SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker put his signature on the bipartisan, balanced state budget and fair tax rates plan approved by the General Assembly:

“Illinois is on a new path to budget discipline and stability. This budget continues our progress in restoring our schools and higher education institutions, our human service programs, our public safety agencies and economic and community development efforts. It provides grants for young people to attend college, offers potential property tax relief to homeowners, and includes pro-business tax reforms and incentives for job creation.”

“I support the fair tax constitutional amendment proposal primarily because it gives voters the choice on whether to change our system or not. Every year, I sponsor legislation that takes decision-making from boards or state commissions and puts them in the hands of local municipalities, school boards and voters. I believe Illinoisans deserve the chance at the ballot box to consider a modern, fair tax system.”

SPRINGFIELD – Right now, a state commission can overturn a local school board’s decision to deny a charter school application in their school district. Under a plan from State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), that decision would remain in local hands.

Senate Bill 1226 would change the charter school application process to abolish the State Charter School Commission by July 1, 2020, and transfers most of its duties to the Illinois State Board of Education. Locally elected school boards and parents would decide if a charter school is good for their community.

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure regarding animal welfare sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) passed the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 241 amends the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to prohibit importation or sale of cosmetic products or ingredients that use animal testing after the effective date of the act. Modern testing alternatives are less expensive, faster and more predictive of human reactions than past practices of painful tests on animals to assess the safety of chemicals used in cosmetics.

This ban does not include cosmetic products or ingredients that have been tested on animals but are currently being sold before the implementation date.

“Consumers’ expectations are moving toward products that are not tested on animals, and big personal product brands are changing their practices,” Holmes said. “There are alternative testing methods that are good for business, safe for consumers, and certainly move us forward to a humane approach by eliminating the cruel practices of the past.”

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure from State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) would require more rapid response by the courts and law enforcement in issuing stalking, domestic violence and civil no contact orders. House Bill 3396 passed the Illinois House on concurrence today.

“If someone is being stalked, they deserve immediate response from the courts and law enforcement,” Holmes said. “A no-contact order needs to be moved swiftly from the courts to law enforcement no matter what day or time it is granted when someone’s safety and peace of mind are being threatened.”

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