An amendment to legislation that would provide increased funding for sexual assault organizations throughout Illinois unanimously passed the Senate Public Health Committee this morning. The measure, sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), would institute fees on the owners of live adult entertainment facilities that would be used for organizations that provide services to those who have been sexually assaulted.

Under amendment #3 to House Bill 1645, operators of an adult entertainment facility would have the choice of instituting a $3 per person fee for every person admitted to their facility or an annual fee determined by the gross receipts of the club, typically made up of alcohol sales. The annual fee would be progressive, with clubs paying from $5,000 per year to $25,000 for clubs that take in over $2 million in gross receipts.

House Bill 1645 will now head to the Senate floor for further debate. If approved by the Senate, the measure would arrive in the House for a concurrence vote before heading to the Governor for his signature.

Read more: Update: Strip club surcharge amendment passes committee, heads to Senate floor

Senate President John J. Cullerton sat down with us recently to discuss major issues like the state budget, pensions, Medicaid and more.

Lawmakers will be focusing on the Medicaid program in the next two weeks trying to identify waste, fraud, abuse, and savings in a program that has grown exponentially over the past several years. Watch our video to see what Senate President Cullerton has to say on the program and the progress made by state lawmakers.

After a successful implementation of Illinois’ ‘first-in-the-nation’ Internet Gaming legislation, Senate President John Cullerton is proposing new standards and practices designed to keep Illinois at the top Internet Gaming in the nation.

In a letter to legislative leaders and the governor, President Cullerton has stated his intention to file House Bill 4148, which would create the Division of Internet Gaming within the Department of the Lottery.  The proposal comes after many states, including New Jersey, California and Massachusetts, saw the success of Illinois’ Internet Gaming and are working to start their own programs.

Read more: Cullerton Proposal will Strengthen Illinois’ Internet Gaming

Retired state and public university employees receiving free health care coverage could soon be contributing to their health plans under legislation passed today by the Illinois Senate. The current system grants retirees who have accumulated 20 years of service free health insurance coverage, as the state picks up 5% of health care costs per year of service. Every year, Illinois pays nearly $900 million in costs associated with retiree health care benefits.

Read more: Means testing proposal for retiree health care benefits passes Senate

Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford’s (D – Maywood) long-held passion for and focus on education is what makes her one of Illinois’ go-to legislators on education issues. After passing a nationally-heralded, comprehensive education reform package last year in the form of Senate Bill 7, Senator Lightford continues her education advocacy work this legislative session with several measures.

Today, two of Lightford’s education measures advanced out of the Senate.

Recess for all Illinois children

The first, a plan to grant all Illinois children time in the school day for recess (Senate Bill 636), is the result of months of negotiations amongst key education stakeholders.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that kids need to be kids,” Lightford said. “Our children deserve a chance to play and relax during the school day. Learning to make friends and use your imagination is every bit as important as learning multiplication and grammar.”

Read more: Senator Lightford Keeps Focus on Education, Passing Recess and Dropout Age Measures out of Senate