SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a measure Thursday introduced by State Senator Bill Cunningham that would crack down on assault and public indecency in prisons and jails.

Senate Bill 416 would allow a prison warden to revoke up to 90 days of pre-trial credit or good behavior credit from an individual if the prison disciplinary board sustains charges of public indecency, assault or battery on a peace officer.

The legislation would further allow prison wardens to revoke up to 365 days of credit for each subsequent charge that has been sustained by the prison disciplinary board.

“Peace officers have dangerous jobs and it’s imperative that we protect these men and women just as well as they protect us,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “These penalties will be an effective deterrent against inappropriate behavior in our prisons and make them safer for both the guards and the inmates, themselves.”

The Senate approved the measure in a 57-0 vote. The bill will now go before the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a bill sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham Wednesday that would prohibit diesel trucks from idling excessively in residential areas.

Senate Bill 1256 would prevent diesel trucks over 8,000 pounds from idling for more than a total of ten minutes in an hour if the vehicle is within 200 feet of a residential area in Cook County.

Cunningham credited Cook County residents living near a trucking yard for bringing the issue to his attention. The residents identified persistent noise and air quality issues with the trucking yard, located near the corner 119^th St. and Central Park Ave. in Merrionette Park, that needed to be addressed.

“Residents of my district are sick and tired of the noise and pollution coming from trucking lots located near residential areas,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This is a straightforward measure that will make a positive difference in the lives of many Cook County residents.”

The measure passed with no opposition. It will now go before the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham that would make it easier for seniors to receive a tax break passed Illinois State Senate Thursday.

Senate Bill 1257 would eliminate the need for residents aged 65 or older to reapply annually to receive the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption, a property tax exemption designed to assist senior citizens financially.

Currently, every county in Illinois other than Cook may allow seniors to receive the exemption without reapplying.

“The requirement to reapply annually for this tax break is an unnecessary hurdle that makes it more difficult for seniors to get tax relief,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “This bill will make government more efficient and exempt seniors from repeating a sometimes frustrating and confusing application process.”

The measure also requires the Cook County Accessor’s Office, the Cook County Clerk and the Recorder of Deeds Office to communicate when a home receiving an exemption is sold to ensure the tax break is not awarded to residents who do not qualify.

Senate Bill 1257 passed 51-0. It will now go before the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham was named Legislator of the Year by the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (IFFA) on Wednesday for his advocacy on behalf of firefighters and other first responders in the Illinois State Senate.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this award I want to thank the IFFA for its continued advocacy on behalf of Illinois firefighters,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “I look forward to continuing to work with the IFFA and first responders throughout the state to promote the interests of Illinois firefighters.”

Cunningham has worked on behalf of first responders in Springfield since he first joined the General Assembly in 2011. Last session, he introduced legislation to protect Chicago firefighters’ pensions by allowing them to transfer credit from their previous service to their current pensions.

“Illinois’ firefighters are heroes who put their own lives on the line on a daily basis to keep us safe,” Cunningham said. “State government needs to look out for these brave men and women the way they look out for us.”