WILLOWBROOK– Willowbrook residents may soon have regulations in place to address the public health crisis created by unsafe levels of the cancer-causing chemical, ethylene oxide in the community’s air supply.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is sponsoring a package of measures that will protect communities like Willowbrook across the 24th State Senate District.

“This bipartisan legislation will guarantee local residents are not only safe from this cancer-causing chemical, but also ensure they’re informed and have the opportunity to share their concerns,” Glowiak said. “The residents of Willowbrook have been courageous advocates in the fight to protect all of us in DuPage County. I would like to thank them for their dedication to safeguarding our neighborhoods for generations to come.”

Glowiak joined the legislation’s sponsor State Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) in fighting to safeguard not only Willowbrook but all of Illinois from this disastrous public health hazard.

The three measures take a multifaceted approach to address this health crisis:

LISLE – Freshman Senator Suzy Glowiak held her first bipartisan town hall meeting on Saturday at the Lisle Village Hall, fielding a variety of questions that impact the 24th State Senate District.

Glowiak (D-Western Springs) partnered with legislators representing Lisle to answer questions from a room full of local residents on topics including property tax relief, solving the state’s pension crisis, environmental concerns and fair legislative map redistricting.

“Open forums like this bring people with diverse perspectives together to share input on vital issues that impact our community,” Glowiak said. “I’m honored to serve a district with such active residents that want to work together to make our neighborhoods even better.”

Glowiak was joined by a bipartisan group of legislators that included State Senators John Curran and Laura Ellman and State Representatives Terra Costa Howard and Anne Stava-Murray.

“Government works best when elected officials are in constant communication with constituents,” Glowiak said.

Glowiak urges local residents to stay up-to-date with news in Springfield and the district by signing up for her e-newsletter. She looks forward to hosting additional community events in the coming weeks.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his first budget on Wednesday in Springfield.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is happy to hear proposals for a $375 million increase in K-12 education funding to ensure all schools in DuPage and Cook counties see more state dollars in their classrooms.

“Our schools are finally being funded the right way to help ensure our children receive outstanding educational opportunities without raising property tax bills,” Glowiak said. “I’m happy to see that the state is finally paying its fair share.”

However, the freshman senator has numerous questions about the governor’s pension funding proposals that would restructure pension payments and delay the target date that the state’s pension system is 90 percent funded from 2045 to 2052.

Glowiak, who declined a General Assembly pension herself, does not feel comfortable supporting proposals that will delay vital pension payments.

“Too many governors for too long have kicked the can down the road on our state’s pension obligations,” Glowiak said. “I need further details to decide if I can support a proposal that delays the year we fully fund our pension payments.”

The budget proposal also included plans to close loopholes for big corporate businesses such as Walmart to help the state find $94 million in savings over the next year.

“The State of Illinois is breaking away from President Trump’s big tax breaks for massive corporations,” Glowiak said. “We need to focus on finding savings and helping our local businesses prosper in our communities, not handing big conglomerates tax breaks on the taxpayer’s dime.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) is working to end waste in Springfield.

Glowiak, signed on as a sponsor of legislation that would prohibit appointed short-term legislators from receiving taxpayer-funded stipends.

“This measure will protect taxpayer dollars from being misused and wasted on political insider deals,” Glowiak said. “State dollars should be going toward ensuring our children receive the best education possible, lowering property taxes and funding for programs such as opioid addiction prevention.”

Senate Bill 112, changes the General Assembly Compensation Act so that any member of the General Assembly who is appointed to the House of Representatives or Senate after May 31 of an even-numbered year may not receive additional salary for service as a chairperson or minority spokesperson.

“We need to work in a bipartisan manner to root out waste and abuse at every level of government,” Glowiak said. “I will not sit by idly as political insiders take advantage of taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 112, was filed after news of a recent local appointment made to fill a short-term gap for an outgoing senator not only received base pay, but also an extra stipend to serve ona committee that had no meetings scheduled.

Glowiak hopes there will be bipartisan support for this measure.