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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SPRINGFIELD – A measure to legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois, co-sponsored by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), has passed the Illinois Senate. Holmes released the following statement in reaction to the Senate passing House Bill 1438 to the House today:

“I believe legalizing adult-use cannabis is the right move for Illinois. The legislation is comprehensive in covering my concerns about prohibiting access to young people, enforcing driving under the influence laws, addressing criminal justice and restoring communities that have endured high crime due to the illegal distribution of cannabis.

“It is obvious the associated revenue will support our general funding, pay for community reinvestment, mental health and substance abuse programs, law enforcement, and help the state pay our bills. I look forward to the House passing this and the governor signing it into law soon.”