Murphy encourages job-seeking veterans to apply for annual Back-to-Work Boot Camp

• Veterans
• Events
• In the district
• apply now
• Unemployment

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is encouraging former service members looking to reenter the workforce to apply for the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s annual Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp.

“Our men and women in uniform have put their lives on the line to defend our nation. The Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp teaches invaluable lessons to help them make a smooth return to civilian life,” Murphy said.

The Veterans Back-to-Work Boot Camp, now in its fifth year, offers career training to 20 local military veterans. Each participant will receive a career enhancement package valued at more than $8,000, which includes a computer, a fitness membership, career coaching and professional development lessons, various gift cards, and more.

This year’s boot camp will take place from Sept. 8 to Nov. 11, and requires a two-hour commitment on Wednesday evenings. Interested veterans are encouraged to apply online by July 30, 2021.

Any applicants that are not selected will have their applications shared with the committee for hiring consideration and will be invited to a future career fair.

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry is sponsoring the program in partnership with Rivers Casino.

“I’ve been a proud supporter of this program for many years, and I highly recommend the boot camp to any veteran hoping to get back into the career world,” Murphy said.

Murphy invites renters and landlords to attend rental assistance webinar

• Events
• District event
• apply now

DES PLAINES – To help Illinois renters and landlords take advantage of up to $25,000 or 15 months in assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is partnering with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to host an informational webinar via Facebook Live on June 9 at 5 p.m.

“Many families are still struggling with job and income losses due to the pandemic, and as a result, they’re behind on rent payments,” Murphy said. “This program offers much-needed assistance to renters who still need some time to get back on their feet.”

During the webinar, an official from the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide a walkthrough of the application process, offer helpful tips and answer questions. The event will be streamed live on Murphy’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/SenatorLauraMurphy.

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant can cover the past due rent from the previous 12 months and future rental assistance for the next three months, if deemed necessary, up to $25,000.

Landlords have until June 7 to initiate an application, and tenants will have until June 13 to complete their portion of the application. Alternatively, tenants can begin initiating applications June 9.

For more information and to apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program, visit IHDA.org.

Murphy highlights wins for students, families in state budget

• Budget
• Education
• School funding
• Pension
• Schools
• students

SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiations with lawmakers, state agencies and other stakeholders, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is calling the state’s final budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year a win for students and working families:

“As we work toward a full recovery from the pandemic, it’s crucial that Illinois spends—and saves—smart. Every dollar represents a down payment on our state’s future.

“By closing loopholes and cutting back on unnecessary expenses, we were able to keep our promise to public schools and increase evidence-based funding by $350 million, making critical investments in K-12 education in a way that reduces the tax burden on local property owners.

“I’m proud to have helped craft a balanced budget that makes our full required pension payment, supports the middle class and spurs economic growth in all our communities. We’ve weathered the challenges of the past year—now it’s time to build back better.”

Murphy backs ethics overhauls to build back public confidence in government

• Transparency
• Government accountability
• Ethics

SPRINGFIELD – To increase transparency at all levels of government and ensure elected officials are held accountable for their actions, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) championed a measure to overhaul ethics laws in Illinois.

“Illinoisans deserve to be able to trust their government again,” Murphy said. “These long-overdue changes can help restore transparency and accountability to our state government, and begin to build back the public’s confidence.”

The legislative package includes numerous provisions to strengthen ethics laws surrounding economic interest disclosure, lobbying, campaign finance and compensation, including:

1. Prohibiting elected officials from lobbying other units of government for entities that lobby them;
2. Creating a statewide lobbyist database that requires those lobbying state, county, municipal or township governments to be registered and disclosed;
3. Barring elected officials in the General Assembly and officers in the executive branch from lobbying for firms registered to lobby the legislative or executive branches;
4. Forbidding local elected officials from lobbying for firms registered to lobby their own unit of government;
5. Establishing a six-month cooling-off period for executive branch elected officials and legislators becoming lobbyists;
6. Closing the Consultant Loophole by requiring individuals who may not directly communicate with officials and staff, but who help develop strategies to influence executive or legislative officials or staff to register with the database;
7. Banning in-person or virtual fundraisers anywhere in the state on a session day or the day before a legislative session day;
8. Prohibiting salaried appointees who are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate from serving as officers for political committees;
9. Authorizing the Executive and Legislative Inspectors General to initiate investigations independently, without the advance approval of their respective ethics commissions;
10. Enacting a clearer, more streamlined Statement of Economic Interest disclosure system; and
11. Pro-rating the salaries of General Assembly members who leave office prior to the end of their term.

“Government officials should serve the people—not their own financial interests,” Murphy said. “This legislation is a good first step, but I will continue pushing for reform to bring us closer to the ideals Illinois was founded on.”

Senate Bill 539 passed the Senate with unanimous support and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.