Senate Appropriations, Commerce Committees to hold joint hearing on Back 2 Business grant program
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CHICAGO – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) and members of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees will hold a joint hearing Thursday, Aug. 12 at noon to discuss the Back 2 Business small business recovery program.
“With the livelihoods of so many Illinoisans hanging in the balance, it’s critical that state agencies are transparent and accountable,” said State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), who serves on both committees. “I look forward to the opportunity to make our small business owners’ voices heard.”
The B2B program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is expected to distribute $300 million in economic relief to small businesses across the state to help offset losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only testimony on the subject matter will be heard.
“It has remained a top priority of mine to help all small businesses build back better,” said Sims, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “And I’m especially eager to ensure dollars reach the communities hardest hit by the pandemic.”
A livestream of the committee hearing can be viewed when proceedings begin at www.ilga.gov.
Who: Members of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees
What: Subject matter hearing on the Back 2 Business grant program
When: Thursday, Aug. 12 at noon
Where: Room C600 of the Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60601 or Virtual Room 1 on www.ilga.gov
Murphy: New pedestrian safety law will make roads safer, prevent heartbreak
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SPRINGFIELD – To identify problem areas on state roads and allow residents to drive, bike and walk safely in their communities, a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to look more closely into traffic accidents on state highways that result in the death of a pedestrian.
“Even one pedestrian fatality is too many,” Murphy said. “By working proactively to pinpoint areas of concern and make immediate improvements, we can make our roads safer and prevent injury and death.”
The legislation would require IDOT to conduct a traffic study after any fatal pedestrian accident at the intersection of a state highway. The study would include a rundown of potential methods to improve safety at the site, such as design improvements and traffic control devices. The results of each study would be publicly accessible via IDOT’s website.
Murphy was inspired to sponsor the legislation following a series of three fatal accidents in just two years on Miner Street, between Pearson Street and Graceland Avenue, in Des Plaines.
After four people were hospitalized following two separate accidents two hours apart at the location, police conducted a sting operation: Officers in plainclothes walked across the crosswalk and if drivers failed to yield, they were issued a citation. Within a six-hour period, 20 citations were issued.
“Sometimes, preventing pedestrian loss is as simple as installing a stop sign,” Murphy said. “This law ensures the state responds quickly to accidents to help avoid further tragedy.”
The law, originally Senate Bill 1791, was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.
Colleges to use social media to reach out to vets, active military under Murphy law
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SPRINGFIELD – Students who are serving or have served in the military now have easier access to tailored support services on campus under a law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).
“Students have faced unbelievable stress over the past year, and current and former military students are often under additional pressure,” Murphy said. “With the fall semester on the horizon, it’s important that we spread the word about available mental health resources.”
Currently, public colleges and universities must designate one employee to coordinate services for veteran and active military students. The employee’s contact information and a brief summary of their services must be available on the campus’ homepage and promotional mailings for student applications.
The new law requires the information to be available on the institution’s social media accounts as well.
“The resources already exist—we just have to ensure they reach the students they’re intended for,” Murphy said. “More and more, young adults are getting their news via social media. It’s time we take advantage of it as a means to share important information easily and instantly.”
Murphy introduced a similar measure last year, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support in March 2020 but was tabled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The law, originally Senate Bill 641, was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.
ISBE to collect information on violence in schools under Murphy law
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SPRINGFIELD – To better understand the prevalence of bullying and violence in Illinois schools, a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) will strengthen incident reporting requirements.
“Nationwide rates of violence between students are alarming—to ensure we’re keeping our students safe, we need a deeper understanding of the issue in Illinois,” Murphy said. “The first step toward solving any problem is gathering information.”
The law requires the Illinois State Board of Education to collect data on incidents of violence that occurred on school grounds or during school-related activities that resulted in a student’s out-of-school suspension, expulsion or removal to an alternative setting.
ISBE is required to post the number of incidents recorded in each district on its public Illinois School Report Card website.
During the 2017-18 school year, an estimated 962,300 violent incidents occurred in U.S. public schools nationwide, according to the most recent School Survey on Crime and Safety administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Seventy-one percent of schools reported having at least one violent incident.
“When it comes to protecting student safety, transparency must be a priority,” Murphy said. “Stronger incident reporting requirements will help us identify problems and find solutions.”
The law, originally Senate Bill 633, was signed into law Friday. ISBE must begin publishing this data in the 2022-23 school year.
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Welcome
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Laura Murphy
State Senator, 28th District
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Springfield Office:
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