SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) was named to Senate President Don Harmon’s leadership team as the Majority Caucus Whip Tuesday.

“I am deeply humbled President Harmon has given me the distinct honor of serving on his leadership team,” Hastings said. “I have no doubt that under his leadership we will continue down the right path as we move into the next part of the 101st General Assembly.”

“While we accomplished monumental tasks in 2019, we have our work cut out for us in 2020. First and foremost, the inexcusable culture of corruption and greed in Springfield must end. As elected officials, it is our duty to live up to the oath we took to serve our constituency, and that mandate should not be taken lightly by anyone.”

Hastings’ top priorities for the 2020 legislative session include:
• Investing in clean energy infrastructure
• Continuing to improve mental health care programs
• Increasing efficiency and coordination between state and local government
• Fully funding early childhood education and investing in K-12 programming
• Passing a balanced, bipartisan budget

Hastings has served the 19th Legislative District since 2012, when he was elected as one of the youngest Senators in state history. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to pass legislation with the goal of improving the social and financial climate of the state of Illinois.

 SPRINGFIELD – Following the election of a new Senate President, Senator Michael E. Hastings offered the following statement:

“I want to congratulate President Harmon on the outcome of today’s election. During his time in this chamber, he has demonstrated the ability to lead on important issues and work with our colleagues to achieve a consensus on how to best serve the people of this state,” Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said. “With the spring legislative session quickly approaching, I am eager to move forward and get to work under his leadership.”

Lawmakers will return to Springfield on Jan. 28 for the beginning of the spring legislative session.

“With the implementation of the Rebuild Illinois plan, clean energy reform, continuing the March to Mental Health and working toward solutions to the serious property tax issues we face, these next several months will be crucial for our state,” Hastings said. “I have no doubts that under President Harmon’s leadership, we will accomplish all of these things and much more.”

SPRINGFIELD – To help Will County residents stay warm during the winter, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is partnering with fellow lawmakers to launch a winter clothing drive.
From Nov. 25 to Dec. 13, local and state elected officials will work to provide organizations throughout the region with the necessary goods that benefit Will County residents.

“The winter months in the South Suburbs are brutal and unforgiving,” Hastings said. “Those who struggle to come by adequate winter gear know this fact better than anyone, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to ensure that anyone who is in need has access to the clothing necessary to stay warm this winter.”

Organizations are in need of all sizes of gently used or new winter gear including coats, socks, sweatshirts, scarves, gloves and more.

Hastings joins State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), who spearheaded this initiative.

“Seniors, children and veterans in our own communities may struggle to afford the proper winter gear to survive the season,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “For you it may be a simple gesture, but to our neighbors who need an extra helping hand, it may mean the world.”

Hastings urges residents to drop off donations at the following sites:

• State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ Office (20855 S. LaGrange Rd., Suite 102, Frankfort)
• State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s Office (15300 Rt. 59, Unit 202, Plainfield)
• State Senator Napoleon Harris’ Office (1350 E. Sibley Blvd., Suite 403, Dolton)
• State Senator John Curran’s Office (7501 Lemont Rd., Suite 315G, Woodridge)
• State Senator Patrick Joyce’s Office (270 Main St., Park Forest)
• State Senator Pat McGuire’s Office (16151 Weber Rd., Suite 103, Crest Hill)
• State Senator Sue Rezin’s Office (1421 N. Division St., Morris)
• Plainfield Village Hall (24401 W. Lockport St., Plainfield)
• Channahon Village Hall (24555 S. Navajo Dr., Channahon)
• Romeoville Village Hall (1050 Romeo Rd., Romeoville)
• Crest Hill City Hall (1610 Plainfield Rd., Crest Hill)
• Mokena Village Hall (11004 Carpenter St., Mokena)
• Wilmington City Hall (1165 S. Water St., Wilmington)
• Rockdale Village Hall (79 Moen Ave., Rockdale)
• Lockport City Hall (222 E. 9th St., Lockport)
• Manhattan Village Hall (260 Market Pl., Manhattan)
• Joliet City Hall (150 W. Jefferson St., Joliet)

The winter clothing drive will benefit the Will County Veterans’ Assistance Commission and other organizations in the region.

SPRINGFIELD – A resolution designating Nov. 1, 2019 as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day was adopted by the Senate today.
State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is the Senate sponsor of the resolution.

“Many of those who fought valiantly for their country in Vietnam were wrongfully met with scorn and disdain upon their return home,” Hastings said. “These brave individuals deserve the utmost respect and recognition for their service, as they have seen and experienced things that a precious few can even remotely imagine.”

House Joint Resolution 15 establishes Vietnam Veterans Day in Illinois. It also urges all Illinoisans to show support for Americans who have served their country, and for the governor and Secretary of State to lower all flags within their purview to half-staff on Nov. 1, 2019.