Senator Stadelman's Weekly Bulletin - August 29, 2019

State releases $14.7 million owed to Rockford airport

Money was delayed for years during Rauner administration 

State Senator Steve Stadelman announced last week the release of  $14.7 million that has been held up for years for improvements at the Rockford airport. Making good on the state's funding commitment had long been a priority for Stadelman, who worked to include the $14.7 in this year's budget. 

 

"Our airport is major driver of economic development in the region," Stadelman said. "It is important the state honor its commitment, as the airport continues to expand operations and grow in prominence."

The funding had been promised for the airport's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, but never materialized after Bruce Rauner became governor and Illinois endured a paralyzing two-year budget impasse. The airport took out commercial loans to finish construction of the MRO at a cost of up to $100,000 in monthly interest payments.

Stadelman commends Gov. JB Pritzker for helping resolve the issue and Comptroller Susana Mendoza for releasing the funds.

Sexual harassment reforms, minimum teacher salary signed into law 
Stadelman co-sponsored workplace protections
Private-sector workers who experience sexual harassment and discrimination will have greater protections under the law thanks to a major piece of legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that recently was signed into law.

Stadelman called the legislation a "just and proactive" response to the many victims, advocates and members of the business community who offered testimony during the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness and Prevention's hearings last year.

Among the reforms: 

• Limiting the use of contract provisions intended to prevent an employee from reporting sexual harassment, such as non-disclosure agreements, arbitration clauses and non-disparagement clauses for cases involving harassment, discrimination and retaliation
• Clarifying that it is illegal to discriminate against an employee who is perceived to be part of a protected class (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity), even if they are not
  
• Allowing victims of gender-related violence to take unpaid leave from work to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning and other assistance
• Requiring hotels and casinos to provide employees who work in isolated spaces with panic buttons for use if they are sexually harassed or assaulted
  

Minimum salary increase first for teachers since 1980 

Teachers will see an increase to their minimum salary under a new law supported by State Senator Steve Stadelman and signed last week by Gov. JB Pritzker, the first time Illinois has addressed base wages for educators since 1980. Stadelman said House Bill 2078 is one way to confront a serious statewide teacher shortage.

House Bill 2078 will raise the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 over a four-year period from the current $10,000 for entry-level educators with bachelor's degrees. Wage increases will be tied to the Consumer Price Index and subject to annual review by the General Assembly review, beginning in 2020. Projected base salaries under the new law are: 

• $32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year;
• $34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year;
• $37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year; and
• $40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.

Stadelman gets A+ on environment

Last call for basketball!

Senate Democratic Caucus Events: Summer 2019

Here is a list of our upcoming events. Thursday, August 29, 8:30 am - 10:30 am Annual Labor Breakfast for Senator Linda Holmes, Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, and Rep. Barbara Hernandez Painters District Council 30, 1905 Sequoia Drive, Suite 201, Aurora, IL 60506 Ticket: $250 Sponsorships: $500 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 Please make checks payable to committee(s) of your choice: Citizens for Linda Holmes, P.O. Box 6374, Aurora, IL 60598  Friends of Stephanie Kifowit, P.O. Box 1414, Aurora, IL 60507 Friends of Barbara Hernandez, 940 Walter Ave, Aurora, IL 60505 RSVP: Carly@ilsenatedems.org   Saturday, August 31, 1:30pm Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers Wrigleyville Rooftops 3609 N. Sheffield Ave, Chicago Tickets: $1,000 Citizens for Lightford, PO Box 7824, Westchester, IL RSVP: citizens4lightford@gmail.com   Wednesday, September 4th, 5:30-7:30 pm Senator Mattie Hunter 5th Annual Autumn Soiree Rosebud Steakhouse, 192 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL Tickets: $125 Sponsorships: $1000 | $500 | $250 Please make checks payable to Friends of Mattie Hunter, PO Box 439430, Chicago, IL 60643 RSVP: roslyn@ilsenatedems.org   Wednesday, September 4, 6:00-8:00 pm Senator Cristina Castro Campaign Kickoff Danny's Pizza, 231 Douglas St., Elgin, IL Tickets: $50 Sponsorships: $2500 | $1000 | $500 | $250 | $150 Please make checks payable to: Citizens for Castro, PO Box 1506, Elgin, IL 60121 RSVP: Lexie@ilsenatedems.org   Friday, September 6, 8:00 pm -- SOLD OUT Nelly Concert with Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe & Rep. Monica Bristow Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton, IL  Tickets: $250 (includes VIP Seating) Please make checks payable to the committee(s) of your choice: Rachelle Aud Crowe for Senate, PO Box 941, Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Friends of Monica Bristow, PO Box 172, Alton, IL 62002 RSVP: Lexie@ilsenatedems.org   Monday, September 9th Senator Toi Hutchinson's 10th Annual Golf Outing Registration 8:00 am | Shotgun Start 9:00 am | Lunch at 1:00 pm Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Dr., Olympia Fields, IL  Foursome: $2500 | Individual Golfer: $650 | Lunch only: $150 Sponsorships: Tournament $10,000 | Hole in One (includes 2 foursomes) $5000 | Eagle (includes 1 foursome) $3000 | Birdie (includes 1 golfer) $1000 | Hole Sponsor $250 Please make checks payable to Friends of Toi Hutchinson, c/o Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund, 1 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 2065, Chicago, IL 60602. Questions or to RSVP: Lexie@ilsenatedems.org   Wednesday, September 11, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Beer & Tacos with Majority Leader Lightford & Senator Manar Cruz Blanca Brewery & Taquería, 904 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 Tickets: $250 Sponsorships: $2500 | $1000 | $500 Please make checks payable to committee(s) of your choice:  Citizens for Kimberly A. Lightford, PO Box 7824, Westchester, IL 60154 Friends of Andy Manar, PO Box 5509, Springfield, IL 62705 RSVP: info@andyforsenate.com or citizens4lightford@gmail.com   Monday, September 16th Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant's Golf Outing 8:00 am Registration | 9:00 am Shotgun Start | Lunch provided at 2 pm Mistwood Golf Club, 1700 Renwick Rd., Romeoville, IL 60446 Sponsorships: $5000 (includes 2 foursomes, 2 hole signs, & special recognition); $2500 (includes 1 foursome, 2 hole signs, & special recognition); Hole Sponsor $250 Foursome: $1200 | Individual Golfer & Sign $500 | Individual Golfer $350 | Lunch Only $75 Please make checks payable to Committee to Elect Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, 903 Valencia Dr., Shorewood, IL 60404. RSVP: Lexie@ilsenatedems.org   Friday, September 20, 2019 Senator Andy Manar Golf Outing Registration: 9:00am | Shotgun Start: 10:00am Lincoln Greens, 700 E Lake Shore Drive, Springfield Foursome: $400 Sponsors: $500 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 Friends of Andy Manar, PO Box 5509, Springfield, IL 62705 RSVP: Gabe at golfwithandy@gmail.com   Sunday, September 22 , 2:00 pm Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe Beer Tasting & Bag Tournament IUOE Local 520 JATC, 1969 Triad Rd., St. Jacob, IL Viewer: $25 | Bag Team $80 Sponsorships: $2500 | $1000 | $500 | $250 | $150 Please make checks payable to Rachelle Aud Crowe for Senate, PO Box 491, Glen Carbon, IL 62034 RSVP: Lexie@ilsenatedems.org   Monday, September 23rd Senator Pat McGuire Annual Golf Outing 8:30am Registration | 9:30am Shotgun Start | 2:30pm Lunch Joliet Golf Club, 1009 Spencer Rd, Joliet, IL 60433 Individual Golfer: $300 | Foursome: $1,200 | Lunch only: $75 Sponsorships: Hole- $250 | Super- $3,000 | Tournament- $5,000 Please make checks payable to: McGuire for Senate, P.O. Box 2185, Joliet, IL 60434 RSVP Required: Carly@ilsenatedems.org or (309) 339-8341   Tuesday, September 24, 5:30-7:30 pm Senator Robert Peters Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 Stony Island Dr., Chicago, IL  Tickets: $50 Sponsorships: $2500 | $1000 | $500 | $250 Please make checks payable to Peters for Illinois, PO Box 15118, Chicago, IL 60615 RSVP: Gen@ilsenatedems.org   Thursday, September 26th, 5:30-7:30 pm Senate President John Cullerton & the Senate Democratic Majority Caucus Harry Caray's, 33 W. Kinzie, Chicago, IL Tickets: $250 Sponsorships: $25,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $5000 Please make checks payable to the Senate Democratic Victory Fund, 1 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 2065, Chicago, IL 60602. RSVP: Liz@ilsenatedems.org   Thursday, September 26th Senator Terry Link Annual Golf Day 12:15pm Lunch | 1:30pm Tee off NEW LOCATION: Edgewood Valley Country Club, 7500 Willow Springs Rd, La Grange, IL 60525 Individual Golfer: $1,500 Sponsorships: $5,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 Please make checks payable to: Friends of Terry Link, 504 Savoy Ct, Indian Creek, IL 60061 RSVP Required: Carly@ilsenatedems.org    Friday, September 27th Senator Omar Aquino Nacional 27, 325 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654 VIP Pre-Reception Dinner with Special Guests 5:00pm-6:30pm $1,000 per seat. Seating Limited & RSVP Required General Reception 6:00pm-9:00pm Tickets: $100 Sponsorships: $250 | $500 | $1000 | $2500 | $5800 Supporter: $250, Host: $500, Sponsor: $1,000, Chair: $2,500 Please make checks payable to: Friends of Omar Aquino, 1000 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622 RSVP: Kellymarie@kmmconsulting.com or 224-999-4690.   Wednesday, October 2nd, 7:30 General Admission, 8:15 Showtime Senator Don Harmon Live at Fitzgerald's Fitzgerald's Night Club, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL Tickets: $100 Sponsorships: $5000 | $2500 | $1000 | $500 | $250 | $300 Please make checks payable to Friends of Don Harmon, 6941-A W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. RSVP: 708-524-2006 or info@donharmon.org   Sunday, October 20, 2:00-4:00 pm Wine Tasting Event with Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Rep. Natalie Manley, Rep. Fran Hurley August Hill Winery, 106 Mill St., Utica, IL Tickets: $250 Sponsorships: $1000 | $750 | $500 Please make checks payable to the committee(s) of your choice: Committee to Elect Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, 903 Valencia Dr., Shorewood, IL 60404 Friends of Natalie Manley, 1927 Timbers Edge Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 Friends of Fran Hurley, 3207 W. 111th st., Chicago, IL 60655 RSVP: Shannon@tjmconsulting.co   Save the Date     Questions? Email Lexie@ilsenatedems.org.

Maurice West - Weekly Update 08/12 - 08/18

Need assistance?  Start at our website.  Request assistance or reach out to express what's on your mind.  Rep. West would love to hear from you!   This past Thursday we celebrated 815 day and I personally celebrated the pride that I have for my city.  I am encourage by our excellent people and organizations that are striving to make Rockford a great place to be now and into the future. I had a productive week in Rockford and I am preparing for numerous community events.  Please read below for more details. Be well, talk soon. Maurice        HB 2505 Signed Into Law     "Before Gov. Pritzker signed this bill into law, the definition of 'local' food excluded many of our favorite truly local products, like fruit jams grown, made and packaged right here in Illinois, said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). "We owed it to our constituents to fix that problem, and I thank the governor for signing this bill into law." https://www.ilstewards.org/illinois-gov-pritzker-signs-bill-redefining-local-foods/?fbclid=IwAR2r_8Nr5HRjSoWglJN8t2kw0aDJSSVTL8Plhwpzh3kNv5TRnpCZ9ugz8UY     Finally had the opportunity to make it to Spingfield and was able to pick up an original resolution for the League of Women Voters.  I was so proud to introduce a resolution naming June 10th as a day to celebrate Women's Right to Vote.     My Chief of Staff attended the Keith Creek Neighborhood Association meeting on August 15th in order to hear about the positive developments and issues facing the community.                     State Representative Maurice West · 200 S Wyman St Ste 304 · Rockford, IL 61101-1235 · USA

Maurice West Weekly Update 07/22 - 07/28

Need assistance?  Start at our website.  Request assistance or reach out to express what's on your mind.  Rep. West would love to hear from you!   It was an eventful week in which I got to hear from so many of my constituents.  I was able to speak with constituents at a town hall event and then walk through the district with my staff to meet the people I am working for.  I am dedicated to working for you!  Super Shredder Day was a success!  We were able to collect 2 truck loads of documents for secure shredding and recycling.  Thank you to Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, Barbara Olson Center of Hope, and all those that supported this event for our community. On July 26th I recognized the 29th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  As a legislator I am a committed ally to people with disabilities in my district and across the State of Illinois. I will always do my part to advocate for and support their efforts. Please read below for more details on this eventful week and for what's to come this week!  Be well, talk soon. Maurice            The ThinkBig Expo this past weekend was amazing!  There were a host of vendors and information for the community - from how to start your business, to being stewards of your money!   I brought my goddaughter with me on Sunday and she was able to network for herself!     On July 24th, Rep. West spoke at the Town Hall meeting hosted by the West Gateway Coalition.  We had a great Q&A discussion for over an hour with constituents.       Also on July 24th, Rep. West and his staff spent the evening walking through the district and talking with constituents about the issues most important to them. It's important that the constituents sees him as much as possible - especially when he's not in the middle of an election!         On July 23rd, Representative West toured LS Power (Rockford Generation) to gauge more insight on the power that is distributed throughout the local community.                  State Representative Maurice West · 200 S Wyman St Ste 304 · Rockford, IL 61101-1235 · USA ###