Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura

Ventura passes resolution to declare Workers’ Memorial Day in Illinois

Details: Thursday, April 18, 2024 09:18 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – To promote and highlight the importance of improving work place safety and honor those who have been injured or killed from workplace accidents, State Senator Rachel Ventura championed a resolution to declare April 26, 2024 as Workers' Memorial Day in Illinois.

“Despite regulations in place like the Occupational Safety and Health Act, thousands of dedicated workers across the country are killed, disabled or severely injured by occupational diseases or workplace injuries every year,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “It’s essential to practice safety in the workplace to prevent these injuries and deaths. Every person deserves a safe workplace as a fundamental right, and employers need to be diligent in following the rules in place.”

Senate Resolution 895 encourages all employers to reaffirm their efforts toward improving workplace safety and serves as a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work. Additionally, it strives to seek stronger health standard enforcement and treating workers with dignity as constant improvements in worker safety are pursed.

Ventura to tackle deteriorating roads with out-of-state cargo transportation fee

Details: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 10:14 PM

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SPRINGFIELD – To address crumbling roads in some of the district’s most traveled areas, State Senator Rachel Ventura is leading a measure that would impose a fee on interstate carriers with the collected fees going toward maintenance and repairs of roads most affected by heavy transportation travel.

“My district has one of the biggest transportation hubs in the state and has had ongoing issues with highway infrastructure due to heavy trucking,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Far too often, the 43rd District is left with the burden of fixing reoccurring pot holes and damage due to the lack of tax dollars from local sales since these trucks often sell goods from elsewhere. This fee would address that issue by directly funding new projects to help fix the roads that need it the most.”

Senate Bill 2784 would impose a cargo fee on each semi-truck that transports tangible personal property. The fee that will be imposed on carriers would vary between $0.50 and $8 per vehicle depending on weight.

Ventura advances legislation to protect local tax dollars

Details: Friday, April 12, 2024 02:22 PM

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SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced legislation that would prevent corporations from double-dipping local taxpayer dollars meant for economic development.

“The goal of this legislation is to ensure surplus taxpayer dollars go back to home owners and not to corporations and private investors who want another payout,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must ensure these dollars are protected.”

Ventura’s initiative was initially brought to her attention by a local school district that had to send surplus dollars to a warehouse that already had a tax-incentive. The measure seeks to eliminate the problem of double-dipping by private investors who receive tax incentives on both the front and back end of development projects.

Ventura passes measure to expand clean energy infrastructure loans to counties

Details: Friday, April 12, 2024 01:19 AM

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SPRINGFIELD – To expand clean energy infrastructure across Illinois, State Senator Rachel Ventura spearheaded legislation through the Senate that would allow local government to apply for loans through the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank.

“It is our moral obligation to address the ongoing climate crisis at all levels,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By offering these low-rate loans to local government, we will not only save taxpayers money in the long run, but also address and tackle the effects of climate change head on.”

Senate Bill 3597 would allow units of local government to apply and obtain a loan from the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank to build, purchase, remodel or improve clean energy infrastructure.

Welcome

Dear Friends,

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor to serve the citizens of the 43rd Senate District in the Illinois General Assembly. On this website, you can learn a little bit about me, my record in the General Assembly, and the services I can provide you.

I always welcome feedback from my constituents, so if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Senator Rachel Ventura