* Jewish Caucus…

Illinois Legislative Jewish Caucus Helps Pass Balanced Budget, Secures Funding to Protect Houses of Worship from Terrorism

Springfield, IL – As part of their efforts to pass a fiscally-responsible state budget that prioritizes providing resources to public safety initiatives, the Illinois Legislative Jewish Caucus (ILJC) secured $20 million in new funds for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSPG), which provides resources to non-profits that are at high risk of terrorist attacks.

“Over the past few years, we have seen an alarming rise in the number of crimes targeting minority communities in their houses of worship,” Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Highwood, said. “No one, regardless of their background, should be made to feel unsafe, and investing in the Non-Profit Security Grant Program is an important step toward that goal.”

In response to the rise in attacks targeting religious, ethnic, and racial minorities in communities across the state, the ILJC worked to include $20 million in funding for the NSPG in the state’s budget. The NSPG provides grants to non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, to keep them protected by purchasing equipment such as bulletproof glass and reinforced doors, offering safety training and planning for staff, and even hiring security professionals.

“Today’s action brings needed investment to communities looking to protect themselves,” said Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago. “This funding is the result of vulnerable communities across our state joining together and keeping each other safe. Not only will this help to save the lives of Jews who have faced devastating attacks in recent years, but of people of all different backgrounds across our state.”

“With many Illinoisans facing increased threats of violence due to bigotry, we must do everything in our power to provide the necessary tools to keep everyone safe,” said Sen. Ram Villivalam. “We cannot allow those who are blinded by their hate to intimidate residents and make them live in fear. I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow ILJC members to stamp out hatred and keep Illinois a welcoming home for all people.”

* Press release…

Illinois House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Mychal Moultry Jr. Funeral and Burial Assistance Act. The State of Illinois will now pay funeral and burial service providers up to $10,000 for respectable funerals and burials of children under the age of 17 who are murdered by gun violence if their family’s income is within 150% of the federal poverty level ($40,000 for a family of 4 in 2021).

Recent statistics:

• 45 children were murdered by gun violence under the age of 17 in Chicago, IL (2021). 14 already in 2022, on pace for 60 in 2022, a 33% increase than 2021
• 5 children were murdered by gun violence under the age of 17 in Peoria, IL (2021)
• 7 children were murdered by gun violence under the age of 17 in East St. Louis, IL (2021)
• The average cost for a funeral with burial in 2021=$9,420

(Source: National Association of Funeral Directors)

All direct payments to funeral and burial service providers are intended to alleviate some of the pain of families who are experiencing trauma and financial hardship following the loss of their child due to gun violence. Illinois currently reimburses families of murder victims for up to $10,000 in burial expenses. While helpful, many families have to take on tremendous debt or raise funds in a short time period to bury their children. Families may wait months or years for reimbursement. Now, families no longer are forced to take on debt or raise funds in a short period of time to bury their murdered child.

* Press release…

State Rep. Anna Moeller has championed new legislation to expand the amounts of savings and income spouses of nursing home residents can keep to care for themselves and their families.

For the past 10 years, federal guidelines have increased what community spouses of nursing home residents can keep of their own money. But Illinois has kept that level flat, with no increases to account for inflation.

Rep. Moeller’s legislation will increase the amount community spouses can keep each year for the next 10 years, until Illinois has reached the federal rates.

“It is critically important that we recognize the needs of our seniors in our community when their spouses need nursing home care,” said Moeller, D-Elgin. “In this time of rampant inflation, our seniors need help. By allowing them to keep more of their own hard-earned income and assets, without jeopardizing the standard of care of their spouses in nursing homes, we are showing them the respect that our seniors and their loved ones deserve.”

The measure has the strong support of AARP Illinois, the Illinois State Bar Association and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.

* Center Square…

During debate, Sims noted there is no language in the budget implementation bill that blocks the cost of living increase for state lawmakers, something that is estimated to cost taxpayers $485,400. That would be about $2,742 extra for lawmakers, if split evenly, though senators get higher pay than representatives. […]

The grocery tax of 1% will be zeroed out for a year and retailers must note that on receipts “to the extent feasible.”

The message on receipts from grocery stores must say “From July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2023, the State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0%.” The legislation says “if it is not feasible for the retailer to include the statement on any cash register tape, receipt, invoice, or sales ticket issued to customers, then the retailer shall post the statement on a sign that is clearly visible to customers. The sign shall be no smaller than 4 inches by 8 inches.”

* Politico…

Page 281 of the budget says the state will fund costs of a feasibility study of “projects under the Public-Private Partnership for Civic and Transit Infrastructure Project Act.” That may include one of the casino projects being considered in Chicago.

It’s a half-million dollar approp.