A measure sponsored by State Senator John G. Mulroe to simplify Illinois’ complicated court fee system recently cleared the Senate.

Because court fees in Illinois vary greatly among counties, House Bill 4594 aims to standardize them by establishing four categories for civil fees and fines and 13 categories for criminal and traffic cases.

“Court fees should not be so confusing that they prevent people from accessing the justice system,” Mulroe (D-Chicago) said. “This measure creates a uniform system that will increase efficiency.”

If signed into law, the changes to the fee structure would not take effect until July 1, 2019, allowing ample time for counties to adjust.

The legislation is based on the findings of the Statutory Court Fee Task Force, which Mulroe helped create in 2013. The task force was established to evaluate statutory fees on litigants and present recommendations to the General Assembly.

The task force found that courts have been passing on administrative court costs to the parties that bring court cases. It also found that court fees have increased at a rate that outpaces inflation and that there is excessive variation across the state for these assessments. The high price tag and disparities on these fees have a disproportionate effect on low-income residents.

House Bill 4594 passed the Senate with a vote of 45-8.

Local libraries in Harwood Heights and Schiller Park will benefit from more than $43,000 in funding through the Illinois Public Library Per Capita grant.

“From computer literacy classes and story time to sidewalk drawing contests and seminars on healthy living, libraries support individuals from all walks of life,” State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) said.

“Our libraries provide so many valuable services to our neighborhoods. I hope these grants will help them further their efforts to support the community.”

More than $15 million in funding was awarded to 630 libraries statewide through Secretary of State Jesse White’s Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grants.

Per Capita grants help fund library expenses such as materials, personnel, equipment, telecommunications and technology. Equalization Aid grants help qualifying public libraries with a low library tax base ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

The following libraries in the 10th Senate district will receive funds:

Applications for these grants are due Jan. 15. For more information, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/grants/plpc_equalization.html.

Legislation sponsored by State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) to allow students with disabilities who attend a special needs cooperative school to continue their education even if their home district withdraws from the agreement recently sailed through the Senate.

“Students with special needs who are thriving in their school should not be forced to change educational programs due to bureaucratic decisions,” Mulroe said. “I think continuity in education is vitally important to the development of all children.”

Senate Bill 2344 allows students with disabilities that attend a special education cooperative in a different school district than their own to continue to attend that co-op if the district withdraws from the co-op.  The home school district would be required to pay the costs of sending children to out-of-district cooperatives.

Additionally, the withdrawing district would be required to present evidence to its board and other member districts that prove that withdrawing from the joint agreement is in the best interest of the students.

“If a school district decides to withdraw from a special education cooperative and disrupt the lives and education of students, I feel that they need to have a thorough explanation as to how the withdrawal would improve the students’ education,” Mulroe said.

This legislation was introduced in response to Norridge School District 80’s decision to withdraw from the Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative. If the withdrawal is approved, five children with special needs living in Norridge would be forced to leave their current school.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John G. Mulroe, a Chicago Democrat, issued the following statement in response to the passage of Senate Bill 2332, also known as Tobacco 21:

“Cigarettes kill. That’s the main reason why we need to raise the age of purchasing tobacco in Illinois to 21. Smoking is a costly habit to individuals and to the state in the form of health care costs. We should do everything in our power to prevent teens from ever picking up a cigarette.”

Mulroe sponsored similar legislation to raise the age of purchasing tobacco to 21 in 2016.