SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is ready to get started on the new legislative session and was pleased to hear Gov. JB Pritzker describe his priorities for the year in his State of the State address to the General Assembly.

“I share his enthusiasm for taking on college affordability, healthcare, property tax and pension reform, and government consolidation,” Holmes said. “And we must continue to fight against the culture of corruption at the Capitol. We have to rebuild the public’s trust and I expect the governor and General Assembly to put together a strong ethics reform package this year.”

Holmes looks forward to her new role as Assistant Majority Leader with Senate President Don Harmon’s team.

“We have a diverse caucus with a wide range of priorities, representing a diverse state, and I feel confident we can work together to address those priorities,” Holmes said. “I’m working on a range of legislation for this session, from insurance reform to addressing affordable healthcare and pre-authorization practices, to helping farmers deal with problems controlling herbicides, to my continuing efforts in animal welfare. It’s going to be a busy and productive year.”

AURORA – Four local school districts will receive nearly $39,000 in grants through the Illinois secretary of state’s School Library Grant program, Senator Linda Holmes announced today.

The grants, which are issued by the Illinois State Library, are meant to help public schools offer more library books and materials to students.

“Libraries are fantastic resources for students to find content for research, audio and video materials, and books to boost their love of reading,” said Holmes, an Aurora Democrat. “This support will go a long way toward helping school libraries offer new and updated materials as children hone their reading skills and discover the thrill of picking up a great book.”

Schools receiving school library grants include:

• Aurora West CUSD #129 -- $8,601.75
• East Aurora CUSD #131 -- $9,595.50
• Indian Prairie CUSD # 204 – $19,908.75
• Illinois Math & Science Academy -- $750.00

AURORA – Illinois became the 37^th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in 2018, and State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) is pleased the Virginia legislature ratified the ERA today. This brings the total number of states to ratify to 38 -- the threshold necessary for it to be included in the U.S. Constitution -- and it sets the stage for all 38 states to call for a historic constitutional convention.

“This is a good day,” Holmes said. “It is frustrating that there are still several hoops to jump through to actually get the ERA over the finish line, but we will keep working to enshrine the simple concept of equality in our nation’s Constitution, as it should have always been.”

Holmes notes that this year is the 100^th anniversary of the amendment’s introduction; she expects the anniversary and ratification benchmark to be observed in Illinois.

Holmes serves as the co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus.

SPRINGFIELD – With so much ongoing pressure on the state’s pensions systems, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and the Senate passed a measure in November to consolidate local police and firefighter pensions. Governor JB Pritzker signed the measure into law today.

“Consolidation is one means to reduce some of Illinois’ pension funding crisis; it will save the state millions of dollars in administrative costs without affecting the members’ benefits,” Holmes said. Holmes was the chief co-sponsor of the legislation.

Under Senate Bill 1300, the roughly 650 separate funds will be consolidated over a 30-month transition period. It is expected to save $160 million annually.

“Every option has to be considered to address the pension crisis, and I’m happy this worked out among the legislators and advocates negotiating for a solution,” Holmes said. “It is just one step, but it is one in the right direction. Now it’s time for more progress.”