Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation designed to provide critical relief to Cook County homeowners at risk of losing their homes in the county’s 2023 tax sale. Hastings, a chief co-sponsor on the bill, worked to pass the…
Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…
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Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1 According to the Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will take a new approach to these cases, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “I teamed…
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Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations. “In missing persons cases, every second and small piece of information is paramount,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation works to give law…
Full-day kindergarten now mandated by new law supported by Senator Michael Hastings Children across the south suburbs will soon have access to full-day kindergarten, thanks to a law supported by State Senator Michael E. Hastings that was signed into law this week. “Early education is crucial to setting our children on a path to be…
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Proposed bipartisan Senate bill to keep kids under 13 off social media should be passed By Jeffery M. Leving Recently there have been a few lawsuits filed by some states against social media companies in order to protect the mental health of youths. There have also been calls for government regulation, movement from the social…
Reps. Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Rosa DeLauro, and Maxwell Frost Introduce Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children During National Gun Violence Awareness Month event June 16, 2023, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), a Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03),…
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…
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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…
Anniversary of Arab American Recognition in Illinois Two years ago in October 2018, Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan introduced legislation that formally recognized April as Arab American Heritage Month at a meeting of the Arab American Democratic Club. Madigan’s legislation made the declaration a state law. Here’s a story recalling that important event in…
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Quinn ordinances reduces Chicago Vehicle Sticker costs for seniors Chicago Alderman sponsored an ordinance in the City Council that reduces the costs of certain vehicle stickers for senior citizens. The ordinance was approved by the Chicago City Council and applies to vehicle stickers owned by seniors for trucks and large vans. Last year, Chicago Alderman…
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Underwood Works to Improve Access to Quality Health Care for Veterans Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced The ACE Veterans Act which expands veterans’ access to contraceptives, includes an option for full-year supply. The Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act would improve suicide prevention for post-9/11 veterans Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the ACE Veterans Act and…
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April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law Illinois Legislature passes law to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month. The bill was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Landek and Representative Mike Zalewski. The bill restores respect for Illinois’ Arab American community which was disrespected…
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