Cunningham advances common sense changes to BIPA

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure that updates the liability guidelines in the Biometric Information Privacy Act.

“This reform to BIPA will protect small businesses from undue financial burden while still providing strong protections for consumers and workers,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “As technology continues to advance, it’s importance that our laws keep up with the times.”

Cunningham’s measure would limit the number of claims accrued should an employee bring a lawsuit against a company for a violation of BIPA. If a certain biometric identifier is collected by the same employer in the same manner, only one violation would accrue. This is a change from the current interpretation of BIPA, where claims are accrued on a per-collection basis, which resulted in hundreds of claims on a repeated violation.

Read more …

Suburban towing company holds hearing aid hostage, Cunningham responds with legislative action

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure that would add medical devices to the list of items that can be recovered from a towed vehicle and seeks to address over-the-top towing fees on stolen vehicles.

“I was shocked to find out that car owners are currently not allowed to recover medical devices, like hearing aids, from their vehicles – even if their vehicle is stolen and later towed,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This is a commonsense fix. I think we can all agree that private towing companies shouldn’t be able to hold medical devices hostage in a towed vehicle.”

The legislation was brought to Cunningham from a constituent of the 18^th District. The constituent’s vehicle was stolen from outside their residence in Chicago and was eventually located by law enforcement and towed in Alsip. The constituent did not find out where their vehicle was located until a week after it was recovered, receiving a letter in the mail from a suburban towing company that was holding the vehicle. When the constituent went to recover the vehicle, they were told they would have to pay a fee of $1,500, and were not allowed to recover a hearing aid from the vehicle until the fee was paid.

Read more …

Cunningham secures over $430,000 in transportation funding for individuals with disabilities

CHICAGO– State Senate Bill Cunningham announced two social service providers in Alsip and Oak Lawn are set to receive a combined total of $432,000 to offer reliable and accessible transportation options for people living with disabilities.

“People with disabilities are valuable members of our community, and we need to look out for opportunities to increase accessibility in transportation wherever possible,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This is vital funding because it ensures residents have access to reliable transportation for things like medical appointments, the grocery store and service programs.”

Through the Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 500 paratransit vehicles valued at $57.1 million have been awarded to 113 transit providers. The vehicles are delivered to public transportation providers as well as nonprofit organizations serving seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Park Lawn School and Activity Center in Oak Lawn was awarded $240,000 for two vehicles. The nonprofit organization provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including community day services and supportive employment.

Read more …

Cunningham responds to the governors proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025