AURORA – In an historic year for our state due to increased revenues, paid down debt, interest savings and a recovering economy, the Fiscal Year 2023 Illinois state budget passed the General Assembly on April 8. This week, the governor signed the measure into law at Chicago State University, accompanied by lawmakers, CSU officials, students and other guests.

In response to this milestone budget’s signing, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement:

AURORA - After growing concerns about the prospect of increasing crime in Kane and Kendall counties, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has organized an event where members of the public can join her, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird for a Crime and Safety Seminar.

“I know local residents are troubled about crime in our communities and what they can do to protect their home and families,” Holmes said. “Sheriffs Baird and Hain will be on hand to talk about the nature of crime in our communities and how their departments are looking to community members to help stem the tide.”

“The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office are partners with a variety of community groups to create an ongoing, open dialogue to help us better understand the needs of our community,” Baird said. “We can then develop strategies to address those needs and identify ways to more effectively combat crime.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) strongly supported the Illinois Senate Democrats’ package of initiatives aimed to support law enforcement officers and improve the state’s criminal justice system.

“Law enforcement officers risk their personal safety and lives to keep our families and neighbors safe,” Holmes said. “I’m proud to support a plan to offer additional protections and ensure they have the necessary tools to address rising crime rates.”

Among the measures Holmes supports are House Bill 4608, which updates guidelines for when officers are required to wear body cameras as well as allows grants for body cameras to cover storage of video data. Holmes added a waiver for the training requirements if an officer has completed an approved training program and firearms training.

SPRINGFIELD – When a woman requires a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes causes estrogen to drop and menopause to begin. Insurance companies may soon be required to cover hormone therapy treatments under a plan led by State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

“A lack of estrogen causes women to develop osteoporosis, weak bones, hot flashes and other symptoms,” Holmes said. “Hormone therapy replaces some or all of the estrogen the woman’s ovaries would be making. Adding estrogen back into a woman’s body lowers their risk of certain medical conditions.”