SPRINGFIELD – On Sunday, the governor signed into law a measure aimed at lowering college tuition costs for veterans. The law, sponsored by State Senator Michael Hastings (D–Orland Hills), grants Illinois residency to veterans who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program passed. Granting veterans residency allows them to qualify for instate tuition, thus lowering the cost of tuition fees and rates. 

"Illinois will be the second state in the country to provide this great benefit to all members of the armed forces,” Hastings said. "This new law will draw talented individuals to Illinois and educate them to be the next generation of leaders for our country."

Hastings’ measure resolves a disparity in the Post-9/11 Education Assistance Program that inadvertently burdened a significant number of American veterans with thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket tuition and fees based on residency status.

“The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides an opportunity for our veterans to get the proper education they need to find good-paying jobs after they finish serving their country,” Hastings said. “Unfortunately, veterans are having difficulties obtaining state residency, which results in higher tuition costs and fees. This law will reconcile that issue."

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act is a federal law passed in 2008 that provides financial assistance to veterans wanting to go to college after finishing active duty. The law applies to veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.

CHICAGO – A traffic safety measure sponsored by Senator Michael Hastings (19-Matteson) was signed by the governor recently, a new law intended to prevent dangerous drivers from getting court supervision after a fatal accident.

“I commend the legislature for passing this and the governor for signing it,” Secretary of State Jesse White said. “I would also like to commend the Spears Family for their support of Patricia’s law.”

Sponsored by Senator Hastings and State Representative John D’Amico (15-Chicago), House Bill 1010 known as Patricia’s Law is named after Patricia McNamara, who was killed by a distracted driver who was then fined and sentenced to court supervision. This meant that no conviction appeared on the driver’s record. The new law prohibits a court from granting supervision to anyone charged as the result of a fatal accident if that driver has had prior court supervision.

“We have to continue strengthening our laws to curb egregious overuse of court supervision,” Hastings said. “I was shocked to learn that someone who had caused a fatal accident could qualify for court supervision.”

The law takes effect January 1, 2014.

UNIVERSITY PARK – State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Orland Hills) stood in support as Governor Quinn signed the South Suburban Airport Act into law on Thursday. The act, co-sponsored by Hastings, dedicated funding to the development of a new airport in Peotone. The airport will be built by the Illinois Department of Transportation and operate in a public-private partnership, known as a “P3”.

“I made a commitment to the residents of the 19th District that I would look for new opportunities to create jobs and foster growth in the Southland,” Hastings said. “This law will expand our intermodal transportation system and bring hundreds of construction and skilled labor jobs to an area that has been struggling to recover from the recent downturn in the economy. It’s a start in the right direction, and I believe, a sign of better things to come.”

Senate Bill 20 was approved by both the House and Senate in May of this year.

On Friday, the Illinois Senate passed a measure laying the framework to allow Illinois residents to carry a concealed firearm. State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D–Orland Park), a co-sponsor of the measure, was one of 45 senators who voted in favor of the bill.

“Today is a historic day for Illinois,” Hastings said. “We now join 49 other states in allowing responsible gun owners to protect themselves and their families by exercising their constitutional right to carry a concealed firearm.”

House Bill 183 received bipartisan support and now awaits approval by the House.

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Overview of House Bill 183:

• Shall Issue – Creates a shall issue concealed carry license that is valid throughout the State for 5 years.
• Objects – If law enforcement finds a person is a danger or threat to public safety, they can object to an application and that objection will be reviewed by a 7 member Board made up of federal judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, and a mental health professional.
• Prohibited Places – It lists various prohibited places like schools, government buildings, hospitals, bars, and parks.
• Safe Haven – A person with a license will have a safe haven in his or her car if the firearm is locked in a case or in a truck.
• Preemption – Prohibits towns from further restricting any issue related to concealed carry, transportation of firearms by FOID Card holders, and any new assault weapons bans.
• Mental Health – Requires very strict mental health reporting so that people with mental health issues cannot get a FOID Card and possess a firearm.