Gillespie votes to preserve education and essential services

SPRINGFIELD – After voting to pass a state budget that preserves services for the most vulnerable people, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“Facing the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, I believe that this budget preserves all the right programs. Not one cut will be made to education, and essential human services will see an increase in state support.

“Senior services, childcare assistance programs and mental health initiatives will be heavily relied upon by working families across the state as we continue to deal with the pandemic. I am glad these priorities meet with such support.

“I urge the governor to sign this budget and preserve the dignity of all Illinoisans who will need these vital services.”

Seclusion room measures excluded from education legislation

SPRINGFIELD – As the Senate approved an education plan without addressing the abuse of seclusion rooms in schools, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“I am incredibly disappointed that the provisions to protect our most vulnerable students were excluded from the final bill. Advocates and I are trying to address the reality of children being shackled in our schools, while the opposition is more concerned with administrative provisions in the legislation.

“When physical attendance at schools resumes, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away. I remain committed to ending the inhumane practices of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

Gillespie votes to expand vote by mail

SPRINGFIELD – After co-sponsoring an election package that would send a vote by mail application to registered voters who participated in elections within the last two years, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement:

“Participation in our democracy is the right of every citizen and must be preserved. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, voters deserve to be able to cast their ballots from the safety of their homes. No one should have to risk their health to exercise our most basic political rights.

“Mail ballots have been used in Illinois for years and have been proven to be a safe means for casting your vote. The pandemic has posed challenges to us at every turn, but we have taken measures in our schools, our stores, and our communities to meet them. It’s time we do the same for our elections.”

Gillespie secures workplace protections for essential employees, first-responders

SPRINGFIELD – Essential workplaces now have more incentive to implement protective health measures thanks to State Senator Ann Gillespie’s (D-Arlington Heights) efforts in negotiating a major labor plan that passed the Illinois Senate Thursday.

“This pandemic has shown just how vulnerable working people are if they get sick on the job,” Gillespie said. “Essential workers and first-responders deserve a safety net, so they and their families are protected from the economic fallout of catching COVID-19.”

The state’s Worker’s Compensation Act generally places the burden of proof on the injured employee and is not applicable to Chicago police, fire or paramedic personnel. Senator Gillespie was successful in negotiating a provision that would create a “rebuttable presumption” that first-responders and essential employees who contract COVID-19 did so on the job.

Read more …