Sen. Holmes introduces measure to expand HPV prevention efforts

SPRINGFIELD – To improve access to information about human papillomavirus (HPV) for young people in Illinois, state Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) introduced legislation in a Senate committee meeting.

“This legislation ensures that all sixth-grade students in Illinois receive information about the HPV vaccine and its importance in preventing dangerous illnesses later in life,” Holmes said. “Since 2007, only girls have received information about the vaccine. If we want to decrease cases of HPV and associated conditions like cervical cancer, we need to do a better job of educating younger generations.”

Holmes’ legislation requires students entering sixth grade to be given information about the HPV vaccine from a doctor. Starting in 2007,  state law began requiring only female students to receive this information. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended and approved the vaccination for males since 2011.

“Annually, HPV causes 30,700 cancer diagnoses in both men and women,” Holmes said. “Updating the law to include boys will raise awareness about the vaccination and ensure that it is administered around age 11 or 12, when the immune response is best. This legislation does not require anyone to be vaccinated, but it will give more information to all students and their families, saving lives down the road.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 2866, was approved by the Senate Public Health Committee. It awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Sen. Holmes reacts to 2018 budget address

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, released the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2018 budget address:

“The governor’s latest budget proposal is full of accounting tricks and irresponsible cuts that will create burdens for taxpayers in the future. By shifting a large portion of pension costs to local school districts, Rauner’s latest budget could lead to higher property taxes and greater educational inequality.

“The proposal also does little to address the state’s backlog of bills, which was most recently reported at nearly $9 billion with more than $900 million in late fees.

“I look forward to working with colleagues in both parties to pass a more fair and responsible budget.”

Sen. Holmes reacts to 2018 State of the State address

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, released the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address:

“In his address, Governor Rauner bragged about a veto that would have gravely harmed communities across the state had it been allowed to stand. By refusing to support the budget, Rauner refused to support programs like state-subsidized childcare for working families. Early childhood education centers across the state were forced to close their doors due to Rauner’s inability to lead or budget realistically. One of those centers was the Child Development Center in Aurora, which was licensed to provide care to 74 children. I hope that this year will be different.”

Holmes legislation to assist small businesses becomes law

SPRINGFIELD – First-time entrepreneurs will be able to save money on state licenses and permits under a new pilot program. The entrepreneur learner’s permit program was introduced and sponsored in the Illinois Senate by State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora.

“Entrepreneurs take on a lot of risk when they start new businesses. This risk taking is what ultimately moves the economy forward,” Holmes said. “Any time we in state government can encourage people to start businesses and create jobs, we should do so with fiscally responsible and thoughtful legislation.”

The Senate recently voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s changes to the entrepreneur learner’s permit pilot program. The original version of the legislation minimizes spending by creating a pilot program to subsidize first-time entrepreneurs in information services, biotechnology and green technology with a state spending cap of $500,000.

The governor used his veto power to remove the spending cap and expand the pilot program to include all industries. Holmes says that the governor’s amendatory veto turns a smart business development measure into a potentially wasteful program.

 “The governor’s changes would direct an unknown sum of taxpayer dollars into a pilot program that may still need improvements,” Holmes said. “This is a surprising and confusing decision by Governor Rauner, who has presented himself as a fiscally responsible reformer. We were able to return to a much more limited, fiscally responsible version of this pilot program that can be expanded if it is successful.”

The entrepreneur learner’s permit would encourage small business growth by reimbursing first-time business owners for certain costs paid to the state for licensing and permits. The Illinois legislation is a pilot version of a similar program established by the Connecticut State Legislature in 2016.

After veto override votes in the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives, Senate Bill 1462 is now law. It will take effect immediately.

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