Holmes pushes to add more plants to invasive species list

• Exotic Weed Act
• SB 681

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the spread of invasive species and protect the environment, State Sen. Linda Holmes supported legislation signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner this week that adds more plants to the state's list of exotic weeds.

The Exotic Weeds Act prohibits the sale of invasive flora that threaten the ecosystem in Illinois.

“One of our most important duties as a government is the protection and preservation of our environment for future generations,” said Holmes, D-Aurora. “I'm pleased the governor has affirmed the expansion of this list.”

The updated Exotic Weeds Act adds a variety of new plant species to the list, including varieties of exotic bush honeysuckles, olives, salt cedar, poison hemlock, giant hogweed, Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Japanese, giant and Bohemian knotweed, among numerous others.

The legislation was Senate Bill 681. It becomes effective Jan. 1.

Sen. Holmes talks local government consolidation on Chicago Tonight

• Chicago Tonight
• Consolidation Task Force

For more information, visit Chicago Tonight.

Holmes opposes rollback of Child Care Assistance Program

• Child Care Assistance Program
• State Journal-Register

The State Journal-Register - July 15, 2015 | Original article

By Dean Olsen

Advocates for low-income families needing state-subsidized child care blasted Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday for putting in place more stringent eligibility guidelines that have reduced new enrollment in the program to a trickle.

"This is one of the most coldhearted measures a governor can take," Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, said at a Capitol news conference alongside more than a dozen of her fellow Democrats from the Illinois House and Senate.

She said Rauner's decision is counterproductive for someone who has said he wants to be business-friendly and compassionate. Subsidized child care is essential for low-wage workers, often single parents, to afford to work or further their educations, Holmes said.

"Is it business-friendly to tell parents: 'Oh, by the way, you can't work your job. ... You have to stay home to take care of your kids because there is no child care assistance for you?' " Holmes said.

Read the full story at the Springfield State Journal-Register.

Senator Holmes speaks in favor of provisional budget

• FY 2016 Budget Proposal

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Linda Holmes spoke up in favor of a one-month temporary budget on the floor of the Illinois Senate Wednesday, and issued the following statement as Illinois state agencies faced shutdown for lack of a 2016 budget.

“I’m disappointed that Illinoisans will go without the services for which they have paid due to needless arguments over issues unrelated to the state budget,” Holmes said. “I have joined my colleagues in the Senate in presenting a budget to Governor Rauner in the hopes of reaching a compromise.”

“I ask the Governor now to set aside political matters and focus on fiscal matters. Every day he does not, our childcare centers face closure, our seniors face the possibility of having to leave their homes and all taxpayers face disruptions in their daily lives.”

Holmes voted in favor of a one-month provisionary budget that would keep essential state services in operation as lawmakers continue negotiating a full 2016 budget. The measure passed the Illinois Senate without Republican support. It proceeds to the House for consideration.