SPRINGFIELD – Appearing on Illinois ballots as presidential and vice-presidential candidates would soon require publicizing tax returns under a proposal led by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“Voters have a right to know a presidential candidate’s conflicts of interests,” Munoz said. “They have reasonably expected this disclosure for decades, and if candidates won’t release the information willingly, then we need a law in place that requires it.”

Senate Bill 145 requiring presidential candidates to file the five most recent years’ tax returns with the Secretary of State before appearing on a primary or general election ballot was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Candidates would need to file their returns five days prior to the date set for certification of the ballot for the general election.

The measure now heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Children of fallen police officers or firefighters would be eligible to receive specialty license plates under a proposal sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“The tragic loss of a parent is unimaginable,” Munoz said. “The children of these brave men and women deserve to be reminded that their parent played an important role in our society, and this is a small gesture that allows them to commemorate their loved one.”

Currently, only the surviving spouse and parents of a fallen police officer or firefighter are eligible for the license plates.

Senate Bill 1894 allows children and step-children of police officers or firefighters who have died in the line of duty to be issued deceased police officer or firefighter license plates. The measure was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

A $15 fee is charged for the first issuance of the license plate in addition to the registration fee. A $2 fee is charged for each registration renewal thereafter.

The proposal is scheduled to move to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois joined a coalition of 18 states, 16 local governments and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in challenging the federal government’s attempt to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 Census. Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) released the following statement:

“Adding a citizenship question on the 2020 Census only serves to frighten our immigrant communities and deter the participation of minority communities. These populations are already undercounted and could lose out on more vital services due to the divisive policies being put forth by the Trump Administration. In turn, that will cause problems for all Americans as our policies fail to reflect demographic realities.

“I stand with Attorney General Raoul in fighting for the rights of immigrant and minority communities. We need to make sure everyone is counted for the sake of all communities across our state and country.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Trump Administration’s appeal of a federal district judge’s ruling barring the question from being asked on April 23.

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading legislation in response to an oversight by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that left McKinley Park residents blindsided by the construction of an asphalt plant in their neighborhood.

“The public has every right to know when a facility that may affect their health is moving into their community,” Munoz said. “There is no reason why McKinley Park residents weren’t given ample notice regarding the asphalt plant, and we don’t want to see another community put in the same situation.”

Last year, McKinley Park residents received only a two week notice before construction on an asphalt plant began. Munoz held a town hall in July to discuss the issue with the community resulting in the legislation that was approved in the Senate on Thursday.

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