SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address:

“Governor Rauner may have touted his work on criminal justice reform, but his recent comments calling Chicago the murder capital and his refusal to stand up to President Trump, rather than actually investing in programs that would help reduce crime in Chicago speaks volumes,” Van Pelt said.

“The governor’s refusal to compromise on a budget directly impacts our criminal justice system and makes it harder for criminal justice reform attempts to succeed. The lack of budget has caused underfunding for important human service programs that help reduce recidivism, treat addiction and help prisoners re-enter the workforce, all of which are critical parts of criminal justice reform. In order to make significant progress toward reforming the criminal justice system, the governor needs to make funding human service programs and investing in our neighborhoods a real priority.”

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At the end of each year, we publish a list of new laws set to take effect on Jan. 1. While a great deal of the General Assembly’s focus in 2016 was on the ongoing Illinois budget stalemate and a stopgap budget to keep vital programs and services going, a variety of new laws regarding safety, ethics, criminal justice reform, and employment wages and benefits will become effective Jan. 1.

Here are our Top 10 New Illinois Laws for 2017.

Springfield— Eligible voters throughout the state will now be automatically registered to vote under legislation advanced today with the full veto override support in the Senate.

Senate Bill 250, co-sponsored by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago), would allow for the Secretary of State’s office and similar state agencies to submit eligible voters’ information to the State Board of Elections when they visit their facilities for services.

Van Pelt made the following statement about the Senate’s override of Senate Bill 250:

“Voting is so important. This legislation makes it easier to engage in the process. It gives youth an opportunity to easily engage and exercise their right to vote.”

Overall, more than 2 million Illinoisans who are eligible to vote aren’t registered. The measure now moves to the Illinois House of Representatives, where it will be debated.

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