Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD – A measure from State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) that provides greater protections for private sector workers who experience sexual harassment and discrimination passed out of the Senate without opposition this afternoon.

“Right now, Illinois workers who are harassed or discriminated against don’t have the protections they need to seek justice and hold perpetrators accountable.” Bush said. “This bill strengthens workers’ rights and includes reasonable requirements for employers that will create safer workplaces.”

The measure was drafted based on recommendations that were made last year during the Senate sexual harassment task force hearings.

“The Illinois Chamber participated in an open and thoughtful process on SB 1829, and we provided language we believe will help make a better workplace environment for employers and employees in Illinois,” said Jay Shattuck, executive director of the Employment Law Council at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber will continue to work with the task force senators and other stakeholders to help make a safe, more dependable and productive work environment throughout Illinois.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) introduced a bill that would require greater regional representation on the Illinois Tollway Board. The move came after Gov. Pritzker appointed six directors from Cook County and three from collar counties.

“We have a law that says no more than five members of the tollway board may be from the same political party,” Bush said. “There should be a law that ensures geographic diversity on the board as well. Lake County is one of the largest financial contributors to the tollway. I think it's fair to demand a local voice for Lake County residents on the tollway board.”

The Toll Highway includes 294-miles in five tollways that run through 12 counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Ogle, Whiteside and Lee.

“Residents of counties serviced by the tollway ought to have someone on the board representing their interests,” Stadelman said. “This bill guarantees that those very residents get that representation and aren’t forgotten about.”

Senate Bill 794 would require the governor to immediately appoint one member from Lake County and one member from either Winnebago, Boone or McHenry County.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) advanced four measures out of the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday that provide protections for employees and victims of sexual harassment and discrimination.

“The main thing I learned from last year’s Senate hearings on sexual harassment and discrimination is that victims don’t have the legal protections they need to hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice,” Bush said. “These measures will provide cover for victims and allow them to seek damages and protection, should they need to.”

Senate Bill 30 creates the Workplace Transparency Act, which protects employees from being forced to sign nondisclosure agreements relating to sexual harassment, retaliation and unlawful discrimination.

Senate Bill 1507 creates the Civil Remedies for Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images Act, which allows victims of revenge porn to recover economic, non-economic and punitive damages.

Senate Bill 1588 creates a new civil remedy called the “Sexual Harassment No Contact Order” for cases where relief is unavailable under any other existing protective order.

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) passed a resolution in the Illinois Senate Environment and Conservation Committee today calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct ambient air monitoring and testing in and around the two Lake County facilities that emit ethylene oxide.

“While I’m pleased the U.S. EPA is conducting testing around Sterigenics, it’s well past time they do the same in Lake County,” Bush said. “Residents need to know if the air they’re breathing is safe. They deserve to know if they’re at a higher risk for cancer, but right now they’re being left in the dark.”

Senate Joint Resolution 27 also urges the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to assist the U.S. EPA in the air monitoring and protection of the public in regards to the risks posed by ethylene oxide emissions in Lake County.

“The U.S. EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment,” Bush said. “It’s time for them to fulfill that mission in Lake County.”

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