New law opens access for students in agriculture education

• Agriculture Education
• 2016
• SB2975

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois agriculture education will be receiving a boost thanks to measure pushed by State Senator Bill Cunningham that goes into effect on January 1, 2017.

The legislation, Senate Bill 2975, will add agriculture education as an area of identified staff shortage, which would make additional scholarship money available for those who want to go into agriculture education.

“There is a shortage of qualified agriculture education teachers in Illinois,” Cunningham said. “As a result, fewer students are receiving science and business-based instruction that could prepare them for the growing number of jobs available in agriculture.

Cunningham pointed to a recent Purdue University study that found nearly 58,000 jobs will open annually across the United States in occupations involving food, agriculture, and natural resources over the next five years, but colleges and universities are not training enough students to qualify for those jobs.

Cunningham votes to support Chicago Public Schools

• SB2822
• Chicago Public Schools
• Pension Parity

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Bill Cunningham voted to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 2822, legislation designed to provide equal funding to the Chicago Public Schools teachers' pension fund.

“Governor Rauner refuses to provide the same level of state financial support to Chicago Public Schools that is provided to every other school district in the state," Cunningham said. “If his veto stands, CPS will be forced to lay off teachers and Chicago's students will be forced to pay the price.”

Senate Bill 2822 would provide pension parity between the Chicago Public Schools and every other school system throughout the state. Currently, the state only picks up a small percentage of CPS’ pension payment, while paying the full cost for all other school districts.

“We need to support all public school systems throughout the state and that includes Chicago Public Schools,” Cunningham said.

The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto and the legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

Cunningham votes to override governor on automatic voter registration

• 2016
• AVR
• SB250

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Bill Cunningham joined a bipartisan group of legislators to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 250 which, if overridden by the House, will implement automatic voter registration in the State of Illinois.

Senate Bill 250 provides citizens with an opt-out when the go to apply for a state ID or driver’s license at any secretary of state’s office. Currently, residents have to opt in to register to vote.

“This proposal will ensure that every Illinoisan has an opportunity to have a voice in our state’s democracy,” Cunningham said. “We need to be proactive in ensuring that everyone has an easy path to be heard.”

The legislation now moves tot he House for an override vote.

Cunningham votes to provide pension parity to Chicago public safety workers

• 2016
• pensions
• public safety
• police
• fire
• chicago
• SB440

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Bill Cunningham on Tuesday voted to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 440.

The legislation will bring pension parity to retiring Chicago police officers and fire fighters born after 1955. It would also ensure that a widower’s benefit would never decrease below 125 percent of the federal poverty level.

“All public safety workers put themselves in the line of duty to protect and serve our communities,” Cunningham said. “After protecting our communities for their whole careers, they should be able to retire knowing that they will be able to provide for their families.”

The legislation now moves to the House for an override vote.