Murphy celebrates $181.8 million in infrastructure improvements

• Infrastructure

DES PLAINES – Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by State Senator Laura Murphy, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced more than $181.8 million in road and bridge improvement projects for the 28th District.

“Roadwork projects are not only about connecting places, they are about connecting people to opportunities,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By investing in these projects, we are investing in our workforce, our businesses, and the prosperity of our community.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Murphy represents will see 23 infrastructure projects totaling more than $181 million over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• The addition of a bikeway in Hanover Park
• Bridge joint replacement and repair on Lake Street at ILL 390
• Bridge replacement, addition of retaining walls and accessibility improvements on Rand Road in Des Plaines

These projects are part of IDOT’s Multi-Year Plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invests in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“Our state’s continued commitment to improving our infrastructure shows our dedication to the safety of everyone who uses our roadways,” Murphy said. “By building better roads and bridges we are also building a stronger, more prosperous future.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 28th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

Murphy declares IL Supreme Court decision a win for civil liberty and fairness

• Public safety

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy released the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act:

“The decision by the Illinois Supreme Court is a monumental win. By upholding the elimination of cash bail, the court has aligned itself with the principles of equal treatment, ensuring that pretrial detention is based on risk rather than financial resources.

“Though we must always presume innocence until proven guilty, if the crime is serious enough, an individual should not be allowed out on bond if they pose a risk to our communities. Judges will now have to commit to risk assessments and evaluate individual circumstances which promotes fairness, and reflects an understanding that one’s financial resources should not determine their freedom while awaiting trial. I appreciate the Illinois Supreme Court’s commitment to promoting fairness, protecting civil liberties, and upholding the values upon which our legal system is built.”

 

Wrongful pandemic foreclosures sealed under new law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy’s measure to seal foreclosure records that were initiated during the COVID pandemic foreclosure moratoria has been signed into law.

“The stress of a foreclosure is difficult enough, but to have that added on top of a global pandemic must have been unbearable,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “It is my hope that by having the option to seal a foreclosure that should not have happened during the moratoria, a sense of stability and hope is returned to the hardworking families of Illinois who faced wrongful foreclosure.”

The law allows a mortgagor to make a motion to seal certain foreclosure actions which were filed between March 9, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021. This applies only to residential real estate and rental properties where the owner resides in the building, or properties with no more than six units if the owner does not reside in the building.

To protect personal privacy the law also removes the obligation to send foreclosure documents to municipalities or counties within which the foreclosure took place. Or, in the case of Chicago, the obligation to send foreclosure documents to the relevant alderperson.

According to ATTOM, a property and real estate data platform, nearly 12,000 properties nationally had foreclosure filings in October 2020. In October 2021, one in every 1,923 homes in Illinois faced foreclosure. Chicago ranked fourth among cities with a population of at least 220,000 with one in every 2,284 homes facing foreclosure.

“Having the ability to seal these records will enable individuals who lost their homes, faced damaged credit scores and may face difficulty finding housing to secure a new and better future,” said Murphy. “We have a duty to the Illinoisans who should have been protected by the foreclosure moratoria.”

Senate Bill 201 was signed into law by the governor on Friday.

Historic anti-book ban measure signed into law

• Library
• Book ban

SPRINGFIELD – In a historic moment, Illinois has become the first state in the nation to prohibit the banning of books in libraries, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Laura Murphy, which was signed into law Monday.

“Often times, censorship like book bans comes from fear, which is insidious. It spreads like a disease and leaves our vulnerable communities injured,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “We cannot allow ourselves to give into fear – we must stand against this fear disguised as moral outrage and stand up for what we know is right.”

Under the law, a library or library system must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights or develop a written statement prohibiting the practice of banning books or materials in order to be eligible for state grants.

Nationally, the number of attempts to ban books has been on the rise, with 681 attempts involving more than 1,600 titles throughout the U.S. in 2021, according to the ALA. Seven states have passed laws to impose restrictions on libraries, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida and Utah. Illinois became the first state in the nation to ensure intellectual freedom for all across the state.

“To try to stifle access to the stories of people whose lived experiences are different from our own leaves vulnerable communities without a voice,” Murphy said. “We have a duty as lawmakers to ensure that we protect the principles on which our country was founded.”

House Bill 2789 was signed into law by the governor on Monday.