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Murphy pushes to increase lobbying transparency in Springfield

• Ethics

SPRINGFIELD – Lobbyists are now required to disclose more information regarding their clients and relationships to local government units under new legislation co-sponsored by Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines).

“It’s clear that we need to introduce larger reforms to change the way elected officials do business,” said Murphy, who served as chief co-sponsor of the legislation in the Senate. “Increasing lobbying transparency is just a start—there’s much more still to do.”

The legislation seeks to prevent state lawmakers from lobbying local units of government. The measure would require:

•    state lobbyists to disclose any units of local government they lobby,
•    state lobbyists to disclose any elected or appointed offices they hold,
•    lobbying firms that contract out other lobbyists to disclose who is lobbying for each business or other client, and
•    the Secretary of State’s Office to improve the lobbyist database, compiling this new information into a publicly accessible and easily navigable online resource.

“Anytime we increase transparency, it’s a victory, but we can’t stop there,” Murphy. “I am continuing to work to enact legislation that holds lawmakers to a higher standard.”

Senate Bill 1639 was signed into law by Governor Pritzker and takes effect immediately.

Applications open for competitive state grant programs

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is now accepting applications for Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grants, which provides financial assistance to eligible local governments for construction and conservation projects.

Eligible projects include new construction and reconstruction of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. Local governments are also encouraged to apply for assistance with land purchases and conservation projects to protect floodplains, wetlands, geologic features and wildlife habitat. Project costs may range from $25,000 to $2.5 million.

The program reimburses up to 75% of approved project costs, and up to 90% of costs for governments defined as "disadvantaged." The IDNR expects to distribute $25 million in total to grant recipients.

To apply to the PARC program, click here. The application deadline is Jan. 21, 2020.

The PARC program is one of many Illinois grant programs, which offer financial assistance to local governments, small businesses, public libraries and schools. If you are interested in applying for a grant through one of these programs, you can find a complete listing of all state grant opportunities here. The page is updated frequently, and specific listings will be posted on the site when the program application period begins.

Murphy: Illinois must put an end to seclusion and isolation in schools

• Education

SPRINGFIELD – Prompted by a recent report detailing the appalling misuse of “quiet rooms” in Illinois schools, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has announced her support of a House bill that aims to end the use of isolation and seclusion as punishment in Illinois.

In response to the report, Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook), a former special education teacher, has filed House Bill 3975 to ban Illinois schools from using isolation, a measure Murphy strongly supports.

“Putting a child in a quiet room is an extreme, potentially traumatizing course of action, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Murphy said. “It’s time to end the abuse of this practice in Illinois schools.”

Read more: Murphy: Illinois must put an end to seclusion and isolation in schools