Tag: State Senator

Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings’ missing persons identification measure passes Senate State Senator Michael E. Hastings is building on his missing persons investigation work ─ passing legislation in the Senate that would accelerate the timeline for critical forensic data being added to state and national databases. “Law enforcement often starts, and sometimes stops, with criminal databases like CODIS for…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, Police, Senator Michael Hastings

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed legislation through the Senate aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “In light of some tragic storms in the area, we need to protect Illinois’ residents,”…

Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Weather

Hastings supports updating online harassment law

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports updating online harassment law In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in the present day. “The world is…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Politics, Technology

Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers SPRINGFIELD — Subscription services often make canceling an active subscription difficult and convoluted in order to make customers give up or forget to cancel the service. To combat this practice, State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced…

Business, Economy, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, safety, Technology

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is calling for support on legislation aimed at addressing online prediction platforms that allow users to wager money on real world events while avoiding the licensing and oversight required of regulated gambling operators in Illinois. “These…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings: new legislation could save homes, protect equity for families facing tax sales

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026 News Editor No Comments

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…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Hastings working towards stronger consumer protections for Illinois families

February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Hastings working towards stronger consumer protections for Illinois families Subscription services often make canceling an active subscription difficult and convoluted in order to make customers give up or forget to cancel the service. In response, State Senator Michael E. Hastings introduced legislation designed to protect Illinois consumers from hidden fees and confusing subscription contracts. “This…

Business, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025

November 21, 2025November 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025 Illinois Senator Mike Porfirio will join local legislators in celebrating and honoring America’s veterans at a Holiday luncheon to be held at Morton College on Dec. 12, 2025. Among those also attending will be State Sen. Javier Cervantes, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep….

Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced that the Olympia Fields Park District has been awarded a $75,000 state grant to begin renovations at Bicentennial Park. “Bicentennial Park is an anchor for the Olympia Fields community,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This investment will help modernize the park…

Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire

Hastings: Families deserve a heads-up before major insurance increase

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings: Families deserve a heads-up before major insurance increase State Senator Michael E. Hastings has introduced Senate Bill 2699, legislation that would require insurance companies to provide advance written notice to consumers before imposing significant rate increases on home or auto insurance policies. “Consumers deserve to know when a rate increase is coming so they…

Business, Frankfort, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Hastings introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting State Senator Michael E. Hastings has introduced Senate Bill 2691, legislation that would examine whether Illinois families are paying unfairly high premiums due to nondriving factors that have little to do with actual risk on the road or in the home. “Families in Illinois deserve…

Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures State Senator Michael E. Hastings visited Matteson School District 162 last week to meet with Superintendent Dr. Blondean Davis and district leaders to discuss security measures, rapid response plans and other protocols designed to keep students safe. The meeting focused on how…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings brings in over $7.2 million in additional funding for local schools through evidence-based funding formula

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings brings in over $7.2 million in additional funding for local schools through evidence-based funding formula State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that local schools in the South Suburbs will receive more than $7.2 million in new evidence-based funding as part of the continued implementation of the landmark education funding reform he supported in…

Education, Frankfort, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports organ donation leave for working people State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a measure through the Illinois Senate to ensure taking time off work to donate an organ doesn’t put workers’ livelihoods at risk. “Donating an organ is a beautiful and selfless act,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Workers need to be treated with respect,…

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Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program. “Excessive and flat-out unfair prices are being set on prescription drugs with no accountability,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort)….

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Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that his advocacy efforts have led to the successful award of a $1.6 million grant to fund the construction of a new multi-use path in the Village of Frankfort. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement…

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Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who believes he can buy any election, any time for any amount of money, wants to buy the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker has pushed his Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, to run for the…

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Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025 Join State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid and State Senator Mike Porfirio to discuss legislative updates, the impact of federal changes on Illinois, and the continued efforts to fight for working families. The Town Hall meeting will be held on April, 19 2025 beginning at 12 NOON. It…

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