FRANKFORT— State Senator Michael E. Hastings urges area residents to show appreciation to emergency personnel on First Responders Day, which falls on Friday, Oct. 28.

“Every day, our brave heroes put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “First Responders Day is an annual reminder that we must come together to celebrate the courage and strength of the emergency personnel in our communities.”

Last week, Hastings presented a $610,000 grant to Fire Chief Michael Schofield for the Orland Fire Protection District. The project will help improve regional public safety operations and decrease response times by automating the process of requesting, dispatching and tracking fire and distress calls by providing mutual aid across Cook and Will counties. More than 40 communities across the South Suburbs will benefit by reducing response times for emergency services.

FRANKFORT – As World Mental Health Day approaches on Oct. 10, State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging Illinoisans to work together to end the stigma around mental health.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) has spent his career advocating for mental health funding and support for residents throughout the 19^th Senate District. Not only this day but year round, he reiterates the importance of checking in on residents’ mental wellbeing.

“Our mental health is key in ensuring you lead a happy and healthy life,” said Hastings. “We need to work together to end this stigma and take care of ourselves.”

Hastings urges residents who are struggling or know someone else who is in need of assistance to call the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953 to connect with a peer support specialist.

This year he passed House Bill 1321, a new law to provide mental health resources to the state’s first responders. This initiative was signed into law in May.

FRANKFORT – Illinois residents will see a 10-day reduced state sales tax holiday on school supplies starting today, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) spearheaded a bipartisan law that will help families and teachers see lower back-to-school shopping costs.

The law lowers the state tax rate on school supplies and eligible clothes and footwear from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14, 2022.

“As a nod to our working parents, guardians and teachers in Illinois, lowering the tax rate on school supplies removes a burden when preparing for the academic year,” said Hastings. “It’s my hope that by instituting a tax holiday, we can help relieve families and educators of some financial costs in order to prepare students for the upcoming school year.”

Hastings’ initiative also increases the educator’s tax credit to up to $500 for out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies.

FRANKFORT – Illinois has a series of new commonsense laws on the books, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) championed several initiatives that will have a positive impact on the lives of the residents of the Southland.

“This year I sponsored and advocated for new laws to expand our economy, create new jobs and support our nation’s heroes,” Hastings said. “We took some steps to combat carjackings and ensure our first responders have the tools to keep our communities safe.”

Hastings’ sponsored new laws to create new jobs of the future, assist veterans, support first responders and promote safety in communities across the 19^th District.