TINLEY PARK – Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) released the following statement in response to the Attorney General’s request to terminate the injunction in place to allow state workers to be paid in absence of a budget:

“The political games need to stop. If Governor Rauner actually cared about protecting our state employees and making Illinois kind or compassionate, we wouldn’t be starting year three without a budget in place. It’s time to lead, not hide behind the latest empty promise.”

SPRINGFIELD- Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) released the following video in response to the governor's state of the state address:

SPRINGFIELD- To protect Illinois’ democratic values, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) introduced legislation to revive the investigation on Russia’s deliberate interference in America’s presidential elections.

Hastings introduced Senate Resolution 94 urging the federal government to complete their investigation and inform the American people on the unprecedented security breach that may have influenced the outcome of the Presidential Election.

“Russia should not have any influence on the destiny of the American people,” Hastings said. “Elections are a sacred practice established by our founding forefathers to advance our democracy and protect our nation’s independence.”

Senate Resolution 94 urges a bipartisan investigation by Congress and supports the call for a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) to determine the extent of Russian intervention in the 2016 presidential elections.

Hastings finds it appalling that the facts have not been laid out for the people of Illinois.

“As a nation, we need to take all necessary action to disarm our adversaries and protect the heart of democracy- our elections,” Hastings said.

In July of 2016, the Illinois State Board of Elections reported an attack that targeted the Illinois Voter Registration System Database.  

Hastings introduced Senate Resolution 93 to require the Illinois State Board of Elections to produce a final comprehensive report outlining the nature of the breach, system audits and an outline of all preventative measures to ensure similar cyber interferences never happen again.

“We cannot allow this attack on democracy to go unresolved,” Hastings said. “The citizens of Illinois deserve to not only be informed on this breach of trust but be reassured the proper steps were taken to guarantee this will never happen again.”

Senate Resolution 93 and Senate Resolution 94 will be heard in the Senate this legislative session.

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) released the following statement in response to Governor Rauner’s state of the state address:
 
“Governor Rauner’s speech is full of empty promises. He continues to strip away the dignity of our most vulnerable populations – the disabled, elderly and those suffering from mental illnesses. Citizens across Illinois have lost hope due to his inaction. While serving our great nation overseas, I learned what it means to stand  for something and now is the time, Governor, for you to define your moral character and stand up for working class families.  Your failure to lead will cause our state to fail. ”