State Senator John G. Mulroe today voted for a balanced budget that supports schools, our most vulnerable Illinoisans and fiscal stability for the state.

“I am proud to support a bipartisan and balanced budget,” said Mulroe, a Chicago Democrat. “This budget aids our schools, provides for Illinoisans in need, and spends within our means to keep us on a path toward fiscal stability. Today’s vote came after months of hearings and negotiations and represents what a democracy should be about – compromise.”

The budget includes an additional $400 million for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education and an additional $60 million for higher education over last year’s funding level. The majority of that money will support the evidence-based school funding model, under which no school district would receive less funding than it did the year before. It also prevents a pension cost shift to local school districts that the governor proposed, which could have increased local property taxes.

“Nearly a year ago, the evidence-based school funding model was signed into law in my district at Ebinger Elementary School,” Mulroe said. “I am delighted that this year’s budget continues to prioritize and increase funding for education.”

Additionally, the budget package prevents a rate cut to Medicaid service providers as the governor proposed in February. Illinois has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation. Further reductions to Medicaid service providers could make it more difficult for patients to access care.

“As a society, I believe it is our responsibility to take care of our neediest members,” Mulroe said. “That includes funding institutions and programs that support Medicaid patients, child care assistance, homeless prevention services, the elderly, and mental health services as this budget does.”

The budget package now moves to the House for consideration.

State Senator John G. Mulroe is helping Chicago firefighters benefit from money that is supposed to go toward materials and supplies to ensure their safety but often is withheld for other purposes.

“Firefighters risk their lives for us every day, and they should have the tools they need to safely protect our communities,” Mulroe (D-Chicago) said. “After hearing that firefighters in Chicago are dealing with gloves that do not provide the necessary dexterity for them to do their jobs, I knew I had to do something to help them.”

Mulroe fought for funding for Chicago firefighters that every other Illinois municipality benefits from. He helped to advance House Bill 5197, which creates a Foreign Fire Insurance Board in Chicago to control foreign fire insurance funds.

These funds are received through a 2 percent tax on out-of-state fire insurance companies that sell policies in Illinois. The board would use the funding to support maintenance or enhancement of fire stations, training facilities, emergency response vehicles, tools and equipment or to benefit firefighters.

“This newly created board will draw on the knowledge, experience and expertise of the rank-and-file to purchase items that allow them to safely operate in the many hazardous situations they routinely encounter,” said Robert Tebbens, legislative director of Chicago Firefighters’ Union Local 2. “It will also give their families confidence that they will return home safely.”

Currently, all Illinois municipalities with fewer than 500,000 residents have a foreign fire insurance board. In Chicago, the money is distributed to the city’s general revenue fund. In other municipalities, the Illinois Municipal League collects and remits the money to the various boards.

Proponents believe the Chicago Foreign Fire Insurance Fund has a balance of more than $4 million.

“This funding is supposed to support firefighters and fire stations. Rather than go directly to firefighters like it does in every other municipality, in Chicago this money goes straight to the city,” Mulroe said. “This legislation brings Chicago in line with the rest of the state and sets up a local board to control the funding.”

Under this proposal, board trustees would be elected by their peers and serve pro bono. The measure is awaiting a concurrence vote in the House before it can be sent to the governor’s desk.

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.