CHICAGO – To encourage civic service, assist community members and promote physical fitness, state Rep. Fran Hurley is partnering with state Sen. Bill Cunningham to host a Community Bike Drive for local residents to donate used bicycles.

“Donating a used bike provides a wonderful gift to someone while helping the community,” Hurley said. “We think this is a great way to assist local residents, encourage charity and get more people riding bikes. Sen. Cunningham and I are excited to be providing this service to the district.”
 
The bike drive will take place Aug. 15 through Sept. 15. All donations can be dropped off at the Mount Greenwood Community Business Association at 3330 W. 111th St. in Chicago, behind La Fiesta restaurant. Owned by local resident John DeBold, Park Schwinn at 3333 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park will be fixing up old bikes and donating them to less fortunate children.  

CHICAGO – An effort to expand open lands in suburban Cook County sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) was signed into law Friday. Senate Bill 1499 gives the Cook County Forest Preserve District the power to acquire land by easement, which will now enable the district to enter into voluntary agreements with businesses, utilities and local governments to acquire patches of open land and incorporate them into the Forest Preserve green belt.

Until this legislation was signed, every other forest preserve district in Illinois can acquire land by easement. With this new law in place, the Cook County Forest Preserve will no longer be forced to purchase any land it acquired, saving the taxpayers significant cost.

“Cook County has one of the highest urban populations in the country. This legislation will preserve and hopefully create more open space,” said Cunningham. “Fighting for our environment will always be one of my top priorities while in the General Assembly.”

 SPRINGFIELD – An effort to cut back on red tape for students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) was signed into law today. Thanks to State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), who sponsored the legislation, Illinois administrative code is now in line with federal law.
 
Until now, Illinois administrative code and federal law were contradictory about the guidelines for how long school districts have to set and implement a student IEP.  House Bill 1446 changes Illinois law and states implementation of an IEP shall occur no later than 10 school attendance days after a parent receives notice of his or her child's new educational placement.
 
"There is too much confusion for school districts and parents regarding IEPs,” Cunningham said. "Finally, we are able to cut back the red tape and do what is best for these students.”
 
IEPs are developed for students with disabilities and are required by state law to be reviewed and revised periodically.  IEPs include items such as the child’s present levels of educational and functional performance and annual academic and functional goals.

Senator Bill Cunningham and Representative Fran Hurley helped Sheriff Tom Dart and the Green Hill Library collect donated books in July.