Bryant hosts Youth Advisory Council in Springfield
Last week, State Senator Terri Bryant welcomed dozens of high school students from across the 58th Senate District to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to learn more about the state’s legislative process as part of her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program.
Sen. Bryant’s YAC program allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year. During the fall meeting, students heard from local leaders and had the opportunity to propose ideas for new legislation. This year, students put forward a proposal meant to stop inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, regardless the age of the student. Sen. Bryant took their idea to help create her Senate Bill 2823.
During this week’s meeting, students took on the various roles involved in the legislative process for a mock committee hearing in an actual Senate committee room at the Capitol Complex. The students served as lawmakers discussing and voting on the proposal, concerned citizens and lobbyists advocating for and against the issue, and reporters covering the hearing.
Sen. Bryant’s YAC program is open to high school students in the 58th Senate District each year. She encourages interested students to ask their teachers and/or principals about taking part in the future.
Sen. Bryant’s Mother’s Day Baby Diaper Drive
In an effort to help ensure that local mothers in need get the support they deserve, Sen. Bryant’s office is teaming up with local pregnancy resource centers to host a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive.
Items in demand includes diapers, wipes, baby wash, lotion, bottles, children’s books, and new clothes for children ranging from birth to 24-months old. All items can be dropped off at Sen. Bryant’s district offices in Murphysboro and Mount Vernon from now through May 8th.
Opposition Voiced Against Wetland Overregulation
Ignoring concerns from Illinois’ agriculture community, environmental activists are pushing legislation that would grant the state sweeping authority over private land.
The bill was proposed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, which rolled back the scope of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and curtailed overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). WOTUS, a part of the Federal Clean Water Act, has been heavily criticized by farmers, homeowners, and landowners because of the broad authority it gave the government over private land.
Senate Bill 771 would give many of the powers the Sackett v. EPA decision took away from the EPA to the state. The legislation goes even further, creating a new regulatory system at the state level that puts the burden on landowners to hire costly specialists to identify wetlands. It also mandates permits for projects, even on private property, without specifying a timeline – allowing the state to effectively kill projects by not acting on a permit request. Additionally, it allows the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to issue hefty civil penalties of $10,000 per day for violations.
The legislation has been met with opposition from a broad range of interests, including farmers, business groups, home builders, and energy producers. If passed, it could mean the end of numerous energy projects, costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development.
Senator Bryant, who strongly opposes the legislation, contends that it infringes on property rights and would create yet another burdensome and costly regulatory process for citizens that could potentially harm Illinois’ agriculture, construction, and energy sectors in the long term.
Senate Advances Legislation to Stop Governments from Charging Property Tax Penalties to Deceased Individuals
Senate Republican lawmakers have advanced legislation to alleviate the financial burdens placed on families dealing with unforeseen property tax penalties in the wake of a loved one’s passing.
Currently, even when a person has passed away, governments may still be charging their estate with interest and penalties for property taxes, leaving grieving families with unexpected expenses.
Senate Bill 2832, sponsored by Senator Steve McClure, would allow for the estate of a deceased individual to apply for a waiver with the county treasurer that would prevent interest and penalties from being charged on delinquent property taxes.
Senate Bill 2832 passed the Senate on April 9 and now awaits action in the House of Representatives.
Legislation Advances for Better Access to Workforce Development Programs
Legislation advanced last week aims to boost workforce development efforts in Illinois by providing a comprehensive system for assessing the success of state-funded economic development programs and resources.
Senate Bill 2907, filed by Senator Dave Syverson, creates the Illinois Job Training and Workforce Development Transparency Act. The Republican-sponsored legislation requires the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in coordination with affected state agencies, to compile a detailed report encompassing all state-funded job training and workforce development programs in Illinois.
The report would contain information regarding job training programs, including:
- The name of the state agency that appropriated this funding.
- The name of the job training program and funding source.
- The name and location of organizations receiving funding.
- Population and demographics served by the organization receiving funding.
- Outcomes of the job training programs, including:
- Number of participants enrolled.
- Demographic breakdown of participants.
- Types of training provided.
- Duration of training programs.
- Employment placement rates.
- Wage growth and advancement for program participants.
- Retention rates in the workforce.
Senate Bill 2907 was passed by the Senate on April 11 and will now be sent to the Illinois House of Representatives for consideration.
Legislation to Combat Landfill Sludge and Debris Passes Senate
Republican lawmakers advanced legislation last week to combat issues caused by trash and debris stuck to trucks leaving landfills.
Senate Bill 3566, sponsored by Senator Erica Harriss, would require a landfill in any county with a population over 250,000 to provide onsite facilities to clean the mud, gravel, waste, and other material from the wheels and undercarriages of trucks and other vehicles leaving the site.
SB 3566 unanimously passed the Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.