News

Promoting the development and use of public green areas and trails with the help of local volunteers is the goal of a new law sponsored by Senator Chuck Weaver.

The law is aimed at protecting the integrity of the non-profit grant process, and makes a multitude of changes to the current grant processincluding a requirement that grant dollars are to be spent or distributed during the fiscal year for which they were appropriated.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation Monday, sponsored by State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) and State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), giving motorists the option to register their vehicles for more than one year at a time.

A new law seeks to increase Illinois seniors’ access to high-speed Internet and provide more convenience with permanent identification cards.

A package of legislation was signed this week to benefit Illinois farmers and ag businesses. With more than 72,000 farmers and 2,400 food manufacturers in the state, Illinois leads the nation in food processing, and ag commodities businesses produce $19 billion annually—and billions more is stimulated by ag-related industry.

New laws seek to give Illinois’ colleges and universities the necessary tools to keep some of the state’s most talented and brightest students in Illinois.

Legislation has been signed into law intended to better inform the public about pending actions of the Illinois Tollway Board, and give Illinoisans adequate advance notice of transportation projects reliant on large sums of Tollway user-fee dollars.

A new law seeks to protect Illinois families from contaminated water that could pose serious public health concerns, requiring gas storage field owners to notify local communities if natural gas leaks threaten to expose residents and businesses to contaminated water. The new law also mandates annual storage field inspections by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

All counties in Illinois will be able to establish stormwater commissions that can adopt plans and ordinances under legislation sponsored by State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner Aug. 10.

State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), and State Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem) are encouraging senior citizens to come to their free Senior Health Fair on Aug. 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Effingham Armory (1206 W Temple Ave.)

New laws were recently signed to reduce red tape, paperwork and regulations for real estate businesses—burdens that put business owners and Illinois at a disadvantage.

On Sunday afternoon, Governor Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 2225 which creates Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield license plates for Illinois veterans who earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal during their deployment. The bill was introduced into the Senate by State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and navigated the House with the help of chief co-sponsor State Representative Jerry Long (R-Streator).

State Senator Paul Schimpf will visit the White House in Washington, D.C. in September. His trips agenda will consist of a tour of the White House as well as a conference and discussion with key administration officials and policymakers.

State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) announced August 13 that he will ask Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) to give the appropriate Senate committee subpoena power, in order to force Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials forward if they continue their silence amidst numerous incidents of sexual abuse, harassment, and assault within CPS, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

A new state law will streamline veteran identification services and make it easier for homeless veterans to access needed medical benefits. Governor Bruce Rauner also approved legislation confirming Nov. 4th as GI Bill of Rights Day to pay tribute to the American Legion committee.

In response to the state’s ongoing teacher shortage, new laws intended to cut red tape for teachers and offer more teacher opportunities for military spouses, were recently signed into law. House Bill 5202 was also signed, creating a Youth Budget Commission charged with producing a year fiscal analysis of enacted state budget items that directly impact children and adolescents. 

Brewers will have more freedom to sell, purchase, expand, and store beer and cider, under recently signed House Bill 4897. The new law offers additional support to craft brewers, which is a growth industry in Illinois, by removing antiquated regulatory barriers that have stifled the growth of smaller craft brewers and limited beverage choices for consumers who visit their taprooms.

High school students will get a boost in educational opportunities, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) and signed by the Governor Aug. 10 at Richwoods High School in Peoria.

State Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) applauds the Governor on signing House Bill 4689, which improves upon the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA)—an initiative that Sen. Althoff played a large role in creating.

Lombard's Soaring Eagle Academy can soon begin transporting its K-8 students on its multi-purpose bus to off-site educational activities thanks to legislation, sponsored by State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard) and state Sen. Chris Nybo, (R-Elmhurst), that was signed into law on Friday, Aug. 3, by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Gov. Bruce Rauner followed through with his promise to bring state jobs back to the capital city with the signing of House Bill 4295. The legislation moves hundreds of state jobs to Springfield.

Fire departments in Illinois that need assistance purchasing emergency vehicles can now apply for a loan through the Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Programs. The Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Programs are designed to assist emergency personnel purchase vehicles they otherwise couldn't afford.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking proposals through the Safe Routes to School program for projects that help children walk and bike to school.

Addressing a growing need in the state of Illinois, State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) sponsored a new law that focused on reducing food waste and helping those in need.

A new Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission was created this week by a new law sponsored by Senator Pam Althoff (McHenry) designed to develop plans for celebrating the famous route’s 100th anniversary.