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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SPRINGFIELD – El líder asistente a la mayoría del Senado de Illinois, Antonio “Tony” Muñoz (D-Chicago), lideró una legislación que responde a un error de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Illinois que dejó en la oscuridad a los residentes de McKinley Park sobre la construcción de una planta de asfalto en su vecindario.

“El público tiene todo el derecho de saber cuándo una compañía que puede afectar su salud si muda a su comunidad”, dijo Muñoz. “No hay justificación del porqué los residentes de McKinley Park no fueron notificados ampliamente, y no queremos ver a otras comunidades en la misma situación”.

El año pasado, los residentes de McKinley Park fueron notificados sólo dos semanas antes de que comenzara la construcción de la planta. Muñoz organizó una junta comunitaria en julio pasado para hablar con la comunidad sobre el asunto, conversación que dio pie a la legislación que acaba de aprobar el Senado.

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SPRINGFIELD – More veteran-owned businesses would secure state contracts under a measure sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“We need to do our best to foster veteran-owned businesses in our state,” Munoz said. “This is a valuable commitment to veterans who are establishing themselves after serving our country.”

Senate Bill 1680 allows chief procurement officers to set aside a fair proportion of construction, supply or service contracts for veteran-owned businesses, and was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Currently, state agencies have a goal of awarding at least 3 percent of state contracts to veteran-owned businesses.

In order to be considered a veteran-owned or disabled veteran-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.

The proposal heads to the House consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – Spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty would be eligible for grants and scholarships from the Police Memorial Committee under a proposal by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago).

“This measure offers support to spouses who have lost their partner in the line of duty,” said Munoz, a former Chicago police officer. “Moving forward after such a tragic loss is extremely difficult, but offering scholarships can play a small part in a spouse’s healing process.”

Currently, the Police Memorial Committee offers scholarships to children of police officers killed in the line of duty. Senate Bill 1183 extends the pool of recipients to include spouses.

The Police Memorial Committee Fund receives $10 of every issuance fee for Police Memorial Committee license plates, and $23 of every renewal fee thereafter. The fund is also used for maintaining a memorial statute on the Capitol Complex, and holding an annual memorial commemoration.

The measure heads to the House for consideration.