Hastings, Martinez join to promote transparency in Cook County government

CHICAGO – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Y. Martinez for a press conference Wednesday to discuss shared legislative efforts to restore public trust and increase transparency in Cook County government.

“A government’s job, first and foremost, is to serve in the best interest of the public,” Hastings said. “That means it is our responsibility to make more public records available so those in office are held to the highest possible ethical standard. I am humbled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Clerk Martinez on this legislation and to further the dialogue in Springfield on increased government accountability and transparency.”

“We strongly believe the public has the right to know how public dollars are being spent, and more importantly, that they have access to that information,” Martinez said. “Including the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office under the Local Records Act makes sure that information remains public even after my tenure as the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook Country.”

Senate Bill 583 would include the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County under the Local Records Act, providing greater transparency to the public regarding how the clerk’s office uses its public funds. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is a non-judicial office of the judiciary, and not a local government or public body currently subject to FOIA.

Additionally, the legislation requires all clerks of circuit courts to accept credit card payments over the internet for fines, penalties, court costs, and other costs, providing convenience for a county’s citizens when paying fines and fees.
 
This legislation will be considered before the Senate in the coming weeks.

Hastings pushes to provide sick time flexibility for airline employees

CHICAGO – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined with several airline employees for a press conference Thursday to advocate for legislation that would give those employees the chance to use earned sick time to care for sick family members.

“Today marks the next step in our fight to make sure those hard-working folks who go above and beyond to make travel seamless are able to use their earned sick time to help loved ones in need,” Hastings said. “This is, quite simply, the right thing to do for working families in Illinois.”

Hastings was inspired to lead the measure by two residents of the district he represents, both of whom are flight attendants for Southwest Airlines. Corliss King’s husband was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in 2017 and was hospitalized several times, receiving various surgeries that left him in need of care at home. Corliss was able to use her own accrued sick time to help care for her husband and children until 2017 when a law was passed that removed coverage for airline employees.

“In the event of a personal family emergency, airline workers are currently forced to choose between caring for a sick family member and earning their paycheck. To me, there should not be professional consequences for having a family that needs us just because you chose the airline industry as a career. We aren't looking for special treatment, just equal treatment for all Illinois workers. It is the right thing to do."

Susan Lyons has a similar story. When her brother, a single father, suffered a heart attack, was pronounced dead, and revived but in a stable coma, Susan was forced to take unpaid Family Medical Leave Act leave, rather than use any of the 300+ sick hours she had accrued on the job. She lost over a month of income during the time she was caring for her brother and his child.

“Our loved ones deserve to know that we can be there for them in their time of need without risking our careers,” Lyons said. “We are not asking for much.”

Senate Bill 645 passed the Senate Labor Committee on March 18 and will be considered before the Senate in the coming weeks.

Hastings leads on expanding access to utility bill relief programs

FRANKFORT – A measure led by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) that would expand access to utility bill assistance programs passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee Thursday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic forced many working families into untenable situations with skyrocketing energy bills they cannot afford,” Hastings said. “As a public servant, I take the responsibility to safeguard the livelihood of our most vulnerable residents very seriously, and I believe the legislature has the chance to do so by acting on this proposal.”

Under Senate Bill 265, families above 60% of the Illinois median income level would be ineligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Additionally, the legislation establishes a priority application period for households with children under age 6 and extends LIHEAP and PIPP availability to all eligible low-income residents.

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and Percentage of Income Payment Plan offer bill payment assistance to low-income residential utility customers by helping eligible households pay for their gas and electric utility service. Both programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCEO).

“Unfortunately, too many working families are slipping through administrative cracks or are unaware of the assistance available to them,” Hastings said. “By expanding and promoting these programs, we can give those struggling the chance to emerge from this pandemic stronger.”

This legislation now awaits consideration before the Senate.

Senator Hastings announces $97 million in additional funding for local schools

FRANKFORT – School districts in the 19^th District are set to receive $97 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) says this funding will jumpstart the state’s recovery efforts.

“For just over a year, teachers, students, and parents have worked diligently through less than ideal learning conditions,” Hastings said. “By robustly investing in broadband infrastructure, addressing our students’ mental health needs and retaining quality educators, we can give our kids the ability to grow and jumpstart the state’s recovery process, despite the unfortunate circumstances of the past year."

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

• Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 - $16,502,652
• Arbor Park School District 145 - $2,831,311
• Community Consolidated School District 146 - $4,341,454
• Elementary School District 159 - $6,917,056
• Country Club Hills School District 160 - $7,188,682
• Matteson Elementary School District 162 - $10,347,724
• Rich Township High School District 227 - $9,704,306
• New Lenox School District 122 - $1,476,819
• Mokena School District 159 -$974,967
• Summit Hill School District 161 - $1,320,568
• Lincoln Way CHSD 210 - $1,637,916
• Consolidated High School District 230 - $15,281,735
• Bremen Community High School District 228 - $13,781,814
• Kirby School District 140 - $4,740,875
• Union School District 81 - $351,091

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“With the state’s vaccination efforts increasing, the COVID-19 pandemic nearly behind us, our focus must be shifted to recovery,” Hastings said. “I am confident this funding will give our school districts the relief necessary to move forward after a turbulent time.”

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.