SPRINGFIELD – Following unprecedented job losses and economic hardship due to the pandemic, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) sponsored a bipartisan reform package to address challenges faced by the Illinois Department of Employment Security during the unemployment surge, which has now passed the House of Representatives and is one step closer to becoming law.

“IDES, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and business and labor groups worked together to craft this omnibus approach,” Holmes said. “It targets the weaknesses revealed in a system that wasn’t designed to address the wave of job losses, phone calls and fraudulent claims all hitting the department at once.”

House Bill 2643 revises the Unemployment Insurance Act, allowing IDES to communicate with legislators’ offices about specific constituent cases, and requires IDES to give more information to those issued overpayments and their right to appeal.

SPRINGFIELD – To share news and answer questions about legislation passed in the recent spring session, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and State Representatives Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) and Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) will hold two town halls this week.

“The three of us have successfully carried priority legislation through the General Assembly this year, on behalf of our constituents,” said Holmes. “This is a chance to summarize what was accomplished and answer questions from our communities about the positive outcomes for our area.”

The three lawmakers are holding two sessions for area residents’ convenience. First up is an in-person town hall at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 10 at the Perry Theatre at the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Center for Community Enrichment, located at 349 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora. Get details and sign up here: http://ow.ly/UlKY50F4Z9z.

On Saturday, June 12 a second session will be via Facebook Live from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Get more details, RSVP, then watch here: http://ow.ly/Y97z50F4Zgu.

Both events are open to the public and members of the media are welcome to attend.

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) applauded investments in pensions, local governments and the Illinois workforce in the upcoming fiscal year budget, which passed the Senate Monday.

“This is a balanced budget. I believe the most important part of what we passed tonight is that we will make our full pension payment as planned,” Holmes said. “This is such a cornerstone of our ongoing efforts to address our underfunded pension system.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to compel pet stores to get their animals from animal shelters or animal control facilities passed the Senate Monday, co-sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), in an effort to discourage the sale of pets from unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills and instead provide loving homes to animals who need them most.

“I’m proud to join in House Bill 1711 to push legislation on a pet store business model that has been growing across the U.S.,” Holmes said. “Puppy mills are a major source of animals for many pet stores, but their breeding practices result in sick and sometimes terminally ill animals, which can result in heartache for families.”