CHICAGO – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, issued the following statement:

“As a strong advocate for education, I stand in solidarity with our hardworking teachers and staff, as they fight for better schools and educational opportunities for Chicago students.

“The status quo is not acceptable, children in Chicago deserve better. They deserve a nurse and counselor in each and every school; they deserve libraries and librarians in every school; they deserve smaller class sizes; they deserve more special education teachers; and they deserve more bilingual teachers and classrooms.

“Our teachers and staff deserve a fair contract, with guarantees to improve our neighborhood schools clearly written out. We owe it to the children of this city to come together and reach a solution that creates better educational opportunities for each and every student at CPS.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – College athletes would receive their fair share of the revenue schools make off of them under new legislation introduced by state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside.

“This measure is about equity and fairness to our college athletes, who have essentially been used to generate massive profits for their schools, without receiving a dollar in return,” Welch said. “My bill ends that discriminatory practice and allows these students to share in the profits they are creating.”

Welch is sponsoring House Bill 3904, the Student Athlete Endorsement Act, which would allow college student athletes attending any of Illinois’ four-year public or private universities to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness. The bill follows a national groundswell to allow college athletes to earn money this way, while their university and athletic organizations benefit from college athletes. California has just enacted legislation to fairly compensate student-athletes.  

Welch’s prevents athletic associations, like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), from imposing and executing long-standing rules that would ban colleges from competing in collegiate sports if universities allowed their athletes to earn money from the use of a student’s name, image and likeness.

“The rules that athletic associations like the NCAA are arbitrary and should not be the governing principles of college sports that both restricts athletes from just compensation but threatens universities from participating in sports,” said Welch. “Illinois should join California, and the other states considering similar laws, to demand change and to treat its college athletes with the respect and justice they deserve.”

DECATUR, Ill. – To help connect local job seekers to new career opportunities, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is partnering with Workforce Investment Solutions to offer a free community job fair on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 520 E North St. in Decatur.

“As I continue my efforts to build a stronger Illinois that puts middle-class families first, it’s important to me that I help local job seekers by hosting events like this job fair that will help residents gain full-time employment.” Scherer said. “Connecting residents with good-paying jobs helps build a stronger middle-class, which in turn lifts the entire state’s economy,”

Scherer’s free community job fair will give will give job seekers the opportunity to speak one-on-one with potential employers, receive information about resources for the unemployed and underemployed, and submit their resumes in person. Attendees are encouraged to bring a government-issued ID and an updated resume

“I encourage any resident that is looking for a job to come on by and meet with the many employers in our community that will be attending,” Scherer said. “I’d like to thank Workforce Investment Solutions and all the businesses attending for their help in putting together this valuable resource fair for our community.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s office at 217-877-9636 or staterepsue@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A coalition of business and labor leaders is applauding state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, for her commitment to creating jobs and revitalizing the economy by investing in stronger roads, bridges and other key economic drivers.  

“I worked across the aisle to pass a major infrastructure investment bill because business and labor groups are telling us that is what we need to drive economic growth in Illinois,” Hernandez said. “Ensuring we have a sound infrastructure is one of many steps I am taking to build a safer and stronger Illinois for everyone I represent. I am grateful for this recognition from the Transportation for Illinois Coalition.”

Hernandez received the Transportation For Illinois Coalition’s “Friend of Infrastructure Award” for her work with a diverse coalition of groups – including the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and major labor organizations – to pass a $45 billion investment package that will rebuild Illinois’ roads, bridges and railways, while creating an estimated 500,000 new jobs. The coalition consisting of contractors, unions, chambers of commerce and local governments, was formed to highlight the role of infrastructure investment in economic development.

Hernandez’s vote to rebuild Illinois’ infrastructure followed a report released by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce which found that failing roads are costing taxpayers $16.4 billion every year, with wear and tear, flat tires and emergency repairs taking $627 from every suburban motorist every year. Rather than continuing to throw this money away, Hernandez’s infrastructure plan invests in new, high-wage jobs and better roads.

“After Illinois’ recent history of dysfunction, the historic and bipartisan vote for infrastructure investment sends a strong and positive message to residents and taxpayers,” said Jennifer Morrison, managing director of the Transportation For Illinois Coalition. “Elected officials believe in Illinois and its future and are here to make sure investments that benefit all citizens are made in a responsible way. Thank you for your leadership!”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, passed a new law that updates current firefighter training policy to cover the history and impact of the labor movement. Yednock worked with the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois to pass this legislation.

“The history of the fire service labor movement is immense, and is something that should be known and cherished,” Yednock said. “New firefighter training will now include the significant impact that the labor movement had on firefighters across Illinois.” 

Yednock’s House Bill 2215 updates current minimum firefighter training requirements for full time public firefighters in the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act by including the history of the labor movement that benefitted Illinois firefighters. Prior to Yednock’s law, minimum requirements included training new firefighters on first aid practices and administering opioid blocking medication in emergency situations. His bill was signed into law by the governor and received bipartisan support.

“Illinois firefighters perform incredible work and make great sacrifices to keep communities safe,” Yednock said. “I will continue working with both Democrats and Republicans to make sure firefighters are honored for their valiant work.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is pushing to ensure cities and towns don’t pass laws which weaken unions and endanger workers’ access to safe, fair-paying jobs.

“Strong unions are the backbone of a workforce composed of good-paying, safe jobs and employers who treat their workers with respect and fairness,” Halpin said. “When unions are in secure negotiating positions, they keep hard-working Illinoisans safe from exploitation and ensure that our families can count on consistent salaries and benefits to maintain their middle-class lifestyle.”

Halpin is supporting Senate Bill 1474, or the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act, which prohibits any laws limiting union agreements with an employer. This is in response to a national debate over “right-to-work” laws that have come up in other states. These laws prohibit agreements requiring union membership as a condition of employment. “Right-to-work” laws often significantly weaken a union’s bargaining position, and weaken employee rights and benefits. Under those laws, workers can take advantage of all rights and privileges guaranteed to them by their union contract, but do not have to pay for that service, forcing the costs of those rights and privileges onto their fellow workers. The Collective Bargaining Freedom Act would prohibit local governments from imposing “right-to-work” laws, and so help unions maintain strong bargaining positions and enforce worker rights.

“If we let “right-to-work” laws come to Illinois, working families, especially union members will face significant and lasting setbacks,” Halpin said. “When unions get weaker, workers lose protection, and some employers will take advantage of that. Passing any so-called “right-to-work” law would undoubtedly lead to the loss of good jobs around Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, to allow firefighter academy graduates to receive a brief history of the labor movement for firefighters passed out of the House Labor and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support.

“The labor movement has been a driving force behind new advances in safety, better pay and benefits for firefighters in Illinois, and I think it’s important that new firefighters understand its importance,” said Yednock. “I’m proud to have worked with firefighters representing all parts of our state on a bill that can provide new education about how much the labor movement has done when it comes to keeping firefighters safe as they continue to serve our communities in some of the most difficult and dangerous times.”

House Bill 2215 allows for candidates to receive a brief presentation that provides them with a historical perspective on the labor movement in the fire service. The education also helps provide the information how the two major labor unions representing firefighters have been the driving force behind nearly every advance and improvement in fire and emergency services over the last 101 years.

“The AFFI is honored that Representative Yednock recognized the importance of including a brief educational presentation of labor history in the fire service in the curriculum for new firefighter recruits on Illinois,” said Chuck Sullivan, legislative representative for the Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI). “We appreciate his hard work ensuring the bill passed out of the House Labor committee.”

House Bill 2215 passed committee with bipartisan support and now awaits full passage on the floor of the Illinois House of Representative.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In recognition of his career of fighting for the rights of working men and women, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, will serve as a member of the House Labor and Commerce Committee during the 101st General Assembly, advocating for the rights of middle-class families.

“Serving on this committee offers a great opportunity to help connect my experience in fighting for the rights of local workers and families to the bill making process,” said Yednock. “This position will help allow me to be a strong voice for local families and ensure that we protect worker’s rights, fair wages, and safe working environments.”

In addition to serving on the Labor and Commerce Committee, Yednock will serve on the House Committees on Transportation: Vehicles and Safety, Insurance, Agriculture & Conservation, and Veterans’ Affairs. Yednock looks forward to hearing and passing important legislation through these committees to protect consumers, seniors, farmers, and veterans in his community.

“As we continue to find ways to help put our state back on track after the budget impasse, it’s important we ensure that the programs that local families rely on are protected,” said Yednock. “Throughout the 101^st General Assembly, I will continue to fight for what’s important to our region and serving on these committees helps ensure that Illinois Valley residents have the proper input on legislation as it affects them.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, will focus on rebuilding Illinois’ infrastructure and protecting the safety of travelers as the chairperson of the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee. 

“Our transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our economy, and touches on every aspect of our daily lives,” said D’Amico. “After four years of failure by former Governor Bruce Rauner, our infrastructure–from roads and bridges to rails and waterways–has suffered and this has imperiled the safety of travelers in Illinois. Now we have an opportunity and an obligation to rebuild our state.”

In his position as chairperson of the Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee, D’Amico will continue his commitment to bipartisanship stewardship of Illinois’ commuters, drivers and travelers. D’Amico previously led efforts to ban texting while driving in Illinois, worked with Secretary of State Jesse White to create a graduated driver’s license program to make sure new drivers have the proper training and supervision, and passed a law to require drivers to operate mobile phones in hands-free mode.

D’Amico was also named as vice-chairperson of the Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs and Labor & Commerce committees. 

“I am proud to serve on the Labor & Commerce Committee in order to fight for working families, raise the minimum wage and protect workers’ rights,” D’Amico added. “With the new administration we have a unique opportunity to move our state forward and lift up working families across Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This week, Assistant Majority Leader and state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, announced the committees he will serve on in the Illinois House of Representatives.

“It is an incredible privilege to serve as Assistant Majority Leader in the House,” Hoffman said. “While my appointment to serve in this role comes with a great deal of responsibility, it also provides new opportunities to address many of our most pressing issues.”

Hoffman has been appointed as the leader to a number of influential committees that will negotiate and oversee public policy proposals related to investment, civil and criminal law, labor and public utility issues. The committees which Hoffman will serve on are:

• Appropriations-Capital
• Judiciary-Civil
• Judiciary-Criminal
• Labor & Commerce
• Public Utilities

“I am committed to working openly and cooperatively with members of these committees to address our community’s top priorities,” Hoffman said. “Together, I am confident we can generate revenues, improve our outdated infrastructure, create jobs, and provide working families with opportunity.”