SPRINGFIELD – To share news and answer questions about legislation passed in the recent spring session, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and State Representatives Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) and Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) will hold two town halls this week.

“The three of us have successfully carried priority legislation through the General Assembly this year, on behalf of our constituents,” said Holmes. “This is a chance to summarize what was accomplished and answer questions from our communities about the positive outcomes for our area.”

The three lawmakers are holding two sessions for area residents’ convenience. First up is an in-person town hall at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 10 at the Perry Theatre at the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Center for Community Enrichment, located at 349 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora. Get details and sign up here: http://ow.ly/UlKY50F4Z9z.

On Saturday, June 12 a second session will be via Facebook Live from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Get more details, RSVP, then watch here: http://ow.ly/Y97z50F4Zgu.

Both events are open to the public and members of the media are welcome to attend.

SPRINGFIELD — Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) applauded investments in pensions, local governments and the Illinois workforce in the upcoming fiscal year budget, which passed the Senate Monday.

“This is a balanced budget. I believe the most important part of what we passed tonight is that we will make our full pension payment as planned,” Holmes said. “This is such a cornerstone of our ongoing efforts to address our underfunded pension system.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure to compel pet stores to get their animals from animal shelters or animal control facilities passed the Senate Monday, co-sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), in an effort to discourage the sale of pets from unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills and instead provide loving homes to animals who need them most.

“I’m proud to join in House Bill 1711 to push legislation on a pet store business model that has been growing across the U.S.,” Holmes said. “Puppy mills are a major source of animals for many pet stores, but their breeding practices result in sick and sometimes terminally ill animals, which can result in heartache for families.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) moved legislation this week that would expand workers’ compensation for firefighters and EMTs to cover a potentially deadly, antibiotic-resistant staph infection that poses a particularly high risk to first responders.

House Bill 3662 would amend the Workers’ Compensation Act. It presumes that these professionals would be exposed to MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in the course of their employment.