SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a bill banning the use of elephants in traveling exhibitions including circuses. The measure was sponsored by State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora.

“African and Asian elephants are endangered species,” Holmes said. “Traveling circuses are not able to properly care for elephants and as a result, elephant exhibitions in Illinois have been found to be in violation of the Federal Animal Welfare Act several times. Allowing these inhumane practices to continue would be irresponsible and poor stewardship of such impressive animals.”

Supported by the Humane Society, the ban on traveling elephant exhibitions will put an end to a practice that has been dying out in recent years due to pressure from the public. The legislation would ban elephants in traveling exhibitions. It would not ban elephants in zoos or any other permanent institution that ensures adequate conditions for the animals.

"For too long, elephants used in circuses have endured cruel training, constant confinement, and deprivation of all that is natural to them,” said Marc Ayers, state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “The public has come to see that these animals are victims, not willing performers. Illinois has taken a monumental step in ending this outdated form of entertainment and we urge other cities and states to follow suit.”

Senate Bill 1342 was signed into law by Gov. Rauner on Friday. The law will take effect starting January 1, 2018.

SPRINGFIELD – Aurora would be punished for its economic development efforts if Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1 is approved by legislators.

“Bruce Rauner has achieved what was once thought unachievable. With the stroke of a pen, he stirred up havoc for both small businesses and public schools across Illinois” Holmes said.

Under Rauner’s plan, special economic development funds known as Tax Increment Financing districts (TIFs), would be counted against the state support school districts receive. Because school districts generally don’t have access to TIF revenue, they would effectively receive less state funding because communities with TIFs would appear to have more available resources than they can access.

Rauner’s short-sighted plan, which was only exposed this week, punishes Illinois communities in need of both economic development and increased state investment for schools.

“It’s remarkable that Bruce Rauner is championing a plan that not only reduces funding for schools, but also handicaps incentives to create jobs in virtually every Illinois community,” State Senator Linda Holmes (D – Aurora) said. “By penalizing communities for using available tools to fight blight and improve the business climate, Rauner yet again reveals his commitment to pitting neighbor against neighbor while creating uncertainty in public institutions.”

Rauner’s amendatory veto penalizes hundreds of Illinois communities who desperately need adequate education funding and aggressive economic development tools. Aurora currently has seven TIF districts.

Because Rauner has kept the details of his plans quiet from lawmakers and the media until this week, it is unclear how much state investment Aurora potentially loses out on. Holmes says it has little merit while students, parents and schools need the stability to open – and stay open – within days.

For a full listing of TIF districts throughout Illinois, click here:

https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/comptroller/assets/File/MunicipalitiesWithTIFDistricts_August2016.pdf

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1, an education funding reform measure:

“Today, Governor Rauner allowed partisan extremism and political grudges to get in the way of doing the right thing when he vetoed Senate Bill 1. If passed, this bill would increase state funding for every school in Illinois by sending funding to districts where it is needed most according to a data-driven formula. A month ago, the Rauner administration claimed to be in support of 90 percent of this bill, which is more than most parties to any compromise get.

“Schools in my district will be forced to close as soon as the end of October if Senate Bill 1 does not become law. It is time for the General Assembly to come together and get this passed so that schools can open this fall and remain open all year.”

SPRINGFIELD – In response to President Donald Trump’s recent actions on climate change, State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, joined dozens of state elected officials in signing a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner inviting him to stand with them in support the Paris Climate Agreement.

“We are calling on Governor Rauner to stand with us against global warming, rising sea levels and other preventable catastrophes,” Holmes said. “Illinois can and should continue to lead the way on environmental protection by working toward the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.”

President Trump withdrew support for the international agreement last week. The Paris Climate Agreement is a United Nations initiative that aims to manage the global average temperature, improve ability to adapt to climate change and increase investment in green technology. So far 148 of the 197 parties to the convention that drew up the agreement have ratified it.

Those who signed the letter to Gov. Rauner call on him to join the governors of 12 other states including Washington, California and New York in continuing to work to limit carbon emissions.

“Fighting climate change is especially important in a state like Illinois, where agriculture is so important to our economy and our communities. We should join states like Washington, California and New York in protecting the environment, as the president refuses to do so,” Holmes said.