ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Legislation backed by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, that requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to develop a special certification program for school resource officers will take effect after the new year.

“With violence in schools occurring more often, the safety and wellbeing of our students is more important than ever,” Connor said. “By requiring a specific training program to be developed to aid school resource officers, we’re taking more steps to ensure that our children feel safe and happy in their schools.”

Senate Bill 2925, co-sponsored by Connor, provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board create or approve a training program for school resource officers that covers subjects such as child and adolescent psychology, youth mental health, trauma intervention, conflict resolution and child abuse prevention. The program must consist of at least 40 hours of training, and will require recertification every four years.

“By allowing our school resource officers to be better equipped to handle the needs of our students, we’re creating a safe space and a better environment for children and adolescents to learn and develop social skills,” Connor said. “I’m hopeful that this training will improve the safety of the schools in our community and give our students the resources they need to be happy and healthy.”

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – In response to concerns of potential water contamination from coal ash ponds from a local power generating facility, state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is engaging the facility’s owners, local leaders and state agencies to ensure that local drinking water is safe.

“I originally learned about the potential dangers of the coal ash ponds present in my district after meeting with Prairie Rivers Network advocacy group last year,” Connor said. “I appreciated the meeting because they informed me of the issues of coal ash disposal in the power generating industry, and how renewable energy could help address them.”

According to reports put together by the Environmental Integrity Project, ponds located at the NRG facility in Romeoville are no longer sufficiently lined to store coal ash and may be a source of contamination. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, through the office of the governor, is responsible for creating the guidelines for coal ash storage and disposal. In August, a federal appeals court ruled that the current guidelines were not adequate to protect watersheds and that energy companies needed to upgrade to more environmentally friendly storage and disposal practices. As a result, Connor is advocating for investments in renewable energy and improved environmental guidelines under the incoming Pritzker administration.

“After recently meeting with NRG, who have been proactive on this topic, and the village of Romeoville to discuss the coal ash ponds and water contamination, it is clear that significant change in the handling of coal ash is coming,” Connor said. “I’m hopeful that the new administration will implement policies to protect our environment, while looking long term by choosing to invest in renewable energy sources. Coal has been an important part of our local energy infrastructure, but we need to make sure that we are vigilant on its environmental impact.”

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – To help make her office more easily accessible to area residents, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, will be hosting satellite office hours in Romeoville on Monday, March 19.

“Not everyone may be able to visit my constituent service office in Joliet, so I make it a priority to host satellite office hours throughout the 98th district,” said Manley.  “I want to be as accessible as possible for local residents that need assistance with state-related issues, or those that would like to share their perspectives on any issue facing our state.”

Manley’s Romeoville satellite office hours will be on Monday, March 19 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Romeoville Village Hall, located at 1050 W. Romeoville Rd.  The meeting is open to the public.

“Hearing the thoughts and concerns of my constituents is a priority for me, and satellite office hours gives people an opportunity to meet with me one-on-one and to have important conversation,” continued Manley.  “I encourage you to stop by to share your ideas with me on how we can all work together to get Illinois back on the right track.  I hope to see you there!”

For more information, please contact Rep. Manley’s constituent services office by calling 815-725-2741 or emailing RepManley@gmail.com.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Representative Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently hosted her monthly satellite office hours at Grand Haven, bringing the community together to discuss issues facing the state of Illinois and her upcoming legislative agenda.

Residents shared insights and concerns regarding local issues. Manley highlighted two bills she is spearheading that will address highway safety through increased signage on local expressways, and discussed ideas to address changing traffic patterns related to upcoming road projects in the district.

“As state Representative, it is so valuable for me to hear the thoughts and concerns of the people that I represent,” said Manley.  “By having direct conversations with my constituents about the tough issues facing our state, we are able to discuss how we can work together to solve them.  Thank you to everyone who attended my Grand Haven satellite office hours!”

For more information about upcoming local satellite office hours, please contact Manley’s constituent service office by calling 815-725-2741, or emailing RepManley@gmail.com.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – In a Public Safety Roundtable discussion hosted last week by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, police chiefs, fire chiefs, officers and other law enforcement personnel discussed the safety and security of the community.

“The public safety leaders I had the chance to meet with at our Law Enforcement Roundtable last week are the most dedicated group of individuals committed to making our communities safe,” Connor said. “They are on the front lines every single day, and have a unique and invaluable perspective on how the state legislature can work with local public safety officials to improve the quality of life and safety of local residents. As a former county prosecutor, I’ve spent most of my career working hand-in-hand with law enforcement. I’m eager to continue that tradition as State Representative.”

Connor’s discussion with law enforcement was held at his constituent office where the group discussed state police funding, body cameras, and the prospect of marijuana legalization, in addition to approaches that should be pursued to improve safety and security throughout communities in the 85^th district.