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Illinois State Senate
Heather Steans
State Senator - 7th District




In this e-mail
- Legislative update from Senator Heather Steans
- Help downstate areas affected by flooding.
- Visit Senator Steans' table at the Andersonville Midsommarfest.
- Search the state's unclaimed property database.
- Volunteer for Senator Steans.

Dear Neighbor,
 
283 bills passed both the House and Senate this legislative session, compared to 750 bills last year (only about 1/3 the amount of last year).  This decrease stems in large part from a battle between State leaders that has kept a number of bills caught in limbo between the House and the Senate.
 
As a freshman Senator in this environment I am very pleased to have been the Senate leader on 5 bills that passed through both chambers.  Legislative highlights for this session include items outlined below.  For details on these or any bills you can go to www.ilga.gov.
 
Banning Pay-to-Play Politics (HB824).  I was a chief co-sponsor of this long overdue bill which prohibits companies that have contracts with the State from contributing to the political campaign of the statewide officeholder who awards the contract (or to declared candidates for the office).  The legislation also improves the transparency of giving by requiring the State Board of Elections to place all businesses with these contracts on a searchable database available to the public with links to all campaign contributions by the business.  While I believe further ethics reform are sorely needed in Illinois (such as campaign finance reform and improvements to lobbyist registration requirements), this is a terrific step forward.
 
  • Better regulating energy drinks that contain alcohol (SB2472).  I was the lead sponsor of this bill that requires energy drinks that contain alcohol to have better labeling and prohibits them from being marketed to youth.  Research shows that energy drinks are consumed primarily by youth.  As a mother of 3 kids, I was very concerned about the easy access underage kids had to the alcoholic version of these beverages.
  • Providing free rides for low income disabled persons (SB1920).  This bill, which I co-sponsored, will enable low-income disabled persons to ride mass transit for free.  After the Governor provided free transit rides to all seniors regardless of income, I am pleased that we are helping this population which will clearly benefit from the free rides.
  • Creating Poverty (SB2074)  and Youth Commissions (HB4456).   A Commission on Children and Youth will create a strategic plan to provide improved services and better allocate resources to support children and youth throughout Illinois.  I was the lead sponsor for this bill in the Senate.  The poverty eradication commission will develop recommendation on how to eliminate poverty in our State.
  • Electronic Waste Recycling (SB2313).  This legislation requires manufacturers of electronic products such as computers and televisions to provide for recycling of the products they sell in Illinois.   Residents throughout the State will have the opportunity to recycle rather than toss old products, providing for reuse of valuable materials and prevention of polluting our water and land with harmful chemicals.
 
My biggest legislative disappointment stems from not getting the opportunity to vote on blocking the pay raises for the legislature and judges.  In this time of budget deficits and a weakening economy, I do not believe there is any justification to raising the pay for our elected officials, and in fact believe it sends the entirely wrong message.  The State has a Compensation Review Board that recommends pay increases for elected officials (constitutional officers, legislators and judges).  The recommended raises go into affect unless both the House and Senate pass resolutions to reject the pay raises.  The House passed such a resolution, but the Senate resolution to block the raises (of which I am a co-sponsor) is stuck in the Rules Committee.   There is still the chance that we might be able to get the resolution called for a vote in the fall, and I will continue to push for it.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding these or any other legislative matters.  The more I hear from you the better able I am to represent you in the Illinois Senate.
 
Regards,

 
Heather Steans


Announcements

Help downstate areas affected by flooding!

Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper and Lawrence Counties in Southeastern Illinois have been declared disaster areas because of extreme flooding.  Many families have been evacuated from their homes.

A relief fund has been established to help families that have been victims of the flood.  Please donate to:
Wabash Valley Flood Relief Fund
P.O. Box 277
Hutsonville, IL
62443
 
Andersonville Midsommarfest

Heather  Steans' service office will be tabling at the Andersonville Midsommarfest this weekend, June 14 and 15, from 10am-5pm.  We will be at the community booth near the Swedish Bakery on Clark Street.  Stop by to sign up for our e-mail list and pick up information on state issues.

Cash Dash - Unclaimed Property

The Illinois State Treasurer's office keeps a database of unclaimed property held by the state that might belong to you or your business.  Search the state's unclaimed property database for your lost, forgotten, or abandoned funds. http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/cash-dash/Owner/Owner.aspx

Volunteer for Senator Steans!
Volunteers of all ages are welcome and needed in Heather Steans' office at 5533 N. Broadway.  Volunteers help with various administrative tasks in the office including answering the phones and staffing tables at events.  Please call Jen at 773-769-1717 to volunteer in Heather's office.