SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) voted in favor of Senate Bill 10 that would allow same-sex couples the same legal rights as other married couples in Illinois.

“Although we passed civil unions, an important first step, marriage equality will make sure we no longer have a ‘separate but equal’ designation for same-sex couples in Illinois.  We will make sure gay and lesbian couples will be treated fairly under the law,” Holmes said.

Illinois joins Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, Rhode Island, California, Minnesota and the District of Columbia in allowing marriage equality.

Senator Linda Holmes recently held her second Latino Advisory Board meeting, bringing together members of the Latino community from a variety of professions and organizations.

The attendees included members of the business community, local government officials, community organizers and those working for financial institutions.

The gathering was as diverse as the topics addressed, which included economic and educational development, immigration and pension reform.

The Latino Advisory Board was created by Senator Holmes and meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss the best ways of improving the lives of Latinos living in the 42nd District.

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The Enhanced P.E. Task Force, in which Senator Linda Holmes (D - Aurora) serves as a member, is working 'to promote and recommend enhanced physical education programs that can be integrated with a broader wellness stragegy and health curriculum in elementary and secondary schools'.

Recently, the Promotion Committee of the Enhance P.E. Task Force created and compiled several resources about the importance of physical education and events and news relating to the task force.

Springfield – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement in anticipation of Thursday’s conference committee on pension reform:

“This Conference Committee gives us an opportunity to move forward on a comprehensive pension stabilization plan that is constitutional and fair,” Holmes said.  “I will continue to advocate for people who have spent their lives serving the people of Illinois.  During these negotiations, we must be conscious of the rights of working men and women as well as the economic security of retirees. Of course, this issue is about the State’s finances, but we should remember it also about people’s lives.”

Click below to hear an audio statment from Senator Holmes regarding the creation of the pension conference committee: