SPRINGFIELD – To help eliminate redundant bureaucracy, State Senator Tom Cullerton passed a measure to prohibit the State of Illinois from creating new units of local government.

Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed Senate Bill 1215, which would prohibit the General Assembly from creating any new unit of local government until Jan. 1, 2022.

“As a state with nearly 7,000 units of government, we need to take proactive steps to reduce and eliminate unnecessary layers bureaucracy,” Cullerton said. “This measure will put a stop to the overzealous creation of government entities while our municipalities evaluate and consolidate services to promote the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”

Senate Bill 1215 also prohibits dividing existing units of local government but does not apply to the creation of a new unit of local government from the consolidation of two or more preexisting units of local government.

In 2013, Cullerton worked with DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin to implement an effective government consolidation model to eliminate redundant forms of government. Last year, Cullerton continued to advance his mission of making sure government is working in tune with the needs of Illinois’ residents.

To continue his mission to ensure government is working for Illinois residents, Cullerton passed House Bill 5777, which decreases the waiting period from 150 to 60 days after the first mandated county audit is performed. The law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

“Consolidating government the right way will help lower property taxes for DuPage County residents,” Cullerton said. “Speeding up the process will help residents experience government savings sooner rather than later.”

Previously, it could take over two and a half years for some Illinois counties to consolidate local government entities.

Senate Bill 1215 passed the Senate with unanimous support and is now in the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Medical professionals may soon have access to training to help ensure individuals with developmental disabilities are as comfortable as possible, thanks to State Senator Tom Cullerton.

Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed Senate Bill 1214 on Wednesday, which requires the Department of Public Health to ensure that those who draw blood employ the most current methods available when treating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Medical visits can be stressful for all of us, but especially for people with developmental disabilities,” Cullerton said. “We need to ensure that communication and sensory issues are taken into account when medical professionals complete procedures such as blood draws.”

Senate Bill 1214 was an initiative of Michael Baker, the parent a young adult son with autism.

“I would like to thank Senator Tom Cullerton for taking up this legislation in the Senate and listening to the healthcare needs of my son with autism,” Baker said. “I hope that this legislation to improve training and equipping of healthcare professionals on how to draw blood from all children and adults with developmental disabilities in a safe and comfortable manner, will lead to more progress in the quality of healthcare for people like my son.”

Senate Bill 1214 passed the Senate with bipartisan support and will move to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois kicks off the road construction season, drivers should take great care to look out for the safety of construction workers.

State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) passed Senate Bill 1496 this week, which would increase the maximum penalty for hitting a construction worker to $25,000 from the current $10,000 fine.

“Distracted drivers are a major problem in Illinois,” Cullerton said. “As we start the construction season, it is imperative that we take every necessary step to deter drivers from taking their eyes off the road.”

Cullerton filed Senate Bill 1496 in response to an accident in which Bartlett resident Frank Caputo, a flagger, was struck and killed while working on the Tri-State Tollway near O'Hare International Airport.
Caputo was working construction near Rosemont around 10 p.m. In September 2018, when a car drove into the closed lanes and fatally injured him.

“I made a pledge to honor Frank Caputo by finding ways to keep his fellow workers safe,” Cullerton said. “While a fine won’t physically stop a crash, we believe raising it will send a message to Illinois drivers about the severity of this problem.”

April 8 to 12 marks Work Zone Awareness Week in Illinois. Cullerton stresses the importance of drivers remembering the need to drive carefully, for themselves and those sharing the roads with them.

“Driving recklessly through construction zones to shave off a few minutes of your travel time can end up being the difference between life and death,” Cullerton said. “Our road construction workers are working day and night to improve our state’s infrastructure. It’s our job to drive responsibly and respectfully to prevent tragedies.”

Senate Bill 1496 passed the Senate with unanimous support and now heads to the House for consideration.

VILLA PARK— State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) released the following statement in response to the Performance Audit of the Legionnaires’ Disease at the Quincy Veterans’ Home released by the Auditor General on Monday:

“The Auditor General’s report confirms what we already knew: Former Gov. Rauner and his administration failed our veterans and their loved ones.

“The previous administration spent their time and energy covering up their lies and failures, instead of working with the General Assembly to implement solutions that would have protected the health and well-being of our veterans, their loved ones and staff at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy.

“Every level of the former administration was focused on hiding their inept response to the Legionnaires’ crisis in Illinois. It is inexcusable and sickening that they were more worried about concealing their lies to the General Assembly than saving the lives of our nation’s heroes.”

Cullerton passed Senate Resolution 1186 on Feb. 15, 2018 which directed the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ management of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the Quincy Veterans’ Home.

The Auditor’s report can be found here.