Sound of the State

Teachers will soon see an increase in minimum salary in Illinois, thanks to a new law from State Senator Andy Manar. That story, and others, in this week's Majority Report podcast, from the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.

As schools return to session around Illinois, more new laws are being signed. In this edition of The Majority Report, we take a look at a law from State Senator Melinda Bush addressing harassment and discrimination in the work place, a law from State Senator Terry Link improving mental health care for first responders, and more.

State Senator Robert Martwick was recently appointed to the Illinois Senate, replacing State Senator John Mulroe. In this edition of the Senate Showcase, get to know State Senator Robert Martwick.

As the State Fair runs in Springfield, more new laws are being signed. In this edition of The Majority Report, we take a look at a law from State Senator Andy Manar that seeks to help students pursue financial aid, as well as efforts to prevent suicides among college students and protect the rights of living organ donors in Illinois.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joined other members of the General Assembly, along with Governor JB Pritzker, for the signing of HB834, which strengthens Equal Pay laws in Illinois, on July 31, 2019.

As the summer rolls on, Senate Democrats are hard at work in their districts and new laws are being signed by Governor JB Pritzker. In this week's edition of The Majority Report, we take a look at several of those new laws, including one from State Senator Ram Villivalam that protects the children of immigrant detainees.

This week's edition of The Majority Report discusses a call for a review of state contracts with Land of Lincoln Goodwill, after that organization's decision to lay off certain disabled workers as a result of the state's minimum wage increase, as well as a plan to help fight maternal mortality, and efforts to curb outbreaks of water-borne illnesses like Legionnaires' disease.

As the summer continues, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus remain busy in their districts, hosting senior seminars, business development events, job fairs, and other community events.

As the summer months continue, new laws are being signed and going into effect in Illinois. This week's edition of The Majority Report takes a look at several of those news laws, including stiffer penalties for cell phone use while driving, an increase in the age to purchase tobacco, and others.

As the new fiscal year begins in Illinois, get the latest on the process of legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state, the state's new infrastructure plan, and learn about the newest member of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, Senator Robert Martwick.

Get the latest on the retirement of State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), as well as an executive order from Governor JB Pritzker dealing with the 2020 Census, and a new law from State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) in this week's Majority Report.

In this week's edition of The Majority Report, get a review of the legislative accomplishments of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus since January, including the passage of the $15 per hour minimum wage, adult-use cannabis, the state's first infrastructure plan in a decade, and more!

In this edition of The Majority Report, the final week of the legislative session is reviewed, including the passing of the FY2020 budget, the first infrastructure plan since 2009, adult-use cannabis, and a constitutional amendment to give Illinois voters an opportunity to vote to change the state's income tax from a flat tax to a fair tax that calls on those earning the most to pay their fair sha...

In this edition of the "Senate Showcase" podcast, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) discusses her legislation aimed at tackling sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

In this week's edition of The Majority Report - * Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz leads efforts to strengthen "Scott's Law". * Senator Linda Holmes passes legislation to increase oversight of DCFS. * And we have highlights of Senator Jacqueline Collins' comments at a Springfield anti-gun violence rally.

In this week's edition of The Majority Report, get up to date on the latest in the effort to legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois, as well as a possible rise in the tobacco tax and what April's unexpected revenue means for the financial outlook for the state of Illinois and the push for a change in the state's constitution regarding tax structure and rates.

In this edition of The Majority Report podcast, you'll get the latest on an effort to move Illinois from the flat tax to the fair tax, as well as new partnerships emerging as the Senate moves ahead on a possible infrastructure capital bill.

This edition of the Senate Showcase features State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and a conversation about legislation recently filed that would legalize adult-use cannabis in Illinois.

David Bushby, the Consul General of Australia in Chicago, addressed the Illinois Senate on May 8, 2019.

State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) argues on behalf of working families in Illinois as the Illinois Senate advances the fair tax on May 1, 2019.

State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) joins the Senate Showcase podcast to talk about Senate Bill 1719, the "KIDS Act", which aims to improve the level of consumer privacy when using electronic devices.

The Consul General of China in Chicago, Zhao Jian, addressed the Illinois Senate on May 1, 2019.

State Senator Don Harmon explains the proposed Constitutional amendment to move from a flat tax to a fair tax in Illinois, as the Senate prepares to begin debate on the subject.

Get updates on the latest in a series of statewide hearings regarding infrastructure needs as the General Assembly considers an infrastructure bill and an effort to limit the creation of new local government units in this week's edition of The Majority Report.