SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has new laws on the books to combat car hijackings, thanks to the support of State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) supported three bipartisan measures that were signed into law on Thursday that implement a multifaceted approach to fight this nationwide epidemic.

“The people across the South Suburbs deserve the right to live safely and securely without the fear of carjackings and violence on their way home from work or picking up their kids,” Hastings said. “These horrific crimes change people’s lives in a big way. These new laws will help combat this crisis and alleviate some of the financial and emotional stresses.”

The following measures were signed into law:

House Bill 3772 provides protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked. Under the new law, if a person receives a citation due to one of these camera violations, the court or hearing officer will be able to consider whether the vehicle was hijacked before the violation occurred or if the victim was not in control of or possession of the vehicle at the time of violation. 

House Bill 3699 will allow Metropolitan Enforcement Groups, or cooperatives of law enforcement, to work together to target carjackings. Further, it will allow the Metropolitan Enforcement Groups to receive state grants to assist in enforcement, and provide additional resources to law enforcement to target and capture these offenders.

House Bill 601 modernizes the definition of the possession of burglary tools offense to include devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key and devices designed to capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob.

According to a January report from CNN, cities around the country have seen an increase in the rate of carjackings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,800 carjackings were reported in Chicago last year, according to data released by police departments to CNN.

Hastings believes this is the start to help alleviate this nationwide trend and has taken it a step further by introducing Senate Bill 4205 which would require auto manufacturers to share electronic tracking information with law enforcement agencies in real-time by setting up a 24/7 hot line to facilitate the process.

"It's vital that we have technology to ensure law enforcement officials can track the carjackers that steal cars as they travel from point A from point B," said Hastings. "And we want to make sure that law enforcement officials have all the tools necessary to attack this problem."

He hopes to move forward with this legislation this fall.

House Bill 601, House Bill 3772 and House Bill 3699 go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

FRANKFORT – To keep kids’ minds engaged this summer, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is launching a Summer Book Club for children and young people who live in the 19^th State Senate District.

“Our goal is to help prevent summer slide during break by helping keep students sharp and ready for the fall,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “I’m excited to host the summer reading program again this year and hope to have even more participation than we did last year.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Hastings’ office by Aug. 19. Everyone who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and certificate from Hastings. 

Studies have shown that reading 20 minutes a day makes a huge difference in language and brain development, while also promoting a sense of empathy and interpersonal connection. 

“Summer slide” is the tendency for students to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Hastings hopes this program will help children get excited about reading.

“This program will help prepare students for the upcoming school year,” said Hastings. “I hope the reading club is something fun and educational that students can do during their summer vacation.”

To receive a book club form, click here to download and print the form. Parents can also call Hastings’ Frankfort office at 815-464-5431 to request a copy by mail.

Hastings urges interested residents to call his office with any additional questions.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois workers will soon have minimum guaranteed sick leave rights, thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. 

Hastings (D-Frankfort) is the sponsor of Senate Bill 645, which clarifies the Employee Sick Leave Act. Hastings’ law makes it clear the act is meant to be the minimum threshold of sick leave benefits for the purpose of collective bargaining agreements.

This measure clarifies a 2016 law that created the Employee Sick Leave Act and was supported by Hastings. The law – found within P.A. 99-841 – allows employees to use up to half of their previously granted sick time to tend to the medical needs of family members.

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure to create greater access to the MIA/POW Scholarship for children of veterans is now law in Illinois, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) sponsored Senate Bill 3762, which allows legally adopted dependents under the age of 18 at the time of adoption and step-children who were under the age of 18 at the time of marriage would be eligible for the MIA/POW Scholarship.

“This new law will provide support to families that have already made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation,” said Hastings. “Helping our heroes’ children obtain a college education is the least we could do to thank them for their service.”

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