SPRINGFIELD – Highlighting the importance of agriculture in the state, State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) visited with farmers in Tazewell County on Monday to discuss the issues they face.

“Perhaps no issue or industry unites Illinois more than agriculture and agribusiness," Cunningham said. "Whether it is grain traders in downtown Chicago or farmers in Tazewell County, or an agricultural sciences laboratory in Urbana, Illinois is an international center of agricultural production and its related businesses."

CHICAGO – In an effort to reduce administrative costs and help hold the line on college tuition growth, State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18) has proposed a series of reforms in how higher education executives in Illinois are compensated. These reforms were sparked by a report revealing inappropriate practices, including the recent scandals at the College of DuPage.

“Institutions of higher learning in our state have been plagued by recent controversies involving mismanagement or misconduct by college presidents, which cost taxpayers and tuition-payers millions of dollars in legal fees and severance payouts," Cunningham said. "We need to reform our laws to ensure more transparency and accountability in the administration of our public colleges and universities."

CHICAGO - During the past year, State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18th Senate District) has chaired the Illinois Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on Higher Education Compensation. In the course of that time, the committee has released a report detailing questionable compensation practices at our state universities and community colleges. On September 9th, FOX 32 reporter Dana Placko filed a report on the controversy.

Please take a moment to view the report, from FOX 32.

CHICAGO – Criminals who attempt to take possession of property during foreclosure proceedings will now have a more difficult time attempting their crime thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham. The new law will shield properties in financial distress from criminals trying to file bogus legal claims on the properties.

Senate Bill 1487, signed into law last week, establishes a ‘Foreclosure Property Pilot Program” in Cook County to address issues the Cook County Recorder of Deeds has encountered with fraudulent recordings on foreclosed property.  Beginning next year, judges will be able to issue an order barring any non-record claimants from recording, without approval of the court, a lien on property that is the subject of a foreclosure action. The legislation comes at the request of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

“Previously, criminals were able to file legal documents against properties in the foreclosure process without the Recorder having the ability to verify those documents. With the signing of this legislation, we now have an opportunity to put a stop to this practice and protect property rights for our residents,” Senator Cunningham said.

Reports of fraudulent filings began to come to the forefront in the wake of the “Great Recession”. In particular, many people claimed to have the legal ability to simply move into properties based on flawed legal reasoning. Previously, the Recorder had to accept all filings against properties without the ability to review and dismiss.

“Property fraud devastates communities. With this new tool, we are helping rebuild our neighborhoods and keeping criminals from profiting from financial misery,” Senator Cunningham said.