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Rockford Public Schools students share concerns with lawmakers – WIFR

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Rockford Public Schools students hammered lawmakers about issues regarding public education in Rockford.

The session was part of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council’s fifth annual legislative luncheon. During the luncheon, students from Rockford Public Schools’ Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council had the chance and ask a panel of lawmakers questions related to the future of education.

Legislators who attended were Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman, and Illinois State Representatives Dave Vella and Maurice West.

“Having that conversation with our students at the end was the best part. The fact that their questions were thoughtful and engaged makes me feel like we’re gonna be in good hands in the future,” said Rep. West.

School board member June Stanford hopes the event gives teens more confidence and gives them a chance to have their voices heard.

“It’s great for them. It’s great experience public speaking, speaking in front of peers and adults it’s a great experience all around,” said Stanford.

The students’ questions covered a wide range of topics like transportation funding and mental health resources, although leaders say the Trump Administration’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, means there’s a lot of uncertainty with where funding for these types of programs could come from.

Rep. West sympathized with the students, saying he can only handle things within Illinois; at the federal level, his hands are tied.

“I’m going to be a voice to ensure that we know any funding that goes to our young people is not an expense, it’s an investment,” said West.

Copyright 2025 WIFR. All rights reserved.

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March 17, 2025 at 10:45PM

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La Salle County Democrats to host state Rep. Briel for annual dinner

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The La Salle County Democrats are holding their annual dinner on Saturday, March 22, at the Knights of Columbus, 401 W. Main St., Ottawa.

State Rep. Murri Briel, D-Ottawa, will be the speaker.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $75 per person or $600 per table (eight people). Proceeds will benefit the La Salle County Democrats.

For tickets, call 773-575-2337; or mail La Salle County Democrats at PO Box 591, Ottawa, IL 61350; or use ActBlue at https://shorturl.at/he6kT

For information go to lasallecountydemocrats.org or call 773-575-2337.

Region: Northern,Feeds,News,Region: La Salle

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March 8, 2025 at 11:23PM

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State Rep. Kifowit encourages open conversations about mental health

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Oswego State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit is encouraging people to check in on their mental health. She has been assigned to a state committee on suicide prevention.

"I just want to encourage everybody. I know it’s a conversation that’s hard to have but, I as a parent have that conversation with my children even now that they’re adults and stress to them that life gets hard," Kifowit said.

"Sometimes you might have a feeling that you might not wanna be with this life But, as a loved one I love you, we want you here on this earth with us and if things get tough to let us know just to have that conversation and you have to have it frequently because don’t just assume somebody’s happy because they’re smiling on the outside. They can be crying on the inside."

Kifowit says there are many mental health resources available.

One way to get immediate help is by calling 988.

Local,Region: South Suburbs,Region: Joliet

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March 8, 2025 at 07:06AM

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Scholarship honors northern Illinois’ first Black state Rep. Chuck Jefferson – MyStateline

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… policy, or law, in honor of the legacy of the region’s first black state representative, Chuck Jefferson.

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March 4, 2025 at 05:51PM

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Blue Room: West to Join Mascots Matter in Effort to Change Harmful School Mascot Names

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, will join advocacy group Mascots Matter this Wednesday, March 5 at 1 p.m. for a Capitol Blue Room press conference to discuss their initiative to prohibit public schools from using discriminatory disability mascots.

“We need to ensure all schools across Illinois show empathy and compassion in addressing the problematic names of certain mascots,” said State Rep. Maurice West. “Our schools should be a place we teach our children about respect and understanding, and holding on to sport nicknames considered to be a slur is irresponsible.”

“This week, the Mascots Matter campaign is proud to join Representative Maurice West at the Illinois State Capitol to discuss House Bill 3527, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that seeks to eliminate harmful and outdated mascots from Illinois schools, including those that perpetuate harmful stereotypes toward individuals with disabilities defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Shelby Holloway, Co-Director of the Mascots Matter Campaign. “This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that all individuals are empowered to embrace diversity, respect, and cultural understanding. We believe that this important measure will help foster a more inclusive future for Illinois, one that honors the dignity of every community.”

West’s House Bill 3527 creates the Prohibition of Discriminatory Disability Mascots Act and would require relevant public schools to phase out their problematic name, logo, mascot and other relevant material. “Discriminatory disability mascot” is defined in the legislation as any name, logo or mascot that is derogatory or representative of an individual or group based on disability, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

If passed and implemented, impacted schools would need to have adopted a new mascot identity by September 1, 2028.

For more information, please contact Press@StateRepWest.com or call 815-987-7433.

Who: State Rep. Maurice West, Mascots Matter
What: Blue Room press conference on House Bill 3527/Mascots Matter Advocacy Day
When: Wednesday, March 5, 2025; 1 p.m.
Where: Capitol Blue Room

Rep. Maurice WestRep. Maurice West

(D-Rockford)
67th District

Visit Rep. Maurice West’s website

Springfield Office:
277-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-3167

District Office:
E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi Center
200 S. Wyman
Suite 304
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7433

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March 4, 2025 at 05:19PM

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Rep. Hoffman prevailing wage bill passes out of committee

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An Illinois state legislator suggests a proposed amendment to the Prevailing Wage Act could drive up costs for taxpayers.

House Bill 1189 says if there is a federally-funded construction project that is run by the state or a unit of local government that the higher of the federal prevailing wage or the state prevailing wage will apply to that project.

Sean Stott, the director of governmental affairs at the Laborers’ International Union of North America, said the bill ensures Illinois workers protection from action on the federal level in regards to wage setting. 

“The Illinois prevailing wage rates are set by collective bargaining agreements, and the federal rates are as well. But there is a ‘lag time’ and that could be as long as two, three or even seven years,” Stott said during the House Labor and Commerce Committee Wednesday. “In terms of enforcement … they must go to the US Department of Labor as opposed to the more localized Illinois Department of Labor if they are to seek any redress or compensation that they are due. This legislation would address both of those issues.”

The federal minimum wage for government-funded construction projects is governed by the Davis-Bacon Act. 

State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox Lake, voted against the bill’s advancement. 

“When we are talking about the wage for a carpenter or an electrician, maybe Illinois’ prevailing wage is $93 and the Davis-Bacon wage is $90, with total benefits. This seems like a way to nickel and dime a little more out of the taxpayers,” said Weber. “We’re not talking $25 an hour jobs, we’re talking about jobs that are probably up in the $70, $80 and $90 range.”

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, sponsored the bill. 

“Several other states follow this method including: Minnesota, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and even Missouri’s Department of Transportation follows this method,” said Hoffman. “As you know, the prevailing wage in Illinois is set by what is in a collective bargaining agreement. That agreement is sent to the Illinois Department of Labor and they will change and update the prevailing wage in a given area and for a given trade. Unfortunately the federal government has not changed the prevailing wage to reflect the most recent collective bargaining agreement.”

Concerns were also raised Wednesday about whether or not the new legislation, if enacted, would result in federally-funded construction projects not being completed. 

State Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest, asked, “If more money has to be paid out on wages for a project, is there going to be enough money to complete the project?”

Stott said contractors and bidders should be aware of what the wage rates would be for any particular project. 

“Labor costs on a typical construction project are going to represent a smaller fraction of the total cost,” Stott said. “Materials are going to be overwhelmingly the biggest cost-driver on a project. The labor-side of things, I’m not going to say it won’t move the needle, but it won’t move the needle that much.”

HB  1189 passed out of committee 18 to nine. 

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March 3, 2025 at 06:23AM

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Halpin Pushes Bill to Crack Down on Human Trafficking | Prairie Communications, LLC

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State Senator Mike Halpin passed a bill through committee Wednesday that would ensure businesses give their employees mandated human trafficking …

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February 27, 2025 at 09:57AM

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State Representative Sharon Chung says the state will not stray from a balanced budget

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — On Monday, the 91st District’s State Representative Sharon Chung stopped by the WMBD-TV to share her thoughts about Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State Address.

"The governor’s introduced budget is just the blueprint for where we start. Over the next few months all we’re going to do is go through the budget line by line trying to figure out where we’re going to cut if we have to cut, where we’re going to spend," she said. "What I’ve always told people is since the governor has been in office, since I’ve been in office, we’ve always delivered a balance budget and we’re not going to stray from that this year."

Having only been in office since 2023 she is proud to have been apart of the increase funding for education and infrastructure while working to keep healthcare costs down.

Feeds,News,City: Peoria,Peoria,Central

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February 25, 2025 at 06:26PM

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New bill would raise age in which Illinois seniors need to take a driving test

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  • Bill would align driving laws with other states, supporters say.
  • Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias drafted the legislation.
  • Crash rate for senior drivers is the lowest, legislators say, citing IDOT data.

Drivers who are between 79 and 86 years old would no longer have to take a behind-the-wheel driving test to maintain a driver’s license in Illinois under proposed legislation.

Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, filed House Bill 1226 along with a long list of House sponsors showing support.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias drafted the legislation, according to a news release.

More:Deadline to get a REAL ID looms for Illinois residents. Do you need one? What to know.

The Land of Lincoln is the only state that requires the driving test based on age, both Giannoulias’ office and Rep. Hoffman said. They also said Illinois is one of five states that does not allow immediate family members to report concerns about a relative’s driving ability, which the bill would change.

“Our state’s crash data indicates that the crash rate for drivers aged 75 and older is lower than any other age range of drivers,” Rep. Hoffman wrote in a press release, citing 2023 crash rate data from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The bill has been placed on the calendar for a second reading and short debate.

What would the law change?

Legislation would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code to raise the age from 79 to 87 when drivers need to take a behind-the-wheel test to renew their license, in addition to creating a process for family members to report any concerns about driving ability.

More:Here are the 10 most dangerous intersections in Springfield

What is the law currently?

Drivers aged 79 and 80 must currently renew their license every four years, in addition to taking a behind-the-wheel test and a vision test.

Drivers between the ages of 81 and 86 years old must currently renew their license every two years as well as take a behind-the-wheel test and a vision test.

And drivers over 87 years-old must renew their license annually. To pass, they need to take a behind-the-wheel test and a vision test.

How did the Secretary of State get involved?

Giannoulias and the American Association of Retired Persons both support the initiative, according to a release from Giannoulias’ office. The Act seeks to make Illinois consistent with other states, they wrote.

“AARP Illinois has heard for years from our members about how the driving test requirement disproportionately affects older drivers and perpetuates false narratives about their driving abilities,” stated AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent.

Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.

City: Freeport

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February 25, 2025 at 04:32AM

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