Hastings partners with Clerk Iris Y. Martinez to increase government transparency in Cook County

SPRINGFIELD – A measure that would give Cook County taxpayers the ability to easily access public records passed the Senate Executive Committee unanimously Wednesday.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is the lead sponsor of the initiative.

“The passage of this legislation indicates a positive step in the direction of accessible, transparent government,” Hastings said. “To put it simply, hardworking taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent. I look forward to additional dialogue and collaboration with my colleagues to further solidify a government that works for our people first and foremost.”

Senate Bill 583 would include the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County under the Local Records Act, providing greater transparency to the public regarding how the clerk’s office uses its public funds. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is a non-judicial office of the judiciary and not a local government or public body currently subject to FOIA.

Additionally, the legislation requires all clerks of circuit courts to accept credit card payments over the internet for fines, penalties, court costs and other costs, providing convenience for a county’s citizens when paying fines and fees.

“As we move forward from the previous administration, it’s important to regain public trust in the clerk’s office by being more transparent, and this is one of the first steps we’re taking to do that,” said Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. “I’m thankful to my former colleague, Senator Hastings, for assisting our office to better serve the public.”

This measure now moves to the Senate floor for consideration.

Hastings congratulates Frankfort area schools on biodiversity field trip grant

FRANKFORT – Each year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources selects schools across the state to receive grants for field trips. This year, Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is congratulating two local schools, Arcadia Elementary School and Rich Township High School STEM Campus, on being selected as winners.

“This Biodiversity Grant Program provides students with a chance to expand their education outside of the classroom,” Hastings said. “I am incredibly grateful that the students at these two schools are being extended this excellent opportunity.”

The program allows schools to take students to state parks, museums, and other natural resource locations to gain hands-on experience with nature and conservation in Illinois.

Students from Arcadia Elementary School’s 4th through 6th grade classes will take a trip to Central Park Wetlands in Park Forest, a local park that contains a restored wetland area.

Students in 11th and 12th grade from Rich Township High School’s STEM Campus will be visiting Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, an 891-acre protected area with a range of different habitat types.

Both trips will provide students with an opportunity to gain in-person experience with biodiversity issues they are learning about in the classroom and expand their knowledge of Illinois and its natural resources.

More information about the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program is available from the IDNR Division of Education at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 217-524-4126. The 2022 application form will be available on the IDNR website within the months to come.

Hastings moves to honor fallen National Guard troops

SPRINGFIELD – A measure spearheaded by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) that would sufficiently honor members of the Illinois National Guard in death passed the Senate Veterans Affairs committee Tuesday.

“The presentation of a flag, whether it’s a state flag or the American flag, to the families of fallen soldiers is a crucial tradition that dates back centuries,” Hastings said. “No soldier’s life should go unrecognized, so I am pleased my colleagues on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee saw fit to extend this privilege to more of our state’s fallen National Guardsmen and women.”

Under current law, members of the Illinois National Guard serving on federal duty or training status are to have a state flag presented to their next of kin upon their death, should they die while serving. Senate Bill 505 adds State Active Duty to this provision, ensuring that all who lose their lives in service of their state and country are properly memorialized.

“Those men and women who serve our state and country honorably and pay the ultimate price for those causes are worthy of the highest form of recognition,” Hastings said. “This change to the current law is a gesture that will make a massive difference to the loved ones of our fallen heroes.”

This legislation will now be considered before the full Senate.

Hastings, Turner visit Clinton Power Station to discuss Illinois’ clean energy future

CLINTON – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) and State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) traveled to the Clinton Power Station Thursday to tour the facility and meet with employees.

“As a devastating energy crisis unfolds in Texas due to winter storms, consumers are experiencing skyrocketing natural gas prices. This demonstrates how essential our nuclear fleet is to reliable energy production in Illinois,” said Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Public Utilities and Energy Committee. “Rest assured, when the time comes, I will be prepared to do everything it can to protect our existing clean energy infrastructure.”

This is Hastings’ sixth power plant tour in recent months, as his committee begins its work this spring on the future of the state's energy policy. Exelon has indicated it will close more nuclear plants this year unless it receives additional aid, and state lawmakers are expected to discuss the future of clean energy in Illinois thoroughly this session.

Joining Hastings on the tour was State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield).

“The situation in Texas serves as a harsh reminder of what can happen when state government neglects existing energy infrastructure while also failing to innovate. Everyday Texans are still enduring unusually frigid temperatures without access to heat and water. This simply cannot be allowed to happen in Illinois,” Turner said. “I look forward to working to ensure that our state’s energy infrastructure remains state-of-the-art, implement training programs for people transitioning to a job in a new energy sector and protect existing, good-paying jobs Downstate.”

The Clinton Power Station has the ability to generate nearly 1,069 net megawatts, enough electricity to power about 1 million average American homes. The 5,000-acre cooling lake is formed by a dam built at the convergence of Salt Creek and the North Fork of Salt Creek. The station serves as an economic driver for numerous Downstate communities, contributing $13 million in property taxes annually. Clinton also supports 2,100 direct and secondary jobs in Illinois.