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Springfield Update
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Dear Neighbor,
As we head back to session today, I want to provide you with
a quick update about what was accomplished before the legislative spring break -
yes, we have actually been able to come together to produce some meaningful
results for Illinois. There remains an attitude of everyone working
together, which I hope continues through the end of session.
Significantly, the legislature passed and the Governor
signed a mini-capital bill of $3 billion. This roads and transit bonds
program will create jobs in time for the current construction season and requires
no new revenue. It maintains a 2-to-1 formula for roads-to-transit,
meaning $2 billion is available for roads and bridges repairs, and $1 billion
is targeted for transit. In the 7th Senate district, which I
represent, state road projects that are included are:
- Sheridan road from Arthur Avenue to Juneway Terrace
- Broadway and Sheridan Road from Devon to Hollywood -
the traffic signal interconnects
- Lake Shore Drive viaducts at Lawrence and
Wilson
Significant dollars will also be available to resurface various
local roads throughout the district. The transit funds will also provide
significant dollars to Chicago Transit Authority, including work on the Red Line. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representatives Harris and
Osterman, and Aldermen Moore, O'Connor, Shiller and Smith and I have been
meeting with top CTA officials to ensure the Red Line and its station are the
highest priority.
I also got 15 bills passed from the Senate to the House,
including:
Longitudinal Data System
(SB1828)
This significant bill creates a longitudinal
data system that will enable us to evaluate student, teacher, and school
district performance from early learning to higher education. This system fully implements all ten
essential elements that the National Data Quality campaign recommends.
Low-Profit Limited
Liability Corporations (SB239)
A new LLC structure for businesses with a
charitable or education purpose created under this bill increasing their
ability to get start up capital from foundations.
Food Waste Composting (SB 99)
This legislation eases state
restrictions to allow commercial food waste composting. Benefits include reducing our waste stream,
cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions, and providing an organic soil
amendment for Illinois' farms and gardens.
School Intervention Task
Force
(SB2119)
The Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring Task Force will develop
strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of
schools, including those that need comprehensive or focused intervention.
Lead Sinker Education
Program (SB 1269)
This
bill creates a state education program to encourage the use of alternatives to
lead fishing products, which can cause the death of wildlife and endanger human
health.
Electric Bicycles (SB
236)
This
legislation ends the need for a title and registration for electric bicycles,
in order to end conflicting laws and encourage their use.
Natural Lawn Care (SB1769)
This
bill creates new notice provisions when a school or day care sprays pesticides
on areas where children will be present.
Stroke Care Working
Group (SB
1516)
Procedures
will be established enabling stroke patients to be taken to emergency centers
that specialize in stroke care immediately, rather than the nearest emergency
centers
Victims' Economic
Security and Safety Act (SB1770)
This legislation offers additional protections
to victims of domestic violence to allow them to take unpaid leave to seek
things like medical help or legal assistance for sexual or domestic violence
incidences.
Humane Euthanasia -
Ban Gas Chambers (SB38)
This bill bans the use of gas chambers to kill animals in
shelters, except under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Mental Health -
Voluntary Admission (SB209)
This bill heightens the standards for voluntary admission of
mental health patients, consistent with a recent Supreme Court Case
Medicaid Study - Low Birthweight
(SB2043)
This bill creates a pilot program for disease management for
treatment for patients at risk of low birth weight or premature birth.
For additional information on any of the bills click here.
As we return we must address critical issues, including
significant ethics reform legislation, the budget and a complete capital plan.
I will keep you updated as we progress.
Sincerely,
Heather A. Steans
State Senator
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| North Lake Shore Community Earth Day 2009 |
North Lake Shore Community Earth Day 2009
Saturday, April 25
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Quinlan Life Sciences Building
1050 W Sheridan Road
I will be one of the keynote speakers of the North Lake Shore Community Earth Day event along with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Please join me in celebrating Earth Day 2009!
The mission of Loyola's North Lake Shore Earth Day 2009 is to bring together the north lake shore communities of Andersonville, Edgewater, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Uptown and West Ridge to host an event that will provide meaningful programming, guest speakers and displays in the interest of raising awareness about environmental problems while highlighting local businesses, organizations and environmental initiatives .
For more info visit www.luc.edu/earthday
Volunteers are needed for this event! Reply to this e-mail if you would like to volunteer. |
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The State of Our State
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The 48th Ward Democratic Party
Invites You
HEATHER STEANS AND HARRY OSTERMAN REPORT TO YOU"THE STATE OF OUR STATE"
- Campaign Finance Reform;
- Improving Schools;
- Funding Mass Transit;
- Marriage Equality, and many more issues.
SPRINGFIELD UPDATE
April 27th
7:00 p.m.
St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church
5649 N. Sheridan
Parking Available
Please
join us for this very informative session. This is your opportunity to
make your views know to our elected leaders in the Illinois General
Assembly.
R.S.V.P. by e-mailing [email protected] or call 773 726-0480
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Edgewater Day of Service
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RSVP today!
Saturday, May 9 from 10 AM to 3PM
Please join me in participating in the Spring Edgewater Day of Service on May 9, 2009. On January 19, 2009, nearly 300 volunteers helped out with
the Edgewater Day of Service, part of President Obama's National Day of
Service. Participants had a great time and requested regular community
service days.
The May 9th day of service will be centered around spring cleaning
the community. Projects include painting, cleaning, and performing small repairs at area schools, parks, public areas, and non-profits.
Please contact Jen Walling at [email protected]
if you would like to sign up to volunteer, if you're a block club that
would like to lead a specific project, or if you have a specific
service project to suggest.
Sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans, Alderman Mary Ann Smith,
State Representative Harry Osterman, Edgewater Beautiful, and the
Edgewater Chamber of Commerce
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Condo Flood Insurance Workshop
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Many local condo owners along Sheridan Road
have been billed for special flood hazard insurance, but are not located in the FEMA flood zone.
Join the Association of Sheridan Road Condominiums and the offices of State Senator Heather Steans and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to learn what you can do if your condo or building is affected. A regional insurance expert from FEMA will discuss the process for challenging a flood zone insurance request and what you can do about it.
There will be a special meeting on May 4th at 4:00 p.m. at Emanuel Congregation. RSVP to Jen Walling at [email protected] or 773-769-1717.
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