DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) released the following statement regarding the governor’s announcement of the new board directors for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority Board.

For months, Murphy has been vocal about the disturbing practices of the prior board and was part of a unanimous vote, from the Illinois State Senate for a measure to eliminated the current board, allowing the governor to re-fill those vacancies

“It’s time for the tollway to start anew” Murphy said. “With new directors and Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, I hope to see more transparency and accountability from the board. I am looking forward to a board who embraces these ideals and restores the public trust in the Tollway Authority. I am excited to see what this new chapter has in store.”

Murphy: We are a family; when someone is in need, we step up to help them

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is looking for answers and a long-term solution to what happened at the local mobile home park near Elk Grove.

During the polar vortex, pipes froze and burst, leaving some residents of the mobile home park without clean water for almost two weeks now.

“There is no reason that it should be taking this long to ensure that the residents have clean water,” Murphy said. “These residents need clean water to bathe, care for their pets and do daily household chores like laundry or washing dishes.”

State Representative Marty Moylan, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and State Senator Laura Murphy’s offices took action immediately when they received news about this water crisis.

The Illinois Beverage Associations and Great Lakes Coca-Cola company donated 240 cases of water to the mobile home park last week, which was delivered by administrators from Elk Grove High School. Zeman Homes also provided water for residents to pick up at their on-site management office.

“I want to applaud everyone involved who worked tirelessly to provide clean water to the residents,” Murphy said. “Seeing everyone come together, including the residents who took action when it was needed the most, is the reason why I love representing our district. We are a family and when someone is in need, we step up to help them.”

There is currently action being taken to repair the busted water pipes, but some residents are still without clean water.

Murphy wants to take the necessary steps to fix this problem and to ensure that this does not happen again. Her and her staff plan on meeting with residents of the park and working with the Manufactured Home Owners Association of Illinois to discuss legislation and the need for reform.

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy paid a visit to Brookdale Senior Living Center in Des Plaines Thursday to help the center celebrate its 25^th Anniversary.

“I’m thrilled to recognize Brookdale Senior Living for providing 25 years of quality care to seniors,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “Brookdale and other senior living centers provide a crucial service to some of our most vulnerable citizens, and I’m proud to be their ally in the Senate.”

While visiting the Center, Murphy spoke to the residents and staff about upcoming legislative actions in Springfield. This included topics such as the state budget, pensions, senior issues, consumer protections, a potential capitol bill, cannabis regulation and healthcare issues – especially Medicaid and the need for transparency within that system.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy was one of 50 members to vote for a measure meant to bring transparency to the Illinois Tollway Board.

Senate Bill 1298 immediately creates a vacancy in every office of the Tollway Board. Murphy has been concerned with issues at the tollway for some time.

“I have been quite vocal for months about my desire to see some transparency and more importantly accountability in the tollway board,” said Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat. “A lot of taxpayer money goes toward the salaries of board members, and I believe the taxpayers have a right to be certain that they don’t make decisions based on political or potentially unethical motives.”

Once the bill becomes law, the offices of each member of the Tollway Board, including the chairperson, will be abolished. The bill requires the vacancies to be filled by Feb. 28, 2019. The bill received widespread bipartisan support, passing nearly unanimously through both chambers of the General Assembly.

“Quite frankly, this bill is long overdue,” Murphy said. “I’m proud to have helped pass this legislation that will finally give Illinois taxpayers some idea of how their money is being spent at the tollway.”