FRANKFORT — State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced multiple libraries in the southland are set to receive a combined total of nearly $389,000 for library services and programming.

“Libraries in the 19^th District are so much more than where you can go to check out books," said Hastings (D-Frankfort). "Libraries are where book clubs form, local group meetings are held, skills are learned and a strong sense of community is built."

Through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants program, 639 public libraries statewide will receive nearly $18 million in grants. Libraries may use the funds to support resources and services for their communities, including books, e-books, online resources and internet access, personnel, public programming and capital expenditures.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D–Frankfort) issued the following statement regarding the passage of the Illinois state budget:

“When I think about this budget, I think about the moms and dads working long hours, the teachers shaping young minds, and the families doing their best to build a good life here in Illinois. My job is to make sure government works for them—and this budget takes steps to do just that.

“It’s not perfect. There are parts I supported and parts I did not. But it keeps our schools open, supports our social service agencies, and invests in the infrastructure that makes our communities safe and connected.

“Illinois, like many states across the nation, will face extraordinary challenges in the coming years. These pressures—many of them coming from the federal level—will test our resolve and our ability to adapt.

“As members of the General Assembly, we are called to serve our communities. Should we get the call to come back to Springfield to tackle the continued uncertainties from the federal government, we will do so. We owe it to the people we serve to stay vigilant, work together and keep our focus on solutions.

“I’ll continue to fight for policies that put families first, that make life a little easier for those doing the hard work every day and that honor the trust you’ve placed in me to lead.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a critical public safety measure to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of minors and individuals at risk. Hastings is working to strengthen Illinois’ safe storage laws and expand protections to help keep guns out of the hands of children, at-risk individuals and criminals.

“Far too many preventable tragedies have occurred for nothing to be done,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Safe gun storage will keep weapons out of the hands of criminals protect our children from a nightmare scenario.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a measure through the Illinois Senate to ensure taking time off work to donate an organ doesn’t put workers’ livelihoods at risk.

“Donating an organ is a beautiful and selfless act,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Workers need to be treated with respect, not punished, for becoming an organ donor.”

The bill allows eligible part-time workers to take up to 10 days of leave in a 12-month period to serve as organ donors. For part-time employees receiving compensation for their donation, employers must pay them based on their average daily pay over the previous two months of employment.