SPRINGFIELD – Airline employees may soon have sick time flexibility, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined members of the Senate to pass House Bill 106, which allows airline employees to use already-earned sick time to care for sick family members.

“For far too long, airlines have been forcing hard working employees to choose between their livelihood and the health and well-being of their family members,” Hastings said. “It is about time that airlines join the many nationwide corporations in supporting their employees and adopting humane work policies.”

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FRANKFORT – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is pleased to announce that 18 businesses in the district he represents will receive nearly $800,000 in combined grants to help them bounce back from the pandemic.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“These vital funds will help struggling business owners who were hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hastings said. “The small businesses across the south suburbs have worked tirelessly to support our community in countless ways. Now is the time for us to help them recover and bounce back from this awful pandemic.”

To further help small businesses across the community, Hastings urges residents to eat and shop local this holiday season.

“As you start working through your holiday gift lists, think, shop and dine local,” Hastings said. “Shopping local is another way to invest in our small businesses and keep growing our economy.”

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards page at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.

RICHTON PARK – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) is partnering with Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to host a recycling event.

The event will include electronic recycling, shredding and serve as a drop-off location to safely dispose of unused, expired and unwanted medications.

“Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop shop to recycle electronics, safely dispose of medications you no longer need and shred personal documents,” Hastings said. “I encourage the hardworking families of the southland to take advantage of this free event.”

To accommodate all participants, each person will be limited to two boxes of residential shredding. Boxes and bags will be returned. Documents will be accepted for shredding until trucks reach capacity. Destroying documents with personal information such as bank statements, outdated medical reports, tax returns and bills help prevent the risk of consumer fraud and identity theft.

Human and pet medications will be accepted however, liquid medications and sharps will not be accepted. Proper disposal of unused prescription drugs help reduce the risk of accidental poisoning and drug addiction.
Hastings recognizes that disposing of old electronics can also be a difficult process and urges residents to take advantage of this resource. Only one television will be accepted per car along with other electronics, cables and small appliances.

If residents have questions about the event, Hastings urges them to contact his office at 815-464-5431 or visit www.SenatorHastings.com.

WHO: State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart
WHAT: Free Recycling Event
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon
WHERE: Rich Township (22013 Governors Highway, Richton Park, IL)

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Commerce Commission is working swiftly to implement the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act to make Illinois a leader in fighting climate change, thanks to the work of Frankfort Democrat, State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings, who serves as chair of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, led legislative negotiations for the Senate Democratic Caucus. He is thrilled to see the ICC begin the process of applying vital provisions.

“This historic, bipartisan agreement will provide Illinois residents with reliable, renewable and responsible energy,” Hastings said. “I am pleased to see the ICC working diligently to carry out the immediate requirements of the new law.”

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