Latest Updates:
Mason Introduces Veterans Bill of Rights Act
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Veterans and returning military members would have better access to health care, employment and other services and opportunities under proposed legislation from state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee. To expand on this legislation, Mason will address efforts to establish a Veterans’ Bill of Rights and its intended impact at Mission BBQ located at 6430 Grand Ave. #101 in Gurnee on Friday, March 6 at 2 p.m.
Buckner Creates Task Force to Address Violence Against Chicago Women and Girls
CHICAGO – New legislation by state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, aims to address violence against women by creating a Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Task Force. This task force would analyze rates of violence, underlying societal factors, and current institutional responses to create effective policy solutions to better address violence against women and girls in Chicago.
Scherer Bill to Waive Plate Registration Fees for Families of Fallen Service Members
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill sponsored by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, allowing family members of fallen war heroes with special military vanity license plates to forgo paying registration fees passed out of a House transportation committee last week.
Mason to Hold Civic Engagement Poster Contest
GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, will be accepting submissions throughout the month of March for her civic engagement poster contest, open to kindergarten through high school students to inspire youth community engagement.
Jones Supports Task Force to Crack Down on Domestic Violence, Produce New Solutions for Unsafe Living Situations
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is taking steps to protect women from domestic violence and crack down on offenders with his support of legislation creating the Domestic Violence Task Force.
Walker-Backed Bill to Create Task Force Addressing Domestic Violence
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To better help those who may be at risk or victims of intimate partner violence, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, recently added his support to House Bill 4262 creating a Domestic Violence Task Force.
Scherer Introduces Bill to Address Substitute Teacher Shortages
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, recently introduced a bill to allow retired teachers to act as substitutes for school districts experiencing substitute teacher shortages, without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.
Rep. Hernandez Fighting to Expand Gun Safety Protections
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is working to get guns out of dangerous hands by backing legislation to expand the list of people who can file for a firearm restraining order to include employers, coworkers and teachers.
Slaughters Partner with Local Elected Officials for a Black History Month Celebration
CHICAGO – State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently partnered with local elected officials and organizations to host a Black History Month Celebration.
LaPointe Files Package of Legislation Supporting Individuals with Special Needs
CHICAGO – Continuing in her efforts to advocate for individuals with special needs, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, filed a package of legislation to make educational opportunities more accessible to students with intellectual disabilities.
Buckner Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Backs Bi-Partisan Bill
CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is backing bi-partisan legislation to create the Domestic Violence Task Force aimed at analyzing current Illinois statute in order to create effective policy solutions to better support victims and survivors of domestic violence.
State Rep. Hernandez Raises Awareness of Escalating Higher Education Costs, Necessity of Financial Aid Opportunities
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is working to combat rising higher education costs and raise awareness of the increasing financial burden colleges and universities place on students by introducing a resolution declaring May 29, 2020 as College Savings Day.
Manley Measure to Expand Reporting of School Employee Sex Offenses Signed by Governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To better protect children and increase awareness of situations involving school employees under investigation for sex offenses, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently passed a new law to increase reporting of sex offense prosecutions involving school employees.
Latino Caucus Condemns Racist GOP Rhetoric
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to the Republican attempts to misrepresent legislation preventing the extrajudicial detention of immigrants:
LaPointe Introduces Bill Advocating for First Responders Workers’ Comp. to Cover PTSD
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This past week, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, introduced legislation allowing first responders to file workers’ compensation claims to coverage post-traumatic stress. If passed, this measure would expand workers’ compensation for all Illinois firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.
Stuart to Hold Women’s Supply Drive
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To ensure local women and girls have sufficient access to feminine hygiene products, state Rep. Katie Stuart is collaborating with the Soup-n-Share Outreach Program to host a supply drive for feminine hygiene products. The supply drive will be held throughout the month of March, in honor of Women’s History Month. There will be a donation box at Stuart’s constituent service office, located at 2105 Vandalia St. Unit #16 in Collinsville, as well as at the Soup-n-Share at 5 Caine Drive in Madison.
LaPointe, Martwick Team Up to Co-Host Upcoming Women’s Self-Defense Class
CHICAGO – State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, is teaming up with Sen. Rob Martwick, D-Chicago, to co-host an upcoming Women’s Self-Defense Class. The class is free and open to the community. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pope Francis Global Academy located at 6143 W. Irving Park Road.
Hoffman Leads Initiative to Remove Standardized Test Scores from College Applications
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To expand higher educational opportunities, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is sponsoring new legislation to remove the condition that college applicants submit scores to standardized tests like the ACT or SAT.