SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois National Guard will be sufficiently honored in death thanks to a piece of legislation, sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings, which passed the Senate earlier this week.

“The presentation of a flag, whether it’s a state flag or the American flag, to the families of fallen soldiers is a crucial tradition that dates back centuries,” Hastings said. “I am humbled by my colleagues’ approval on this measure, which will extend a time-honored privilege to our state’s fallen National Guardsmen and women.”

Under current law, members of the Illinois National Guard serving on federal duty or training status are to have a state flag presented to their next of kin upon their death, should they die while serving. Senate Bill 505 adds State Active Duty to this provision, ensuring that all who lose their lives in service of their state and country are properly memorialized.

“It is my hope that this gesture will ease some of the pain facing military families who have lost a loved one,” Hastings said.

This legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) passed legislation through the Senate Wednesday that would allow airline employees to use earned sick time to care for loved ones.

“Forcing hard-working individuals to make a choice between their livelihood and their family is morally bankrupt,” Hastings said. “Numerous corporations throughout America have figured this out, and it is time airlines follow suit.”

Hastings was inspired to lead the measure by two constituents, both  who 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.

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 FMLA 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.

Under Senate Bill 645, these airline employees would be able to use earned sick time to care for sick family members.

“Last night I had the privilege of watching the Illinois Senate vote in favor of the amended Sick Leave Act,” King said. “Having lost my husband in 2020, this bill means so much to me. Being able to use sick time to care for my ill husband would have meant being able to spend more time with him. I am thankful for Senator Hastings’ dedication to me, my family, and my coworkers throughout this fight and look forward to moving it through the House.”

This legislation will now be considered before the House.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure led by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) that would expand access to utility bill assistance programs passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday.

“The passage of this legislation should give hope to those who have seen skyrocketing utility bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hastings said. “By acting on this proposal, my colleagues made the choice to give those struggling a chance to get back on their feet.”

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

The legislation also encourages the PIPP program to spend at least 80% of its available annual funding and double the 2020 program participation by 2024.

“Providing those who have fallen on hard times with a lending hand is one of the most critical steps we can take to successfully move forward into a post-COVID-19 world,” Hastings said. “That cannot happen if the people these programs are designed to help are unaware of the opportunity.

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.

This legislation now moves to the House for additional consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly Wednesday for a press conference to discuss legislation aimed at modernizing the Firearms Owner Identification card procurement process.

“The modernization of government services is an ongoing, but necessary process,” Hastings said. “We are undertaking this initiative because of the belief that responsible gun owners should not be penalized due to those who have taken advantage of the existing system,” Hastings said. “By bringing this system into the 21st Century, we can remove burdens from law-abiding gun owners and give law enforcement the ability to hold bad actors accountable.”

Senate Bill 1165, an initiative of the ISP, would make significant changes to make the FOID process more efficient, including:

• Creating a prohibited persons portal to help law enforcement identify people whose FOID cards have been revoked,
• Allowing for the automatic renewal of FOID cards for people who have valid concealed carry licenses or have voluntarily submitted fingerprints in situations where the ISP does not find the licensee ineligible.
• Permitting the use of electronic FOID cards and concealed carry licenses that can be displayed on a mobile phone or electronic device,
• Establishing a review board to respond to revocations and denials quickly.

“Our goal is to ensure that we are keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselvesand others,” said Koehler, who is the legislation’s lead sponsor. “Our goal is not, however, to hassle safe, responsible gun owners. Through the modernization and streamlining of the FOID card process, I believe we can successfully accomplish both of our objectives.”

This legislation has been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee and could be heard in the following weeks.