Dear Friends,

As we pass into autumn, I was so pleased to mark an exciting new milestone for Oswego: The grand reopening of the Oswego Public Library! This revitalization project has been a long time in the making, and it ensures that Oswego’s library will remain an important fixture that continues to play a vital role in the community. Congratulations to everybody who worked so hard.

Here’s some more news from my office:

HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

After a year filled with important environmental discussions here in Springfield, I’m grateful to the Illinois Environmental Council’s recognition of my voting record. More importantly, I’m grateful they continue to advocate strongly for the preservation of our environment.

In addition to sponsoring legislation that would have banned ivory sales in Illinois, I also supported legislation to combat invasive plant species, protect an underground water source that feeds 15 Illinois counties and encourage better recycling of electronics by lowering local governments’ expenses in such efforts. I also opposed legislation allowing the hunting of bobcats in Illinois.

I’ll continue to stand firm on protecting the natural resources that make Illinois such a great place to live.

MUCH-NEEDED ADDICTION TREATMENT ACT OVERCOMES VETO

I joined with my colleagues in both chambers of the General Assembly and on both sides of the aisle to overwhelmingly override Governor Rauner’s veto of crucial addiction treatment services to address the ongoing heroin epidemic in Illinois.

The Heroin Crisis Act is a shift away from a War on Drugs that has solved nothing and toward a treatment- and education-based approach to a public health issue. From expanded education and awareness campaigns to more comprehensive addiction treatment services and greater local pharmacy access to fast-acting overdose antidotes, the Heroin Crisis Act takes aim at this deadly problem from all angles. It could not have come at a more critical time, as Illinoisans are dying of narcotics overdose at one of the highest rates in the country.

I’m glad lawmakers set aside the quarrels that have dogged this session to come together on an issue where lives at stake every day and I hope to see more of such cooperation in the days ahead.

PICNIC SEASON RETURNS!

And on a lighter note, September cooled off just enough to give Rep. Stephanie Kifowit and I a chance to join the United Auto Workers Local 145 for a lovely picnic. I hope the mild and sunny weather continues!

As always, I want to hear from you. Visit my website at www.SenatorLindaHolmes.com for the latest information and follow me on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Senator Linda Holmes
42nd District – Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Council recognized State Sen. Linda Holmes as one of the General Assembly’s staunchest advocates for the environment in an announcement Thursday.

“Linda Holmes is a leader for the environment in Springfield,” said IEC Executive Director Jen Walling. “Senator Linda Holmes voted 100% of the time with the environmental community on seven pieces of key legislation. The IEC is honored by Linda Holmes’s dedication to Illinois’ environment and we look forward to working together in the future.”

In addition to sponsoring legislation that would have banned ivory sales in Illinois, Holmes also supported legislation to combat invasive plant species, protect an underground water source that feeds 15 Illinois counties and encourage better recycling of electronics by lowering local governments’ expenses in such efforts. Holmes also opposed legislation allowing the hunting of bobcats in Illinois.

“I appreciate the Illinois Environmental Council’s thanks, but I am even more thankful for their continued dedication to preserving the natural beauty and quality of life in our state for future generations,” Holmes said. “Being good stewards of the environment is a duty we cannot afford to ignore.”

SPRINGFIELD — The governor signed a law today to crack down on unlicensed employment agencies, enacting a plan put forth by State Senator Linda Holmes and Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

“There are big businesses out there bending the rules and abusing workers in some of the lowest-paid jobs,” Holmes said. “I’m gratified for the opportunity to work with Attorney General Madigan to toughen enforcement and protect working men and women in Illinois.”

The law addresses regulations that have not seen substantive updates in decades and that currently provide inadequate tools for the Attorney General’s Office to enforce compliance.

Workers who have been placed by such unregulated agencies have alleged numerous instances of abuse at the hands of employers, including being made to work 6-day work weeks of 12-hour shifts to pay off referral fees. They have alleged being referred to jobs that pay below the minimum wage, being housed in crowded and substandard conditions and being denied medical treatment for on-the-job injuries.

“My office initiated this legislation after uncovering instances of low-income and immigrant workers being subject to dangerous and often illegal working conditions. They were placed in those conditions by employment agencies that were frequently operating without licenses,” Madigan said.

In addition to providing civil penalties for such violations, Senate Bill 1859 directs the Department of Labor to create and maintain a database of employment agencies with suspended or revoked licenses, requires employment agencies to keep records of their placements longer and provides whistleblower protection to employees who report misconduct.

Senate Bill 1859 was signed into law today and goes into effect on January 1, 2016.