- Details
- Category: Press Releases
TINLEY PARK – Throughout the current session, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) has fought to keep funding for mental health services intact despite the governor’s frequent budget cuts. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Mental Health America of Illinois recognized Hastings’ efforts and honored him as a local champion of mental health at their 28th annual Gold Bell Gala in Chicago.
“An investment in mental health services will always be a sound investment,” Hastings said. “Facilities and hospitals in my district demonstrate on a daily basis how investments made now can help to avoid more costs down the road and provide for a brighter future for these individuals.”
When mental health programs in his communities were targeted for cuts by the governor, Hastings responded by meeting with executives and recipients from Sertoma Centre and Illinois Mentor to explain his plan to fight the cuts and secure their funding.
Earlier this month, Hastings also voted to close a budget hole that threatened local mental health service providers.
Additionally, he has supported the following pieces of legislation that focus on mental health:
• Senate Bill 1549, which creates an income tax checkoff allowing individuals to make contributions to the Special Olympics in Illinois.
• Senate bill 2129, which provides funding for the home services program administered by the Department of Human Services.
• Senate bill 1249, which requires the governor’s office to identify important mental health services and create a strategy for financing their operations.
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
TINLEY PARK – As questions mount around the security of our digital data and identity information, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) has stepped in to support a measure calling for increased security standards.
The legislation requires a company that experiences a data breach to report it to the Attorney General’s office so that the breach may be included on a website that lists data breaches in Illinois.
“Whether it be a senior citizen or young adult, every single person has a wealth of information associated with them,” Sen. Hastings said. “These people need to know when their data could be at risk, and we need to ensure that the authorities know when something happens so that they can work to combat any further damage.”
The legislation also holds businesses accountable by requiring them to establish reasonable security measures to safeguard sensitive personal information and display privacy policies prominently on their websites and apps that collect personal information.
Senate Bill 1833 enables small businesses to notify local media, rather than state-wide media, when breaches occur.
The measure passed the Senate by a 35-13 vote and now moves to the House for consideration.
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
TINLEY PARK – In an effort to correct the funding shortfall that the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) faces, State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) spoke in support of the proposed legislation.
"If this crisis prolongs any further child care facilities will be forced to close their doors and simply stop providing their services," Hastings said. "Parents will be forced to quit their jobs or stop their pursuit of an education to lift themselves out of poverty, we can not let that happen."
- Details
- Category: Press Releases
TINLEY PARK – Following the governor's budget address, Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) offered his opinion on the budget plan.
"I give the governor credit for trying to tackle the budget woes of Illinois in the first few months in office," Hastings said. "I would like to support the governor on some of his initiatives regarding early childhood education and fixing the dangerous conditions for our state correctional officers."
More Articles …
Page 60 of 73