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.