations, resolve security issues and improve the health and safety of both the buildings and their residents.

"I am happy to announce these awards from the Rebuild Illinois Program, as some of our city's housing infrastructures are in deep need of rejuvenation," said Hunter. "At a time when the nation is seeing unprecedented housing insecurity, I am proud that elected officials and stakeholders could come together to give Illinois communities the revitalization and the accessibility needed to combat the housing crisis."