Latest Updates:
Manley-Backed Legislation Requiring More Oversight of Veterans Homes Passes Committee
JOLIET, Ill. – In response to the ongoing outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease at the Quincy Veterans Home, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is advancing a measure requiring the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide more information to legislators.
Scherer-Backed Measure to Increase Transparency Following Outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Passes Committee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following multiple outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy that resulted in the deaths of 13 people and sickened dozens more, State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, has spoken out about the lack of transparency provided by the Rauner administration and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In response, Scherer is sponsoring legislation that would increase transparency by requiring the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to submit a quarterly report to the General Assembly about the health and welfare of the residents at each Veterans’ Home.
Scherer Supports State Tax Credit for Union Dues
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to D.C. career politicians taking away federal tax credits for hard working union members who have used that money for their families, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, sponsored legislation that will create a state tax credit for any Illinois residents who pay union dues.
Crespo Aiming to Make it Easier for Seniors to Receive Property Tax Relief
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Older homeowners would no longer be required to reapply for property tax relief annually under legislation introduced by state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, easing the burden on senior citizens seeking to receive the Senior Homestead Exemption.
Hernandez Legislation to Protect Dreamers and Others from Being Denied Professional Licenses
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, has introduced legislation that will ensure that Dreamers and others are able to work in jobs that require state professional licenses and not be discriminated against.
Mussman Co-Sponsors Bill Forcing Governor to Quit Payroll Offshoring
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is backing an effort to prohibit Governor Bruce Rauner and all future governors from paying their office’s employees with funds intended for separate purposes, such as economic development, public safety and child protection.
Lilly Seeks to Obtain Livable Wages for Community Care Program Workers
CHICAGO – In an effort to provide better wages to Illinois’ in-home care workers, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation to increase the hourly wage for frontline in-home care workers to $15 an hour, up from the current average wage of $10.98 an hour.
Lilly Sponsors Measure to Bring Accountability to Governor’s Office
CHICAGO – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is demanding Gov. Rauner stop offshoring his employees’ salaries onto human service agencies and be more transparent in his office’s hiring practices.
Welch Urges Rauner to Nominate Maywood, Hillside as “Opportunity Zones” and Spur Economic Development
HILLSIDE, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is urging Gov. Rauner to nominate Maywood and Hillside as federally recognized Opportunity Zones to create new jobs and attract new businesses to these communities.
Stuart to Host I-Cash Event with Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, Help Residents Collect Unclaimed Property and Funds
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is hosting an I-Cash event on Thursday, April 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ceretto’s Pharmacy, located at 2700 N. Center St. in Maryville.
Harper Demands Fair Wages for In-Home Care Workers Caring for Elderly, Disabled
CHICAGO – To help put Illinois home care workers who care for the state’s most vulnerable residents on a path towards a living wage, state Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, is pushing legislation that would establish a $15 minimum wage for Community Care Program workers.
Stuart Invites Local Faith Leader to Deliver Invocation in House
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Rev. Dr. James R. Brooks of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Edwardsville delivered the opening invocation to the Illinois House of Representatives as a guest of state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.
Mussman Advances Proposal to Expand Access to Birth Control
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois women would be able to obtain birth control without a doctor’s visit under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, which passed the House Health Care Licenses Committee on Tuesday.
Kifowit Proposal Would Expire Old Parking Tickets
AURORA, Ill. – Working to relieve the financial burden of old parking tickets, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is pushing legislation that would expire parking tickets that municipalities are no longer pursuing and are older than seven years.
Scherer Encourages Residents to Share their Ideas on Cutting Wasteful Government Spending
DECATUR, Ill. – State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is highlighting a little-known opportunity for taxpayers to contribute suggestions of cost-saving measures within state government through the State Government Suggestion Award Board.
Welch Measure Raises Home Care Workers’ Take-Home Pay
HILLSIDE, Ill. – To ensure top quality services are granted for Illinois’ seniors and improve the lives of caregivers, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is demanding that the in-home care provider’s hourly wage be raised to $15 per hour.
Rep. Stuart’s Small Business Town Hall Brings Local Representatives, Businesses Together
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and the Metro East Small Business Development Center partnered for a small business town hall meeting to provide Metro East small business owners the opportunity to meet with their state representative and resource center to discuss issues facing local businesses.
Rep. Welch to Hold Employers Accountable for Wage Theft Using Property Liens
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to prevent employers from under-paying employees and shutting down business before a wage claim can be brought against them, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is fighting to pass a measure out of the House that allows a lien to be placed on the properties of these employers for the amount of wages owed.