By Rick Francis, State Representative PERRYVILLE – While we slept on Wednesday night February 23, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. While we slept the largest attack, the largest invasion occurred on a sovereign nation in Europe since WWII. Missiles and bombs rained down on Ukrainian cities. Columns of Russian troops poured across the […]
Russia Invades Ukraine Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – Due to the continued decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and increase in available ICU beds, the Illinois indoor mask requirement will end Monday, February 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. Since the Governor announced his plan to lift the indoor mask requirement, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 has been
Illinois indoor mask-mandate ends Monday Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following another murder of an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) employee, State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Representative Sandy Hamilton have filed new legislation designed to help these employees protect themselves. “It is legal for people to carry pepper spray for their own protection, as many do
DCFS workers will now carry pepper spray Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two Illinois legislators, State Senator Neil Anderson, 74th and Representative Dan Swanson, 36th, are pushing a new bill through the legislative process that would classify emergency dispatchers as first responders under Illinois code. “As a fireman I not only understand the stress dispatchers go through, but we rely on them a
Bill to classify dispatchers as first responders makes its way through committee Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – To further support families of Department of Child and Family Services workers killed in the line of duty, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) is championing a measure that will treat the death of a DCFS worker similar to the death of law enforcement officers. “In the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of Deidre
Measure protects families of DCFS workers killed in line of duty Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) applauds Senate passage of legislation to incentivize the in-state production of semiconductors, microchips, and their component parts amid a nationwide shortage that is impacting the availability of goods ranging from automobiles to cell phones. Named the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, SB 3917 would
IMA hails Senate passage of bill to incentivize semiconductor and microchip production Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – As school districts around the state continue struggling to fill teaching positions, Senate Democrats hosted a press conference in Springfield on Thursday announcing a number of legislative measures that would help address the void. “Illinois is facing an overall teaching shortage and an immediate staffing shortage in schools,” State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel
Illinois legislators seek to ease teacher shortage Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – As the country celebrates National Engineering Week, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC Illinois) has announced its 2022 ‘Prioritize Our Infrastructure’ Agenda. The agenda includes several pieces of legislation that will ensure Illinois’ physical infrastructure projects continue to be well-funded by the state and completed by the most qualified professionals in
Illinois engineers support policies to prioritize the state’s infrastructure Read More »
CHICAGO – Building on Illinois’ COVID-19 emergency housing assistance response, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced applications for homeowners financially impacted by the pandemic will be accepted beginning in April through the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program. ILHAF will provide up to $30,000 in free assistance per homeowner paid directly
$30,000 in housing relief for homeowners affected by COVID-19 Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader and Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, that would increase equity for low-income and minority students by expanding access to higher quality school meals across the state was approved by the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee this afternoon. The legislation, which has support from both sides of the
Legislation expands access to higher quality school meals Read More »
