SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) joined more than a half dozen of her colleagues on Tuesday at a Press Conference announcing her support for Stopgap Higher Education funding utilizing the Educational Assistance Fund (EAF) as a temporary funding source until a budget is passed.  On Friday, the Illinois legislature overwhelmingly passed the legislation suggested by this group of legislators in the Illinois House with over 100 votes in favor of the bill (SB 2059) and subsequently in the Illinois Senate as well later Friday morning.

Rep. Hammond has supported a number of bills this spring to fund Higher Education, each with designated funding sources.  The latest proposal was passed to fund state universities through August, utilizing approximately $600 million remaining in the EAF at the end of the fiscal year on June 30.  Further, the proposal is slated to provide stopgap MAP grant funding to help keep students of limited means at Illinois community colleges and state universities, in addition to over $74 million in direct funding to community colleges. 

“Let me be clear, this is not a permanent solution, but I strongly believe we need to get funding moving to keep our state universities and community colleges open.  I am pleased that cooler heads prevailed on this issue and am hopeful the Senate will also pass this lifeline to our institutions of higher education and the students they serve,” said Rep. Hammond.

Hammond was also recently appointed to be on a working group that is meeting regularly over the past week to attempt to iron out a bipartisan budget solution.  Meetings are ongoing, driven by rank-and-file members and productive thus far.  Hammond characterized the movement on higher education as a sign that, “rank-and-file members can drive compromise on these budgetary issues and I will continue to work toward compromise and real solutions.”

The stopgap measure provides approximate nearly $15 million in funding to Western Illinois University in Macomb and an additional $5 million in MAP Grant funds to WIU students.

Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to contact her with questions or concerns on this or any other state issue. Hammond’s Macomb district office can be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via e-mail at rephammond@macomb.com. Constituents can also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.

Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, and Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren counties.

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SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) continued her push for Grandparents Rights in Illinois with House passage of House Bill 5656 last Tuesday.  House Bill 5656 would add Great-Grandparents to the statute requiring DCFS to make reasonable accommodations to provide for visitation privileges to a non-custodial grandparent as well as allowing grandparents to request a clinical review when denied visitation.

Rep. Hammond had previously passed legislation in 2015 requiring DCFS to attempt to accommodate non-custodial grandparent visitation of a child who is in the care and custody of the Department.  This legislation was the next step in the process of allowing additional Grandparents Rights.  “We know that there are many non-custodial grandparents and great-grandparents that would like the ability to visit their grandchildren who are in the care of DCFS.  This common-sense bill would allow these families that opportunity, when reasonable for DCFS to accommodate,” said Rep. Hammond from Springfield.

Rep. Hammond went on to say, “it is critically important for these children to maintain familial connections when appropriate.  We know, when appropriate, grandparents should have the opportunity to play an intricate role in their grandchildren’s lives.  This bill further adds great-grandparents to be considered by the Department and allows for additional clinical review of DCFS’ decision if visitation is denied.”

House Bill 5656 passed the Illinois House by a vote of 112-0 and will now go on to the State Senate.

Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to contact her with questions or concerns on this or any other state issue. Hammond’s Macomb district office can be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via e-mail at rephammond@macomb.com. Constituents can also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.

Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, and Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren counties.

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SPRINGFIELD – Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) today passed legislation modernizing the organization of Adult Education under Area Planning Councils, an effort that brings Illinois into compliance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

“This legislation enhances the delivery of adult education programs across the state and reduces the duplication of instructional services by aligning programs more closely with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,” said Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board.

The WIOA was signed into law federally in 2014 with the goal of helping job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the job market and match employers with the skilled workers they need to complete in the global economy.  The Illinois Community College Board supported Rep. Hammond’s legislation (House Bill 5894) to update state statutes to ensure Area Planning Council’s are able to coordinate adult education services for individuals who are (A) 16 years of age or older (B) who are not enrolled in secondary school under state law and (C) who lack sufficient mastery of basic education skills to enable the individual to function effectively in society; do not have a secondary school diploma or its equivalent; or are unable to speak, read, or write the English language.  The legislation also modernizes statutes permitting large community college districts to form smaller sub-areas within a larger Area Planning Council.

“I am happy to sponsor this legislation on behalf of community colleges throughout Illinois, who are working hard to implement adult education programs that align well with federal workforce preparation guidelines and better connect job seekers with employers,” said Rep. Norine Hammond.

House Bill 5894 unanimously passed the Illinois House and will now go on to the State Senate.

Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to contact her with questions or concerns on this or any other state issue. Hammond’s Macomb district office can be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via e-mail at rephammond@macomb.com. Constituents can also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.

Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, and Fulton, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren counties.

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