Dear neighbor,
This update provides an overview of what happened in Springfield
this last week, or first week of veto session. I will also be on
Chicago Tonight at 7PM on WTTW Channel 11 tonight to further discuss the happenings in Springfield with other legislators if you'd like to tune in to the show.
Monetary Assistant Program (MAP) Grant Funding
The General Assembly appropriated $200 million in additional funding to fully fund MAP
grants last week and the Governor signed this bill yesterday. The bill authorized the Governor to borrow from other state funds to provide revenue for this program. I voted YES on funding for MAP Grants. I am still very concerned about the long term funding for MAP grants and will continue to work to make sure there is a secure revenue source for this program.
Campaign Finance Reform
Thanks for the many responses regarding campaign finance reform legislation. A great number of you wrote to me about your support for meaningful limits on leadership transfers. These limits are part of ongoing
negotiations between the legislative leaders and reform groups. I am
hopeful that there will be some meaningful limits in the final
legislation that we consider, and I will keep you posted.
Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence Awards
Today, I won a Legislative Advocacy Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence for my work on HB3991. This law revokes or denies a Firearm Owner's Identification Card when a person is subject to an order of protection and was signed by the Governor in August. I am honored to have been able to work on this legislation and to receive this award from the ICHV. You can read more about the bill by clicking here. There is much work to be done to provide
sensible handgun control legislation and provide safe communities for
our youth.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Best regards,
Heather Steans
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Heather Steans