Search

Working for Illinois Caucus

House Downstate Democrats work for the good people of Illinois

Tag

16-Econ

Local legislators to host job fair

https://ift.tt/2VlQDMN

Metro East residents will have the opportunity to meet with potential employers face to face this weekend, thanks to local legislators, according to a press release.

State Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, Monica Bristow (D-Alton) and Jay Hoffman (D- Swansea), and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Edwardsville) will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6, at the Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., in Granite City.

“Searching for a new job can be a daunting task between the various mediums to post job listings,” Stuart said. “This is a great opportunity for those looking for employment to network directly with potential employers.”

The job fair will be made up of more than 20 different employers in the greater St. Louis area, representing various local industries. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their résumé to exchange with employers.

“This event is set up to help both employers and job seekers expedite the job search process,” Stuart said. “The jobs available at the fair will be a great steppingstone to beginning a career.”

This event is open to the public and free to attend, no RSVP is required. For more information, contact Stuart’s constituent office at 618-365-6650 or Bristow’s office at 618-465-5900.

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,19-Legal,16-Econ,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via stltoday.com

April 3, 2019 at 06:51AM

Equal pay legislation passes Illinois House

https://ift.tt/2JG2Que

thetimesweekly.com

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring House Bill 834, which recently passed out of the Illinois House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and would bar employers from asking job candidates their salary history.

“We know that discriminatory hiring practices, like asking job candidates for their salary history, can lock women into career-long wage inequity. Women are often paid less than their male counterparts, beginning as early as their first jobs,” Manley said. “I am proud to have helped lead the fight to pass this legislation. I am now circulating a petition to show the state Senate and Governor Pritzker that equal pay for equal work is want the people of Illinois want.”

Manley’s measure, House Bill 834, will crack down on discriminatory hiring practices that can lock women into career-long wage inequality. This measure recently passed out of the Illinois House with vast bipartisan support, and now advances to the state Senate for consideration.

“Since a gender wage gap still exists, House Bill 834 will strengthen the Illinois Equal Pay Act by making it a violation for employers to ask job applicants about their prior salary or to confirm it with their employer, in order to stop perpetuating unequal pay,” said Melissa Josephs, Director of Equal Opportunity Policy with Women Employed. “Instead, employers should hire employees based on their skills and experience and pay them based on their budget and the going rate for the job.”

Manley is now circulating an equal pay petition, collecting signatures of local residents to show that equal pay for equal work is long overdue, and is an idea supported by many Illinoisans. For more information, contact Rep. Manley’s constituent service office at RepManley@gmail.comRepManley@gmail.com or (815) 725-2741.

01-All No Sub,02-Pol,16-Econ,19-Legal,24-ILGA,26-Delivered,25-Working

News,Region: Joliet,Region: South Suburbs

via The Times Weekly stories https://ift.tt/2As9rC1

March 25, 2019 at 10:48PM

Lawmaker Wants to Avoid Overregulation of Marijuana | Alton Daily News

https://ift.tt/2OcvNMQ

More ideas about how to regulate recreational marijuana could surface this week, but one lawmaker wants to make sure the legislature doesn’t over-regulate the industry or consumers. 

Regulation ideas for Illinois have included allowing local control over cannabis sales, allowing adults to grow five plants at home, and even limiting how much one consumer can possess to one ounce.

Chris Stone with medical cannabis dispensary HCI Alternatives in Springfield and Collinsville said if such limits are implemented there are already systems in place to help with compliance.

Click here for summary

“We’re going to have a tracking system that’s going to make sure that whatever the limit is that you can’t go to 18 dispensaries and get the same amount of product, unlike most of the other states that are out there,” Stone said. “So, they’ve created a backend software and computer system that is going to be able to allow for that.”

Stone said couldn’t address the privacy concerns of possibly tracking consumer’s recreational habits, but said right now HIPPA laws protect medical patients’ information.

State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, said whatever ultimately passes should be similar to how tobacco and alcohol are treated.

“And we align those provisions to those current industries that were prohibited at one point but are now legal,” Ammons said. “So I think we are going to do ourselves a disservice by trying to police the cannabis bill in a way that will still create unintended consequences.”

Ammons put forward House Bill 902, which has less stringent government regulation compared with other suggestions that have been floated. Her bill would allow adults to grow up to 24 cannabis plants and to possess up to 224 grams, or nearly 8 ounces, outside of the home.

Ammons said her bill would apply a 10 percent tax on sales and require that at least 51 percent of the licenses for retail stores to be in “communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.” That bill could be heard in committee Tuesday. A Senate bill about cannabis, but without any provisions filed, is slated for a Senate hearing Wednesday.

(Copyright WBGZ Radio / www.AltonDailyNews.com)

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,E MCAI,E Stone,25-Working,26-Delivered,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via Alton Daily News

March 19, 2019 at 07:01AM

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑