SPRINGFIELD – In the midst of a nine-month budget impasse, the Illinois State Senate today passed a funding package that includes funding for services for those living with developmental disabilities. State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), supported the legislation to ensure services for her constituents.

Murphy’s state senate district currently has the second highest number of individuals in the state living with developmental disabilities who are receiving no state services.  

“These funds are absolutely necessary to ensure that services are available for those living with autism, epilepsy and other developmental disabilities,” Murphy said. “As a state, we need to prioritize funding to help our neediest citizens.”

Additionally, several local centers such as Clearbrook in Arlington Heights, which provide services for people of all ages with developmental disabilities, are in danger of being forced to drastically cut or even eliminate services due to a lack of funds.

“Dozens of local families have contacted me, scared about what will happen to their loved ones if the state budget impasse continues. This legislation provides the funds necessary to ensure their loved ones receive the best care possible,” Murphy said.

The proposal also includes funding for MAP grants, which help cover the growing cost of higher education for students.

“In a state where 56 percent of the work force is required to have an education beyond high school, MAP grants are essential to helping students earn their education and enter our work force. This vote is for the more than 1,900 students in my district that depend on these funds to go to school and eventually get a job,” Murphy said.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2059, was part of a larger package that contained appropriations for programs that have received no state funding during the budget impasse, including public universities, community colleges, and breast and cervical cancer screenings. It now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – Several pieces of legislation passed through the Senate Committee on Higher Education as a result of the College of DuPage scandal that has unfolded over the last few months.

State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) was a supporter of all of the legislation, which seek to increase transparency at community colleges and cut down on expensive perks for college officials.

“Community colleges are great resources for thousands of students around the state. They are not opportunities for bureaucrats to take advantage of hundreds of thousands of dollars of student and taxpayer money,” Murphy said.

The proposals will now head to the Senate floor for a vote.

Senate Bill 2155 – Requires the auditor general to audit one-third of all community colleges every year

Senate Bill 2156 – Prevents perks, such as room and board expenses, from being classified as pensionable earnings

Senate Bill 2157 – Requires four hours of professional training for new community college board trustees

Senate Bill 2158 – Prohibits community college boards from entering new employee contracts 45 days prior to Election Day for trustees

Senate Bill 2159 – Requires contract terms and annual performance reviews to increase transparency, and also forbids contract buyouts in cases of pending criminal charges

Senate Bill 2174 – Requires four hours of professional training for all voting members of a university governing board

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below following the Illinois Senate’s vote to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of MAP grant funding.

“How many of the 130,000 MAP grant recipients in Illinois will be forced to drop out before the governor realizes we have to prioritize education funding? These grants are the only opportunity many of these students will have to be prepared in the challenging job market.

“This vote was for the almost 2,000 students in my district who are unsure if they will be able to continue their education this fall. The governor has to stop playing political games with people’s lives.”

Chicago - On Tuesday, a group of legislators from Chicago and the suburbs announced their bipartisan effort to help bring relief to the more than one million residents impacted by adverse noise from O’Hare International Airport.

According to Rep. Christine Winger (R-Wood Dale) many constituents have suffered the endless noise from O’Hare for many years.  Others are experiencing the excruciating ill effects of aircraft noise for the very first time with the addition of the newest runway that opened last October. Still more can expect to join the ranks of those enduring aircraft noise when future runways become operational.

“Our constituents are discouraged by the seeming lack of concern by the Chicago Department of Aviation and the FAA,” said Winger. “Their daily lives are in the hands of these two entities whose missions, quite frankly, do not include protecting the health and quality of life of area residents. That’s why we need to get involved.”

State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and Senators Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) and John Mulroe (D-Chicago) joined Rep. Winger in outlining their legislative plan that would reduce the noise level from O’Hare, help constituents soundproof their homes and identify the ill effects of O’Hare on the people living in the communities impacted by noise.  

"Every day I hear from my constituents about the difficulty of living near O'Hare because of recent moves being made beyond their control, said Rep. Michael McAuliffe. “We're calling on our friends in the legislature to help us fight on their behalf.”