Category: Illinois Legislature

Undocumented immigrants will be given drivers licenses, Secretary Giannoulias says

June 21, 2023June 21, 2023 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Undocumented immigrants will be given drivers licenses, Secretary Giannoulias says Giannoulias: New Legislation Aims to End the Stigma for Immigrant Drivers; Make Illinois Roads Safer. Legislation will allow state to issue standardized licenses to legally licensed immigrant motorists Legislation approved by Illinois lawmakers will expand identification options for undocumented immigrants and make Illinois roads safer,…

Illinois Legislature, immigrant, News, news release, Transportation

Senator Hastings-backed law will help protect consumers

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Hastings-backed law will help protect consumers 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…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

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

June 5, 2023June 13, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

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

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Funding for mental health and education in Tinley Park secured by Senator Hastings State Senator Michael E. Hastings joined members of the Illinois State Senate to support a Fiscal Year 2024 budget to promote fiscal responsibility, funding to promote mental health services and support our children’s education opportunities.Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response:“The…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Administration Announces Chicago Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit The unit will focus on preventing violence and addressing conflict in Chicago via community Peacekeepers Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services are launching a Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit (CPRU), a highly mobile team that…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Hastings shepherds law readying South Suburban Airport opening

May 21, 2023May 21, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Hastings shepherds law readying South Suburban Airport opening HB2531 South Suburban Airport legislation passed the Illinois Senate by a 33-20 vote on Wednesday May 17, 2023 Legislation that brings the building of the South Suburban Airport one step closer to reality was approved this week by the Illinois General Assembly, co-sponsored by State Senators…

Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Hastings passes bipartisan measure to crackdown on crime

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings passes bipartisan measure to crackdown on crime New Illinois law backed by Senator Michael E. Hastings requires requires Illinois car manufacturers to establish a 24/7 hotline for police and consumers to utilize in case of a carjacking or kidnapping Working across the aisle and in tandem with law enforcement, State Senator Michael E. Hastings…

Cook County, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Proposed Chicago School District map is a “gerrymandered disgrace” Chicago GOP officials say The Chicago Republican Party today decried the proposed map of the Chicago School Board Districts released by Illinois Senate Democrats, as well as the provision of the current bill establishing the new “temporarily hybrid” school board in Chicago. “This map is a…

Chicago, Education, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read, pushes law prohibiting libraries from banning books State Senator Michael E. Hastings fights to protect Illinoisans’ right to read. New law would ban the banning of books by local libraries A measure requiring libraries or library systems to adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights…

Books & Films, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Giannoulias Issues First 100-Days Report Outlining Major Accomplishments

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Giannoulias Issues First 100-Days Report Outlining Major Accomplishments “Getting it Done” Report Features Achievements to Modernize the Office Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias released his First 100 Days report today, highlighting his administration’s accomplishments since taking office in January. The 16-page report reflects how the new Secretary has pursued an aggressive agenda to improve…

Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings advances measure to fight crime, track stolen vehicles Illinois may soon have a law on the books to help law enforcement quickly track stolen vehicles, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. Hastings (D-Frankfort) advanced House Bill 2245, which requires Cook County to establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of a…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census

March 25, 2023March 25, 2023 News Editor 1 Comment

Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census Arab American leaders are pushing back against legislation that would designate the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) category for the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and the U.S. Census arguing that the MENA Category will only help fuel more…

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges

March 18, 2023March 18, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges Legislation introduced this week by State Senator Michael Hastings will require companies to provide “clear notice” on contracts that automatically renew. Hastings said that oftentimes contracts are renewed automatically without giving consumers proper or formal notice of the upcoming renewal or giving them…

Features, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Jesse White honored by Orland Township Democrats at successful fundraiser

February 24, 2023February 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Jesse White honored by Orland Township Democrats at successful fundraiser By Ray Hanania A gathering of the Orland Township Democratic Organization (OTDO) on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, honored the 24-year service of former Secretary of State Jesse White. White expressed his gratitude for the support he has received including from the more than 150 people who attended…

Cook County, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report Report serves as a road map to modernize the office, transform operations, and upgrade services Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today released his Transition Team’s report that will serve as a blueprint for modernizing the office, transforming operations and expanding services to best serve…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness

December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness Very few people have done more to strengthen diversity in Illinois than Patricia Michalski, who passed away on December 17, 2022. Pat was an activist dedicated to bringing people of all races, ethnicities and nationalities in the Chicagoland area together. And she did it…

Blogger, Chicago, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Government, Illinois Legislature, Obituary, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, women

State Treasurer Frerichs says Diversity and Transparency are good for business

December 1, 2022December 1, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

State Treasurer Frerichs says Diversity and Transparency are good for business Research shows that diversity is good for business. A study conducted by a well-regarded business consultant, McKinsey & Co., revealed that corporations with diverse boards outperformed homogenous boards. When people from different backgrounds make decisions together, they are less prone to group-think, and they…

Civil Rights, Culture, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Senator Hastings thanks voters for support in re-election to 19th Senate District seat

November 16, 2022November 16, 2022 News Editor No Comments

Senator Hastings thanks voters for support in re-election to 19th Senate District seat State Senator Michael E. Hastings released the following statement on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 following the final tabulation of votes in the Nov. 8, 2022 General election. Hastings was re-elected to his seat representing the 19th Illinois Senate District where he has…

breaking news, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Orland Township, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County