CHICAGO – The Senate Education Committee will hold a subject-matter-only hearing regarding Senate Bill 2156 and Senate Bill 3460 this Friday. Both pieces of legislation look to limit the amount of standardized tests students are given in a school year. Cunningham is concerned that students spend excessive amounts of time taking standardized tests and not enough time learning new material, causing them to fall behind.

Who: Sen. Cunningham and Senate Education Committee          

What: Education Subject-Matter-Only Committee Hearing regarding Senate Bills 2156 and 3460 

When: 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 25

Where: C600, Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago

SPRINGFIELD –In an effort to promote uniform public safety laws in all Illinois schools, yesterday State Sen. Bill Cunningham passed legislation requiring non-public schools to annually meet with local safety officials. Unlike public schools, non-public schools do not currently have to hold annual meetings with local police and fire departments to discuss safety measures.  

“Children in private schools need the same protections as those in public schools. Even in the safest neighborhoods, crisis scenarios do happen. This is not just about planning for a school shooter, but also for fires, tornados and other natural disasters,” Cunningham said.

In 2005, the School Safety Drill Act established minimum safety plan requirements for all public schools in Illinois. This legislation would extend the same requirements to all non-public schools.

Senate Bill 2710, which passed out of the Illinois Senate today with a 51-0 vote, will now move to the Illinois House. 

SPRINGFIELD – Oak Lawn native John Vranas joined State Sen. Bill Cunningham Wednesday, March 26 as his “Page for a Day” at the Illinois State Capitol. Vranas spent the day with Cunningham going to committees and learning about the legislative process. He is currently a third grader at Kolmar School and enjoys learning about  U.S. Presidents.

SPRINGFIELD –It’s no secret Illinois faces a looming budget crisis. State Sen. Bill Cunningham is deeply concerned about the effects massive budget cuts could have on Illinois residents’ safety.

“As the former Chief of Staff for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, I know firsthand the importance of fully funding our criminal justice system. The proposed $78 million cut from the Illinois State Police budget would be absolutely devastating to the safety of Illinois residents,” Cunningham said.

Under the proposed cuts, the Illinois State Police would be forced to lay off 450 troopers and close all forensic labs in the state.

“Illinois State Police troopers patrol our highways daily protecting our families. Forensic labs perform vital tests on evidence, like rape kits, allowing law enforcement to prosecute potentially violent criminals. If the ISP is forced to drastically cut its budget, our entire criminal justice system will be in disarray. Cutting services and allowing criminals to run loose is no way to govern.”