Hastings-backed law will help protect consumers

SPRINGFIELD – Residents across the Southland will have a new law in place to protect them from annoying auto-renewal fees, thanks to the support of State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“We have all fallen victim to unclear auto-renewal fees,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This new law will now require companies to explicitly disclose their automatic contract renewal terms to increase transparency and ensure consumers know the terms of the services.”

Hastings served as a cosponsor on Senate Bill 328 which requires clear and conspicuous disclosures of a contract's automatic renewal terms. This includes items like whether the contract will continue until it is canceled, the deadline by which the consumer must cancel to avoid the automatic renewal fees, the amount of the recurring charges, along with other contract provisions.

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Hastings supports measure to ensure ethics in automated traffic enforcement

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings joined his colleagues in supporting legislation to establish ethical guidelines to address ongoing concerns regarding automated traffic enforcement.

“This new measure will ensure that there is accountability and ethical guidelines in place,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We need to ensure that our government officials are working with the best interests of the people they were elected to represent. This is a positive step in the right direction.”

Hastings served as a co-sponsor on House Bill 3903 which prohibits campaign contributions from contractors who provide the automated traffic enforcement equipment, political action committees created by a contractor and their affiliates.

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Hastings pleased to see plan to support people with developmental disabilities, Tinley Park

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings is pleased to see the Fiscal Year 2024 budget  signed into law on Wednesday will prioritize support for direct service providers, Tinley Park remediation efforts and historic levels of funding for area higher education facilities.

“Next fiscal year’s budget prioritizes the values and needs of the residents of the Southland,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “We are continuing to enact fiscal policies that uplift our communities, support the needs of residents and promote smart economic decisions.”

Hastings is encouraged to see the budget includes over $2 billion for services for people with developmental disabilities, including approximately $80 million to implement an accelerated timeline of changes following the Guidehouse rate recommendations beginning Jan. 1, 2024, including a $2.50 per hour wage increase for Direct Service Providers. As well as a $19.3 million to increase staffing by 330 at state developmental disabilities facilities.

“This is step in the right direction – however, the state has to continue to increase funding to support people living with disabilities and their loved ones,” Hastings said.

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Hastings works to increase college affordability

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings fought for a significant milestone in the expansion of the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program.

“This monumental legislation makes greater investments in our children,” said Hastings (D- Frankfort). “The cost of financing higher education can be overwhelming. The expansion of this grant program will help increase accessibility for middle class families at our state’s universities and colleges.”

House Bill 301 will make the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program permanent, increase transparency in the program to allow more students to take advantage of it, increase access for part-time students and make changes to the matching requirements for the public universities.

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