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

“Setting aside contracts for veteran-owned businesses ensures that we are spending state dollars on supporting our veterans as they work to establish lives after their service to our country,” Munoz said.

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 Executive Committee on Wednesday.

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 full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect individuals who take out a payday loan, Assistant Majority Leader Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) is leading efforts to ensure that the final payment on a loan is not significantly higher than the previous payment.

“Consumers shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the final payment on a loan,” Munoz said. “They should be able to budget throughout the life of a loan without any surprises.”

Senate Bill 1758, which was approved by the Senate executive Committee on Wednesday, caps the amount for a final payment on a loan to 5 percent more than the previously scheduled payment.

The plan clarifies the meaning of “substantially equal installments” in a previous law enacted to help consumers budget effectively to pay back loans. It also makes sure that the entire principal on a loan is not due on the last payment.

The measure heads to the full Senate for consideration.

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.

“What happened to McKinley Park residents is unacceptable, and we’re taking action to prevent a similar situation from happening again,” Munoz said. “People deserve input on projects coming into their community that could potentially have a detrimental effect on their health.”

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 Executive Committee Wednesday.

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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).

“When you’re a police officer or firefighter your family serves with you,” said Munoz, a former Chicago police officer. “We want those children who have lost a parent in the line of duty to know that we acknowledge their loss and give them an opportunity 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 Transportation Committee on Tuesday.

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 full Senate for consideration.