OAKBROOK TERRACE– For more than a generation, young people have been discouraged from seeking blue collar jobs in favor of pursuing college degrees. State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) passed a measure to help encourage more job seekers to pursue occupations that ensure safety and modernize Illinois’ infrastructure.

Glowiak championed the Blue Collar Jobs Act, which offers tax incentives to companies making significant capital improvements in Illinois based on the withholding tax paid to construction workers. The program went into effect on July 1, 2019.

"The Blue Collar Jobs Act will lift up middle class families while expanding Illinois' businesses," Glowiak said. "The key to growing our state's economy is creating new jobs, expanding economic opportunities and promoting a business climate that encourages companies to stay, expand and grow in our communities.”

The act creates four new tax credits; High Impact Business construction jobs credit, Enterprise Zone construction jobs credit, New Construction EDGE Credit and the River Edge construction jobs credit. The bipartisan program won the support of labor and business groups

The Blue Collar Jobs Act is similar to the EDGE Tax Credit program, with some of the following features:

• An incremental income tax withholding is offered to High Impact Businesses and businesses in Enterprise Zones and Rivers Edge Areas.
• The credit is larger if the jobs are provided in an underserved area (defined by the EDGE tax regulations).
• The credits to the business (employer) are equal to up to 50% (or in some instances, 75% if the project is in an underserved area) of income tax withheld from construction project contractor and subcontractor employees.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – July is national Youth Preparedness Month, State Senator Suzy Glowiak is urging area residents to take some time to prepare young people for the emergencies and disasters that can happen at any time. 

“This month take the time to account for the unique needs of children,” Glowiak said. “In the unfortunate event there is a natural disaster or an emergency; children should know the steps to take to keep themselves and others safe.”

Youth preparedness programs teach young people the proper steps to remain safe during and after a disaster. Some programs even give young people a seat at the table when it comes to developing recovery plans.

Research has shown prepared children and young adults become positive influences, leaders and become more confident if they are mentally prepared.

“Youth preparedness programs are a great way to help future generations develop resilience and give young people a seat at the table,” Glowiak said.

Glowiak recommends residents visit www.ready.gov/get-involved to learn more.

OAKBROOK TERRACE - A new state task force will focus on giving students the tools to make financially sound decisions thanks to State Senator Suzy Glowiak.

Glowiak supported House Bill 1581 which creates the College Student Credit Card Marketing and Debt Task Force, an eight-member task force that will seek to reduce the amount of credit card debt students face after graduating from higher education institutions in Illinois. It was signed into law on Friday.

“Higher education opens the doors of opportunity for young people,” Glowiak said. “It is vital that as a state we institute policies that allow students to graduate with loads of opportunity, not mountains of debt. They should not be preyed on by credit card companies.”

Opening credit cards can be a life-altering choice for students. While there are legitimate reasons a student may need a credit card, there are many downsides, Glowiak said.

“Tuition, fees and living expenses at Illinois colleges and universities are high enough,” Glowiak said. “It is our duty to find ways to lower the costs of obtaining a college education in Illinois. However, as we explore methods to save costs, we need to make sure we’re looking out for the financial well-being of these young adults.”

Studies have shown that from 2004 to 2008, the average college student card debt rose from $2,169 to $3,173. While making a choice about having a credit card as a student can be difficult, credit card marketing can push students to open credit cards for the wrong reasons.

Credit card companies use marketing strategies such as on-campus marketing, rewards, college affinity cards and college logos on credit cards as effective ploys to get students to register for credit cards.

“We need to equip our students to make smart decisions," Glowiak said. “The goal of this taskforce is to ensure young people are not taken advantage of by big corporations who are attempting to make a profit off of students’ financial inexperience.”

House Bill 1581 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. It went into effect on Friday, June 28, 2019.

OAKBROOK TERRACE – Residents now must be 21 years old to buy tobacco products in Illinois.

State Senator Suzy Glowiak (D-Western Springs) advocated for the passage of “Tobacco 21” (House Bill 345), which raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, prohibiting the purchase of alternative nicotine products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products by individuals under the age of 21. The law is now in effect.

“The dangers of smoking are well-known, but young adults still had access to tobacco products,” Glowiak said. “This new law will help stop addiction at an early age to help save lives.”

In Illinois, 34 jurisdictions have raised the age, including Chicago, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Evanston and Peoria. One of the key benefits to doing so have been documented decreases in the number of high schoolers who smoke. In Chicago, authorities recorded a drop from 13.6 percent in 2011 to 6 percent in 2017. Raising the age was cited as a key component of the decrease. Studies have found 90 percent of all adult smokers started when they were kids.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services it is estimated that each day approximately 2,100 youth and young adults who are occasional smokers become daily smokers.

“Stopping the cycle of addiction will protect our young adults from the numerous early and long-term negative effects of smoking such as early health disease, reductions in lung function, and growth and respiratory problems,” Glowiak said. “Raising the smoking age is a proven method to reduce smoking rates among our teens.”

This measure was supported by the DuPage County Health Department, American Lung Association in Illinois, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association along with many others.