SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) offered the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“This is a good starting point as we start budget negotiations,” Hastings said. “It is crucial that we remember to be cognizant of the recent federal assistance we received while crafting this year’s budget and use this time to prepare for when this assistance is no longer available.”

The budget proposal builds upon the state’s promise to allocate money toward the K-12 education evidence-based funding formula, and it increases funds for early childhood education, state universities, and career and technical education programs.

“Our educators have overcome severe struggles and made endless sacrifices to ensure our children are not left behind throughout this pandemic,” Hastings said. “We must continue to ensure students, educators and support staff have the necessary tools to be successful in our classrooms.”

Additionally, the proposed budget allocates additional funding for three cadet classes to hire and train 300 new troopers to address the rising need of law enforcement officers across the state, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area. There has been great progress made on addressing the historic FOID card backlog – and an additional $7 million in funding has been proposed to help ISP work toward eliminating the backlog altogether.

“The safety of our law enforcement officers should remain a priority,” Hastings said. “Every day police officers risk their lives to keep ourcommunities safe, now it is our turn to step up and give our law enforcement officers the assistance needed to do their jobs.”

Hastings looks forward to further budget negotiations to craft a responsible bipartisan budget that prioritizes the needs of families of the 19th District.

FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is reminding the residents of the fighting 19^th District to support local businesses this holiday season.

As families kick off their shopping this year, Hastings urges people to frequent local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27.

“When you support local businesses you are investing directly in our communities,” Hastings said. “These local dollars are going toward creating jobs for our friends and neighbors, and improving our roads, streets and bridges.

Forbes reported that 78% of the small businesses surveyed said holiday sales will impact their ability to continue business next year with more than half saying holiday sales need to be better or above average to succeed.

Hastings reminds residents there are a variety of different ways they can support area businesses, whether it is leaving a positive review for a restaurant or business, sharing, reposting or retweeting a businesses’ social media posts, buying gift cards for later, or ordering takeout or delivery.

“When you support small businesses, you are nurturing a successful local economy,” Hastings said. “Our communities would not be the same without small businesses. Let’s come together and look for ways to support them as they have supported our communities throughout the pandemic.”

For those interested in looking for ways to support small businesses this holiday season, visit https://www.sba.gov/saturday.

Hastings urges residents to reach out to his office at 815-464-5431 or visit www.SenatorHastings.com with questions and concerns.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined his colleagues in passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, a historic measure to preserve and create jobs in Illinois and incentivize electric vehicle manufacturers to create more jobs in the state.

Hastings helped champion House Bill 1769, which would provide a tax credit for manufacturers of electronic vehicles, parts, and power supplies. This new measure builds on Hastings’ work to make Illinois a leader in fighting climate change.

“This new measure sets up Illinois to tap into a new manufacturing industry,” Hastings said. “We are providing incentives to electric vehicle companies to set up shop in Illinois. These new good paying jobs will help grow our state’s economy and help us reduce global carbon emissions.”

Businesses in underserved areas would be eligible for a larger benefit. Underserved areas include communities with less than 100,000 population, retired fossil fuel plants, or closed mines.

The amount of training cost tax credits can increase if new employees are recent college grads, certificate holders or credential recipients from a college in Illinois.

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SPRINGFIELD – Airline employees may soon have sick time flexibility, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined members of the Senate to pass House Bill 106, which allows airline employees to use already-earned sick time to care for sick family members.

“For far too long, airlines have been forcing hard working employees to choose between their livelihood and the health and well-being of their family members,” Hastings said. “It is about time that airlines join the many nationwide corporations in supporting their employees and adopting humane work policies.”

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