Chicago – Today Senator Collins reacted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency impending closure of emission testing sites in Chicago.

“As of November 1, the last two remaining auto emissions testing facilities in Chicago will close. The closure of these facilities in Chicago creates added stress for residents by extending commutes to testing facilities outside of the city. In addition, residents facing financial hardship will be burdened by the mileage required to reach auto emissions facilities. Maintaining these facilities is beneficial for Chicago residents.”

CHICAGO — State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th) stood with   Governor Pat Quinn and other high-ranking officials on Saturday to announce the building of a new South Side Metra stop on the Rock Island Line. This project is the culmination of a 5-year effort in which Senator Collins lobbied, fought and advocated for the $21.5 million in state capital funds. “The people of Auburn Gresham and adjoining communities deserve this opportunity; the opportunity for job creation, community engagement and economic development,“ said Collins.

Located on 79th Street, the Auburn Park station will connect Metra’s Rock Island Line to the busy 79th Street bus route. The 79th Street bus line is the city’s busiest, and the project will finally connect this vital transit artery via Metra to points north, south and southwest.

“The Auburn Park Metra station will be more than an added convenience to commuters. This station holds the promise of economic rebirth for this area and it is a crucial step in the direction of equalizing infrastructure investment across all our communities,” said Collins.

Construction of the station is expected to begin in the spring of 2015. Metra’s Rock Island District Line extends from LaSalle Street in Chicago to Joliet. “Access to transit and economic development are two of the catalysts needed for continued recovery in the neighborhoods I represent,” Collins said. “It is always an honor to serve as a voice for my communities, and I have high hopes for this exciting investment we have secured.”

Other partners and supporters included Alderman Latasha Thomas (17th Ward), Rev. Michael L. Pfleger (Faith Community of St. Sabina), Carlos Nelson (Greater Auburn Gresham CDC), Representatives Mary. E. Flowers (D31) and Andre Thapedi (D32) and Congressman Bobby Rush.

This year, we made it easier and safer for expectant mothers to stay in the workforce and provide for their growing families before and after they give birth. Signed into law last week, House Bill 8 prohibits employers from discriminating against their pregnant employees and requires them to grant reasonable accommodations to work schedules and duties to keep women and their babies healthy.

I am proud of my colleague Sen. Toi Hutchinson for fighting for women's health care and economic rights.

Group to study racial disparities, language barriers, urban/rural divide and more

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago 16th) is optimistic that a new task force convened to consider racial and cultural disparities in care for older adults will improve options for an aging population that is increasingly diverse. She also anticipates that the group will keep the spotlight on long-term care after well-publicized cases of abuse and neglect inspired a major overhaul of state nursing home regulations in 2010.

“One of the primary motivations for the nursing home reforms I helped pass was a study showing a wide gap in quality of care between nursing homes whose residents were mostly white and those whose population was disproportionately made up of racial and ethnic minorities,” said Collins, who sponsored legislation creating the new working group. “We need to investigate whether the situation has improved, whether there are similar disparities in other kinds of support services for seniors and what we can do now to safeguard the dignity of all older Illinoisans, regardless of race, language, neighborhood or income.”

The Long-Term Services and Supports Disparities Task Force, whose authorizing legislation was signed into law last Friday, will bring together consumers, advocates and representatives of nursing homes and service providers to compile findings and recommended state actions to reduce unequal care. The task force has been directed to look at residential nursing homes but also assisted living facilities, adult day cares, home health services and other kinds of supports for seniors. The group’s first annual report is due July 1, 2015.

“We owe our elders the respect that comes with skilled nursing care, culturally competent assistance and the assurance that whether they are black, white or brown, living in the urban core or a rural area, they will receive high-quality, compassionate care,” Collins said. “This task force is not designed to be a temporary bandage, issuing one report and then dissolving; it will continue to meet and to exert pressure on behalf of individuals whose voices are too rarely heard.”