Illinois

$25 Million Directed to Infrastructure Speed Grants in Illinois

July 26, 2020 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

$25 million in grant funding is set to help expedited infrastructure project work, according to Illinois Governor Jay “J.B” Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

These Rebuild Illinois funds will accelerate public infrastructure projects across Illinois that can begin as early as this summer–projects which would have faced extreme delays due to many local governments recently losing much-needed revenues. These losses are one effect of a heavy decrease in vehicle travel due to shelter-in-place orders in the wake of the coronavirus. The heaviest hit comes from toll fees and fuel taxes, and overall state transportation revenue is planned to decrease by about $50 billion throughout the next year and a half, according to The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

“This will keep key public infrastructure projects in the pipeline and will support the return of skilled labor to job sites for the busy summer season,” said Pritzker in his announcement last month. “Starting today, local governments with shovel-ready projects, including school districts, townships, and other entities, can apply for this funding.”

Those eligible for grants include local governments and public entities with important public infrastructure projects in the works that could begin within 90 days of receiving their funds. Projects eligible for funding must also be public assets, not have recurring expenses, and must be permanent. They must also meet “shovel-ready” guidelines and the Illinois’ Business Enterprise Program minority business participation requirements.

“This program is about putting people back on the job now,” said Tim Drea, President of Illinois AFL-CIO. “We applaud Governor Pritzker for being proactive and innovative. The return of every dollar spent on public works is another brick in rebuilding our economy, both in terms of jobs created and economic development created by improved infrastructure.”

Fast-Track grant source funding comes directly from Rebuild Illinois, which is a $45 billion plan passed to offer Illinois’ first comprehensive capital plan in over 10 years. DCEO is also spearheading multiple programs under Rebuild Illinois, such as funding new public works projects, investing in broadband capacity expansion, incentivizing business development, and other efforts that will work to promote economic growth throughout the state.

The grant program is one of multiple economic growth efforts implemented by DCEO to help promote economic health after the challenges of COVID-19, and is initiating relief programs that will allow over $100 million to become available to areas throughout Illinois. Some of these relief programs include: the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program, the Emergency Small Business Loan Fund, Emergency Hospitality Grants, and other efforts that will serve communities and businesses in need.

“We recognize the unique challenge and burdens that COVID-19 is placing on us all, and we are taking steps to provide relief to businesses and communities,” said director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Erin Guthrie. “Through the Fast-Track Public Infrastructure Grants program, the administration will provide a much-needed boost for works across the state as well as the critical infrastructure projects our state depends on.”

Fast-Track front-loads part of a Notice of Funding that will push forward available funds between $500,000 and $5 million. These grants will be dispersed on a rolling basis, and will be prioritized to areas that are most in need.

The main goal of these grants is to restore significant public works projects that may have been paused or cancelled due to COVID-19. These funds will be used toward projects like water and sewer system expansion, school modernization reinvestments, and bringing necessary updates to other public buildings. They will also help laborers return to work in time for the upcoming construction season.

Communities that may need more time or that do not currently have projects meeting the shovel-ready criteria can submit an application to receive a grant for remaining funds by the end of June. DCEO is also conducting a series of webinars with local governments to give more information on these new Fast-Track Grants. You can find a list of upcoming outreach efforts, as well as more small business resources, here.

Illinois budget impasse threatens to halt road construction

June 16, 2017 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A July 1 deadline looms

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week that statewide roadwork might come to a halt at the end of June, a consequence of the Illinois budget crisis, now on the verge of entering its third consecutive year. As a result, the state won’t be able to pay contractors by a July 1 deadline.

Chicagoist reports that the IDOT has informed construction crews that all roadwork must stop by June 30, pending a stopgap measure or a budget resolution. A stopgap measure was used last summer to prevent a similar situation from escalating.

This all comes as Governor Bruce Rauner calls for a special session of the state legislature beginning next week to hammer out a budget, a prospect that seems unlikely given the staunch refusal of both Republicans and Democrats to relinquish ground on several fronts.

Credit rating agencies have indicated that the state’s failure to compromise will lead to yet another downgrade; Power Ball and Mega Millions have threatened to drop Illinois from its roster of participating states. But the issue we’re most concerned about is safety. More people are expected to road trip this summer with gas prices remaining low. On top of that, we’re in the midst of the most deadly and dangerous travel seasons of the year, as newly licensed teenagers, take advantage of the opportunity to hit the road during the hot summer months.

In other words, the delay of construction or any other matter pertaining to the safety of highways and interstates could lead to even higher traffic casualty rates than expected. Few things are more to state government than protecting its citizens. Let’s see if the state can put the partisan politics aside and do just that.

ICYMI: New State Laws You Should Know for 2015

January 8, 2015 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A New Year is in full swing and some new state laws are officially in effect, ranging from increased speed limits to the regulation of e-cigarettes. The Illinois Senate Democrats previously released a list of Top 15 new laws of 2015; and you can read the complete list of around 220 state laws and regulations approved by the state legislature here. In the meantime, we’ve summarized some prominent ones we think you’d like to know about below.

Nursing Homes
Nursing home chains must now submit annual reports regarding the state of their institution; power of attorney forms have been updated for a new year; and procedures for maintaining and renewing an advanced nursing license have been adjusted for processing.

E-Cigarettes
Much has been said about the safety of e-cigarettes and their accessibility to children and teens. Illinois is toughening up its stance on the popular smoking alternative, making them much harder to buy in common locations like gas stations and convenient stores. E-cigs must now remain behind counters and in sealed packages, much in the same way cigarettes are sold. Refills for e-cigs are now required be in child-proof packaging, too.

Drones for Illinois Police
For Illinois’ finest, drones have been the topic of debate when it comes to their use. Certain restrictions apply, but what’s certain is that offices will continue to use drones during extreme cases, such as a natural disaster or public health emergency. Serving as a so-called “Eye in the Sky,” drones have the potential to change search and rescue – and police surveillance – as we know it, navigating vantage points and zones that a person simply cannot.

Illinois Schools
School construction plans now require the development and maintenance of storm shelters to protect students from dangerous weather; and schools now have the option to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying inside and outside of school.

Victims’ Rights
House Bill 5990 expands child advocacy centers’ authority over child sexual abuse victims and victims of maltreatment, as well as components of investigation into child maltreatment cases.

State Speed Limit
A new state law increases the speed limit on toll ways throughout Illinois, up from 55mph to 70mph in certain locations. The Illinois Toll way board still must approve the measure before it officially goes into effect. Selected toll ways, however, have bumped the limit a smidge higher in rural areas, specifically for trucks and rigs, increasing from 55 mph to 60 mph.

Teen Drinking
Adults over the age of 21 can expect harsher laws and even harsher penalties, should they supply alcohol to those under the legal drinking age. House Bill 4745 expands the list of places, such as campers and boats, where parents are liable for supplying underage people with alcohol.

Are there any new laws you’ve heard about that you’d like to discuss? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

Levinson’s $43M Day Care Child Abuse Verdict Sends Loud Message – Protect Children & Ensure Safety

December 18, 2014 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

On Monday, Ken Levinson secured a $43,000,000.00 verdict in a day care child abuse case against a day care employee who sexually abused a six year old girl at the day care. Levinson won the verdict in St. Clair county, Illinois, which is near St. Louis, Missouri. A verdict of this size should shed light on day care child abuse while making a loud statement: if day care owners and operators are not going to protect and ensure the safety of the children in their care, they will be held fully accountable for the harms they cause or allow to be caused to children.

Our hope is that the verdict will help make sure daycare owners/operators do complete background checks on anyone who may have contact with children and will properly monitor their employees to protect every child trusted with their care. Let’s make sure that this type of betrayal of trust stops.

In a 2012 report detailing child maltreatment, the Children’s Bureau (Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, noted that four-fifths (78.3%) of child abuse victims were neglected, 18.3 percent were physically abused, 9.3 percent were sexually abused and 8.5 percent were psychologically maltreated. Of the victims who were sexually abused, 26.3 percent were in the age group of 12–14 years and one-third (33.8%) were younger than 9 years.

The historic verdict, although uncollectible, represents vindication for victim and the victim’s family. But who knows – as one juror pointed out during the trial, an incarcerated defendant could win the lottery.

While this was a tragic, troubling, and traumatizing event, hopefully it provides hope for other day care child abuse victims, and sends a strong message to day care centers across the nation.