SPRINGFIELD – Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) sponsored legislation to modernize the state’s child support laws, by requiring both parents’ income to be considered in determining child support.

“Illinois has a lot of archaic laws. The child support laws on the books do not consider the modern family when determining the necessary child support for many families,” Hastings said.

House Bill 3982 would update a portion of  Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act for the first time since 1984.

The new model is called the “income shares” model. It would consider the income of both parents and what it would be if they were living together. It also would modernize the costs of raising a child in Illinois.

“It is time we bring Illinois in line and make a more equitable system for not only the child, but for both parents involved in raising that child,” Hastings said.

This legislation passed the House. Should HB 3982 be signed into law, Illinois would join 38 other states and the District of Columbia in utilizing the income shares model.

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) recently co-sponsored legislation that would remove the statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes against children.

“The fact that sexual predators can get away with these crimes and their victims have to live with it forever is disturbing,” Hastings said. “We need to be protecting children as much as we can and that includes ensuring their victims can see justice being served.”

Senate Bill 3402 is in response to the Dennis Hastert case where the statute of limitations had already expired. The legislation would remove the limitation if the victim was a child.

The legislation is currently under consideration in the Senate.

SPRINGFIELD –Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) proudly introduced a resolution in the Illinois Senate to declare November 2016 Lung Cancer Awareness Month on the behalf of Ian Piet, a fifth-grader from Tinley Park in the 19th District.

Piet lost his father in 2015 to a fight with lung cancer, motivating him to become an advocate and fundraiser for a cure.

Working closely with a variety groups to find a cure and collect donations, Piet raised over $800. Participating in the Hancock Hustle, Piet took to the steps of the John Hancock building in Chicago and raised $200 by running up to the top of the building and met United States Senator Mark Kirk on his way up.

“People like Ian are our future and I am so glad to see young people fighting for a great cause like curing cancer,” Hastings said. “I am proud to represent community leaders like Ian and join him in his fight to find a cure.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) voted to send more than $750 million in emergency funding to social service agencies throughout the state.

“Our social service infrastructure was being decimated by this impasse,” Hastings said. “This money will allow many social service agencies to stay afloat while we continue to negotiate a full human services budget.”

Senate Bill 2038 was passed after the Senate concurred on a House amendment that would send necessary resources for services that provide for sexual assault victims, children with autism and the homeless.

The legislation now moves to the governor’s desk for approval.