SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) released the following response to the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget:

“Tonight, the Senate passed a bipartisan balanced budget that protects funding for critical human services like after-school and youth employment programs, invests an additional $400 million into Illinois K-12 schools and early childhood education and increases funding for higher education by 2 percent.

“We were able to do this without enacting Gov. Rauner’s destructive proposals to shift costs to local governments, gut support services for those in need and take away health care for retirees.

“Instead of balancing the budget on the backs of our state’s most vulnerable residents, this budget was balanced responsibly through $600 million in cuts to state administrative costs and reasonable savings to the state pension systems.”

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure from Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) that would allow school districts to use recruiting firms to help find substitute teachers advanced out of the Senate and is headed to the governor’s desk.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 is one of many districts that has struggled to find substitute teachers.

“Schools across the state, and right here in Waukegan, are struggling to find enough substitute teachers,” Link said. “By giving school districts the ability to contract with a recruiting firm to help find substitute teachers, we will ease the burden on administrators and give schools one more option to address the shortage.”

House Bill 4742 passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support and now goes to the governor’s desk for approval.

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SPRINGFIELD – Veterans establishments across Illinois would be allowed to apply for video gaming licenses under a measure from Senator Terry Link that passed out of the Senate today.

“Our service members and veterans have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Link (D-Vernon Hills). “I strongly believe that their service should warrant them special permission to allow video gaming in their facilities if they so choose.”

Senate Bill 3166 allows the Illinois Gaming Board to issue video gaming licenses to licensed veterans establishments within cities or counties which have otherwise prohibited video gaming.

“Allowing veterans’ establishments special permission to have video gaming machines in their facilities is just one more way we can show our support and gratitude for their service to our country,” Link said.

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SPRINGFIELD – A measure from Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) that will make Illinois a leader in wireless technology advancements and create 100,000 new Illinois jobs was signed into law today.

“As technology continues to advance and smartphone data use continues to increase, it's important that we have the infrastructure in place to support those advancements,” Link said. “This measure will help ensure a smooth transition to 5G and allow Illinois to stay at the forefront of new wireless technology.”

Over seven years, full 5G deployment and small cell projects will:
•    Create nearly 100,000 new jobs in Illinois
•    Include $8.9 billion in network investments
•    Allow Illinoisans to contact 9-1-1 via text, and eventually video
•    Provide consumers with faster download speeds and improved call quality
•    Help attract new businesses to the state

“Illinois businesses rely on fast wireless networks to stay connected to their employees and customers,” Link said. “Updating our network technology will help bring new employers to the state.”

5G wireless technology utilizes small cell transmitters on existing utility poles in communities throughout the state, which have been overseen by a patchwork of local regulations. Senate Bill 1451 cuts the red tape and streamlines the process so consumers can gain access to the fastest technology possible.