Cunningham: Talk of being close not enough

• budget
• 2017
• 100th General Assembly
• Grand Bargain

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham had the following response to the votes taken today on the ‘Grand Bargain’ legislation.

“We have tried again and again to achieve a bipartisan compromise that would help put Illinois’ fiscal house in order and the governor has once again blocked progress,” Cunningham said. “He keeps saying were close. Well, close is not good enough for the MAP grant recipient who may not be able to attend Moraine Valley next semester. Illinois needs decisive action, not more talk about being close.”

Senator Cunningham continues to work toward properly funding higher education and ensuring MAP grants are funded both for the current fiscal year and next year.

Cunningham fights to end bail for repeat gun offenders

• 2017
• 100th General Assembly
• SB1980

SPRINGFIELD – People committing repeat violent offenses could soon be denied bail by bond court judges under legislation passed by the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“What we are seeing is that many people who commit some of these gun crimes find a way to post bond relatively quickly. One place where that shouldn’t be allowed is if you commit the crime in a place where children may be present,” State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) said.

The measure, Senate Bill 1980, was an initiative of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. It would not allow bail to be set if proof is evident or the presumption of guilt is so great that a significant gun crime was committed and that the defendant presents a real and present threat to the safety of any individual.

“Given the spike of gun crimes in Chicago, we need to give judges the tools they need to stop the revolving door of violent offenders who cycle in and out of jail,” Cunningham said.

Some of the gun crimes included are aggravated discharge of a firearm with a silencer, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, armed habitual criminal or unlawful possession of a firearm by individuals convicted of a violent offense.

Cunningham fights to increase local access to Chicago Ag School

• education
• 2017
• 100th General Assembly
• SB 447
• Ag School

SPRINGFIELD – Families in Mount Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park could soon see increased enrollment opportunities to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHAS) because of legislation passed by the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 447, sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), would allow for 40 more seats to be opened up to local families and would statutorily authorize the special education cluster that currently exists at the school

“The Ag School is a top-tier school, and anytime it is possible we should be increasing access to schools like these,” Cunningham said. “By doing this we allow more families to have an opportunity to keep their kids closer to home.”

CHAS was created by state law more than 20 years ago. Though the school has provided special education services for years, those programs were not recognized by state law until the introduction of Senate Bill 447.

“Special education services should be guaranteed at schools, like the Ag School, that offer students unique education experiences,” Cunningham said. “This measure helps accomplish that and provides some stability for families in our community.”

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

Cunningham passes measure to make purchasing computers easier for students

SPRINGFIELD – College students needing to buy a new computer for school use or who utilize special needs services could soon be able to use their Illinois’ College Savings Plan to do so due to a measure passed by the Illinois Senate on Thursday.

“Today, computers are just as necessary as textbooks,” Cunningham said. “If you don’t have easy access to a computer your chances of succeeding plummet.”

Senate Bill 1758 would add computers and other technology based expenses to the definition of qualified expenses for the purposes of one’s Illinois’ College Savings Plan. Expenses from special needs services connected with enrollment or attendance would also be defined as qualified expenses.

“The state restricting a student with special needs from using their college savings accounts to pay for required expenses related to successfully attend college is ridiculous,” Cunningham said. “By passing this legislation, we can put every student closer to succeeding in their post-secondary goals.”

The measure passed the full Senate unanimously. It moves to the House for further consideration.