SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Michael E. Hastings is working to ensure workers’ rights and Illinois’ business needs are balanced.

Hastings supported House Bill 2525, which consists of provisions negotiated during bipartisan and bicameral working groups over the past year.

“This measure will streamline the state’s workers’ compensation system while keeping valuable protections in place to protect working people,” Hastings said. “We sought to strike a compromise between workers’ rights and keeping Illinois businesses competitive.”

House Bill 2525 includes several provisions regulating insurance companies, including prior review of premium rates and giving the Department of Insurance the ability to declare a rate excessive. These are included to pass more of the savings already achieved by the 2011 workers’ comp reform bill on to employers by reducing premiums.

“The balance between workers and businesses is essential; one cannot thrive without the other,” Hastings said.  “This legislation is the result of bipartisan negotiations. We need to work together in the best interest of the people of Illinois.”

Hastings has aimed to pass structural reforms that were requested by Governor Bruce Rauner. Hastings hopes now the governor will work with the General Assembly to pass a budget.  
The Illinois Senate Democrats have passed local government consolidation, procurement reform and property tax relief this year to help lead the governor back to the table for budget negotiations to pass a balanced budget.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) worked to pass bipartisan and bicameral structural reforms that will make the procurement process more efficient and more transparent for Illinois’ taxpayers.

Hastings passed Senate Bill 8, a plan to improve the way state government purchases goods and services.

“This legislation is the product of bipartisan negotiations,” Hastings said. “I’m proud that the Illinois General Assembly came together to work in the best interests of our residents. The next step is to pass a bipartisan budget.”

Hastings continues to hear from residents across the Southland that procurement rules can be difficult for vendors, state agencies and universities to navigate.

“Removing red tape and streamlining the process will make it easier for local businesses to bid on state contracts,” Hastings said. “Our local businesses are the heart of our economy. And they will lead us back to prosperity.”

This measure expands the ability of state universities to purchase needed products and services without going through the procurement process. Illinois would be allowed to enter into joint purchasing agreements with other governmental units. Vendors would also be given more flexibility when registering or submitting a bid.

Procurement reform was a structural reform requested by Governor Bruce Rauner. Hastings hopes now that the Senate has acted to address the governor’s structural reforms he will work in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to work toward passing a state budget.

The Illinois Senate has passed structural reforms in hopes the governor will compromise and pass a bipartisan budget that will be kind and compassionate toward the residents of the Southland.  

“The time to act is now,” Hastings said. “The Illinois Senate has held up their part of the deal. We have passed local government consolidation, workers’ compensation reform and now procurement reform. It is time for the governor to help us help the people of Illinois. Our children, seniors and most vulnerable cannot afford to wait any longer.”

SPRINGFIELD – Figures reported by U.S. Public Interest Research Groups found the federal government lost over $150 billion in revenue in 2013 due to offshore corporate tax havens. 

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) passed House Bill 3419 to level the playing field among businesses that compete for state contracts and investments.

“Corporations that use offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes should not be rewarded with state contracts and business,” Hastings said. “If businesses are going to avoid paying taxes, they should not be making money off of tax payer dollars.”
House Bill 3419 will prohibit expatriate corporations from submitting bids or entering into contracts with state agencies.  

Expatriate corporations utilize tax havens to avoid paying taxes.

“It is plain and simple. If corporations don’t pay taxes they should not benefit from state contracts,” Hastings said. “We need to give local businesses that play fair and pay their fair share of Illinois income taxes a chance to compete and be successful when they bid for state contracts.”

This will apply to any foreign country that does not impose a substantial income tax or substantial business activity tax.

House Bill 3419 passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) is outraged at Governor Rauner’s administration for leaking false education funding numbers to one of his many political operations.

Hastings is joining his colleagues in urging the Illinois Executive Inspector General to investigate the misuse of state resources.  

“Governor Rauner is bringing Washington politics to Springfield,” Hastings said. “Governor Rauner has compromised his integrity, information and is hindering our children’s ability to succeed. All of Illinois’ children should receive a fair chance to receive a good education regardless of their financial or socioeconomic background.”

The Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 1, school funding reform, on Wednesday, May 17.

During the Senate debate, Hastings was informed that the governor’s administration did not have finalized accurate funding levels for school districts.

However, on Thursday night, one of the governor’s many political organizations starting contacting school districts throughout Illinois with false numbers to campaign against senators who voted in support of giving students across Illinois the opportunity to succeed.

“This is not the first example of the governor’s misuse of state funds,” Hastings said. “Within the last two months we have unveiled a $2.4 million warehouse leasing deal to benefit his buddies and using state resources for political purposes. What is next?”

Under Senate Bill 1, schools throughout the state would not see a decrease in funding. However, schools that are not at proper funding levels will receive an increase in state dollars to ensure children across Illinois are given the opportunity to receive a good education regardless of the zip code they live in.

“This is a clear violation of state law,” Hastings said. “Entities that receive state dollars cannot use the Illinois taxpayers’ dollars to campaign. We need to find who is responsible for attempting to sabotage negotiations to move our state forward and give our children a better future.”

Illinois Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Illinois Executive Inspector General asking for a formal investigation.

“Governor Rauner, stop screwing around,” Hastings said. “The children of Illinois need you to stop campaigning and do your job. They cannot afford to wait.”