In my last newsletter I provided a roundup on my legislative accomplishments and priorities. This edition I wanted to provide you with an update on our big legislative wins as well as an overview on the budget.
Funding in our fiscal year 2022 budget stayed flat totaling around $42.3 billion. We were also able to close $655 million in corporate tax loopholes to ensure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. Although we had assumed revenues would be lower last fiscal year due to the pandemic, revenues outpaced our predictions and we were able to accelerate repayment to the federal government of $3.2 billion in emergency borrowing which will save the state tens of millions of dollars. This budget also allocates the first year of federal American Rescue Package Act monies that will be flowing from the federal government to aid in post COVID recovery. Top line investments are highlighted below:
- Additional $350 million for K-12 education, bringing the total to $9.2 billion.
- $7.7 Billion in federal funds to schools
- $28.2 million more for MAP grants for a total $479.6M for need based college financial aid
- $3.4B for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- $170 million in additional investment in services for people with developmental disabilities
- Fully funds FY22 pension contribution of $9.4 billion
ARPA State-Controlled Funds:
$1.5 billion for crucial investments in Illinois businesses, families, and communities, including:
- $570 million for small businesses and impacted industries, including the $450M Economic Recovery plan outlined below
- $350 million for public health response, pandemic assistance to health care industry and behavioral health investments
- $100 million for violence prevention and summer youth employment efforts across the state
- $100 million for affordable housing, supportive housing and homelessness initiatives.
2021 ARPA Economic Recovery Plan: $450M initial investment:
- $300 million for Back to Business Grants, with 40 percent of the funds going to communities that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
- $10 million for Tourism promotion and Main Street festival grants
- $50 million for Workforce Recovery efforts
- $20 million for Community Navigators and targeted business support services
- $25 million for the DCEO RISE program for local economic recovery planning and partnerships
- $45 million in capital for commercial corridors and downtowns that have experienced disinvestment.
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Representative Cassidy showcases appropriate mask as time runs out for regular session and the House goes into overtime until 3am on adjournment day |
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Recap on bills that have passed both chambers and are awaiting Governor Pritzker's signature:
Education
SB818: modernizes sex education for k-12 students with medically accurate and age-appropriate educational tools on sexual health inclusive of gender and sexual identity. It also removes outdated and inappropriate language standards.
HB641: requires that all public universities and community colleges provide feminine hygiene products in all restrooms free of charge.
HB219: creates regulations for the State Board of Education around the use of restraints and isolated timeouts in schools across Illinois. This bill will correct the use of restraints for our most vulnerable students.
SB654: requires schools with at least five or more hours of curriculum to include a minimum of 30 minutes of supervised, unstructured play time and applies to grades K-8.
HB 376: also known as the TEEACH act requires Asian American history be taught in public schools.
Housing
HB2621: creates new incentives for affordable housing, which can reduce property tax bills for those property owners. This bill has passed both Houses and awaits the Governor’s approval.
HB2877: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act: This bill ensures access to emergency rental assistance funds for people with low incomes and eliminates barriers for struggling renters and landlords. The bill also seals eviction records to protect renters and expands the foreclosure moratorium. This bill passed both chambers and was already signed into law by Governor Pritzker.
Restorative Justice
HB3665: currently incapacitated and dying individuals in Illinois prisons can only seek early release via clemency by the Governor. This bill allows a path for these individuals to petition the Prison Review Board for mandatory supervised release if they meet the conditions.
SB2122: aims to prevent false confessions from minors and bans law enforcement from using deceptive tactics to extract information. Any oral, written, or sign language statement from a minor made as a result of custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention shall be presumed inadmissible as evidence in criminal proceedings or juvenile court proceedings if during the interrogation practices of deception were knowingly engaged.
Voting, Elections and Ethics
HB3540: requires that election authorities provide added protections for voters with disabilities in order to ensure that they have appropriate access to vote by mail. This provision was included in SB825, the election omnibus bill.
HB3548: creates a permanent vote by mail list for qualified voters allowing individuals to opt in to automatically receive vote by mail ballots. This provision was included in SB825, the election omnibus bill. SB825 has passed both chambers.
HB1871: amends the Election Code to ensure that remaining funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act, are distributed to the State Board of Elections for maintenance and securing of drop off votes by mail boxes. Requires election authorities to accept ballots returned with insufficient or no postage. Allows election authorities to continue the use of permissive curb-side voting programs, which was also put in place for the 2020 General Election, in addition to current state and federal laws requiring accommodations for persons with temporary or permanent disabilities. This bill was passed by both chambers and signed into law by Governor Pritzker in April.
Economic Opportunity
HB3289: extends the renewal of property tax exemptions for low-income seniors (commonly referred to as the “senior freeze” exemption) as well as persons and veterans with disabilities. This extension will cover the 2021 Tax Year.
HB3582: Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) expands the current law to include employees who are survivors of violent crimes and employees with family or household members who are survivors. This law provides unpaid, job-guaranteed leave, reasonable accommodations, and protections from discrimination. It also clarifies what documentation an employer can request from an employee as “proof” of the need for leave and it expands the definition of family member to be more inclusive.
Healthcare
HB158: Healthcare and Human Services Reform Act is the fourth and final pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus's legislative agenda that was not called for a vote before the end of the 101st General Assembly. This bill contains provisions addressing community health workers, hospital reform, medical implicit bias training, substance abuse and mental health, access to health care, hospital closures, managed care organization reform, and maternal and infant mortality. The intent of the bill is to remedy health care disparities and inequities among Black Illinoisans. This bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in April.
HB3308: telehealth has become crucial to providing healthcare even as we reopen our city and state. This bill ensures that insurance will cover healthcare in the form of telehealth.
SB512: provides that it is unlawful to sell or distribute specific electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarette packaging as well as outlines advertising and manufacturing requirements. This bill has passed both Houses.
HB1063: decriminalizes HIV transmission and modernizes how we approach this public health issue. HIV criminalization does not improve health or safety in Illinois and instead further stigmatizes those living with HIV, their families and communities.
Racial Equity and Equality
HB3821: creates a Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare Task Force in Illinois that will examine the disproportionate impact the foster system has on Black families and communities.
SB 817: bans discrimination against hairstyles in Illinois public, private and charter schools. It prohibits schools from issuing policies or including any language in handbooks about hairstyles traditionally associated with race and ethnicity, including braids, dreadlocks, and protective hairstyles.
SB139: also known as the marriage certificate modernization act ensures that couples can receive updated marriage certificates from the Cook County Clerk’s office free of gendered language. This bill is most significant for the LGBTQ+ community that are seeking accurate representation on their legal documents.
Immigration
HB2790: allows for public defenders in Cook County to represent immigrants at the Chicago Immigration Court. Unlike criminal defendants, those facing deportation did not have the same rights to a government-appointed attorney. This bill will provide undocumented individuals with the legal support they need to help avoid deportation.
SB667: closes all immigration detention centers in Illinois and restricts how local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration agents.
The Senate is returning next Tuesday the 15th and the House will return on Wednesday the 16th to call a few bills that we did not have time to pass before our scheduled adjournment. Those include:
HB 2643 Unemployment overpayment waivers: among other things this bill would allow for regular state unemployment recipients to request a waiver of repayment when the overpayment was due to no fault of their own. Current law only allows regular unemployment recipients who are overpaid to come to a repayment agreement and does not allow for a full waiver.
HB 804/SB1718 Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA): while multiple versions of this bill have been introduced negotiations between climate leaders in the legislature such as my colleague Ann Williams, stakeholders and industry members are continuing. The goal is to craft a policy solution that puts Illinois on a path to 100% renewable energy by 2050 and puts consumers and communities first instead of large corporations that are looking for a bail out.
HB 2908 Elected school board: The House has passed this several times in various forms over the years. This session, the Senate engaged more directly to craft a compromise that will eventually create an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools. The bill would create a 21 member board with a hybrid board transition phase with 10 elected members and the remaining 11 would be appointed until moving those seats to elected in 2026. Negotiations are continuing on this bill and we will provide updates in our upcoming newsletters.
HB 1797 Repeal of parental notice of abortions: removes the requirement for minors to notify a parent in order to terminate a pregnancy.
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In June we celebrate Pride Month to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots and rising activism for LGBTQ+ rights. Due to concerns about the pandemic, earlier this year, the city announced that the Pride Parade traditionally held the last Sunday in June will be delayed until October 3rd. Below you can find some Pride events in the Rogers Park/Andersonville/Edgewater area!
Pride North
DJ and music at a two-day block party event
Where: Glenwood Arts District of Rogers Park, Morse Red Line Stop
When: Saturday, June 26 and Sunday June 27 at 12PM
Admission: Free but must bring your vaccination card
Rainbow Story Time with Mr. James
Mr. James from the Chicago Pubic Library Edgewater Branch will help you celebrate Pride Month through a special story time for families with children ages 0 to 5.
Where: Zoom
When: Thursday, June 10 and Thursday, June 17 from 11AM-11:30AM
Admission: Must register at least 24 hours in advance, only one registration per household needed.
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Illinois Rental Assistance Program Tenant Led Applications Now Open and Mortgage Assistance Options
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Just a reminder that if you missed our townhall with details on how to apply for the Illinois Rental Assistance Program, you can watch the video here. Applications are now open and can be found here.
- Tenants can now initiate applications starting June 9.
- Tenants will have until Monday, June 14 to complete their portion of a landlord-initiated application.
- Landlords will have until Tuesday, July 6 to complete their portion of the tenant-initiated application.
If you are interested in applying and need assistance with the application please find a list of local housing stability service providers here. More details and FAQs can be found on the IHDA website.
City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program an Mortgage Assistance Program
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago has launched a mortgage assistance program for those that have not received mortgage assistance in the past. There is no hard deadline to apply and applications will remain open as long as there is funding. Find more details and eligibility requirements here.
Chicago has extended it's rental assistant application deadline to Tuesday, June 15. Landlords and tenants can apply. Details and eligibility requirements can be found here. Individuals can apply for the both the stat and city's program but can only choose one program to receive funds from if they are approved.
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Below you can find some resources on where to schedule your COVID vaccine as well as some available walk-in locations.
City Sites
General registration link
Now vaccinating people ages 12 and up. Those under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent to provide consent at every city site except Wrigley, where consent can be given both over the phone or in person.
You can also register for these sites by calling 312-746-4835.
Healthcare Providers
Most healthcare providers offer vaccine services and appointments. The following is information for Swedish Covenant Hospital, who offer both walk-in's and vaccines by appointment. Visit here for more information.
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Pharmacies
ZocDoc
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and ZocDoc are partnering to provide a new scheduling platform that will aggregate all available appointments throughout the city. Using ZocDoc, you will be able to find nearby vaccination locations, and view real-time appointment availability. You will also receive notifications when new appointments are available. Use the ZocDoc here.
Home Visits
Homebound Individuals can receive a vaccine at home. Paramedics with the Chicago Fire Department are making home visits to administer the vaccine for individuals in the following categories:
- a senior OR a person with a disability that requires in-home assistance, and
- a person who has to use adaptive equipment (like a ventilator, wheelchair, etc.) and/or accessible transportation to leave home.
If you or someone you know needs this service, please call (312) 746-4835. For more information visit here.
Upcoming Walk-Up Event Sunday, June 6
See the poster below. For more information visit here.
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Illinois Small Business Community Navigators Program (DUE JUNE 9th)
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To ensure Back to Business funds reach those most in need, the new budget dedicates funding to expanding outreach and technical assistance. This includes the Community Navigator program – leveraging community organizations who know firsthand the needs of their area businesses, to support them in applying and qualifying for funds. The program deploys a hub and spoke model to boost participation in programs by minority-owned businesses and those in hard to reach communities. DCEO will partner directly with larger grantees (“hubs”) that engage with smaller local, community-based organizations (“spokes”) to provide direct one-on-one support to targeted businesses. Community navigator services will play an important role in providing technical assistance to disadvantaged businesses seeking to benefit from federal relief efforts.
Potential Applicants: Non-profits and local governments
How Much: $100k - $2m. DCEO will issue up to 15 grants totaling up to $10 million to organizations that collectively cover every part of the state.
Due: Wednesday, June 9th
Application: Apply HERE to be a “Hub.” Organizations interested in becoming “Spokes” can have their interest posted on our website HERE.
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Care for Real wants to hear from you! |
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Care for Real has provided food, clothing, pet pantry, and other services. This year we are celebrating 50 years of caring and service to our community.
In order to help us plan for the future, we have begun a strategic planning process. The first step in this is a survey. We aspire to bring the broadest range of voices and perspectives into our process and this is one of the ways we are doing that. We love to hear from you as well! Your responses are anonymous will be kept in the strictest of confidence to aid us in our planning.
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Sincerely,
Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District
Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy
5533 N Broadway
Chicago IL 60640
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773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)
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