Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins News

Senator Jacqueline Collins Introduces Extension of Lottery Game to Fund Fight Against HIV/AIDS (VIDEO)

Written by Collins Staff Wednesday, 08 February 2012 06:53

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16^th) has introduced legislation that will allow Illinoisans to continue to play the Quality of Life scratch-off lottery game after the end of 2012. The “Red Ribbon Cash” game has raised over $2.4 million for prevention education and treatment. If Senate Bill 2971 becomes law, it will continue to fund the fight against HIV/AIDS for five additional years.

“Four years after the legislature voted to fund organizations on the front lines of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, the number of new infections has decreased nationwide, but this devastating disease is still ravaging vulnerable communities, particularly minority women,” Sen. Collins said. “The proceeds from the Quality of Life scratch-off game are helping non-profits save and prolong lives in the populations with the highest risk and we should allow these groups to continue their vital work.”

In Illinois, 53.4 percent of new AIDS diagnoses in 2009 were among African-American residents, although only 14.5 percent of Illinois’ total population is black. More than four times as many African-American women are living with HIV in Illinois as white women, and three out of four women in Illinois diagnosed with HIV in 2009 were black.

Tags:

Sen. Collins urges follow-through on Quinn’s plan to alleviate housing crisis

Written by Collins Staff Thursday, 02 February 2012 16:34

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16^th) was pleased to hear Governor Quinn, in his State of the State Address, express his commitment to two priorities she shares: helping people stay in their homes, and protecting neighborhoods from falling home values caused by poorly-maintained vacant properties. Sen. Collins is the chief sponsor of legislation that would enable municipalities to hold lenders responsible for the upkeep of properties in foreclosure once the occupants have relocated.

“Despite some recovery in the housing market, property values remain low in many neighborhoods because of the prevalence of abandoned, unsafe, and poorly-maintained buildings,” Sen. Collins said. “I look forward to working with the governor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and other state and community leaders to stop the cycle of home loss and falling home values.”

Sen. Collins attends youth joblessness forum

Written by Collins Staff Tuesday, 24 January 2012 16:44

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) participated earlier today in a hearing on the crisis of youth joblessness in Illinois. The Chicago Urban League sponsored the event, which featured the presentation of several new studies of regional and state unemployment, as well as a group of teenagers and young adults who shared their experiences with joblessness. Elected officials, including three other state senators and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, were invited to listen as the speakers testified to the challenges of starting out in the workforce.

Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins stands with First Lady Michelle Obama and Mayor Rahm Emanuel in support of Fresh Foods

Written by J. Collins Staff Thursday, 27 October 2011 12:49

CHICAGO – State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins’ joined First Lady Michelle Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel when they visited her district Tuesday to discuss the importance of local access to fresh foods. For years Senator Collins has been a strong advocate for the eradication of "food deserts" throughout Illinois, especially in impoverished neighborhoods.

Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins joins Derrick Rose for Restoration Project in West Englewood

Written by J. Collins Staff Thursday, 29 September 2011 14:08

CHICAGO –State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) pitched in with Chicago Bulls star point guard, Derrick Rose, as he dedicated restorations at Murray Park in West Englewood this week. Rose first developed his basketball skills in West Englewood and Senator Collins currently represents the community.

On Tuesday, Rose, Collins and others surprised area youth with the dedication of new hoops, resurfaced courts and other improvements. Rose also held a basketball clinic for about 100 youth.

Collins Bill to Regulate Process Servers and Protect Illinoisans becomes Law

Written by Collins Staff Thursday, 18 August 2011 14:16

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) sponsored legislation to strengthen regulations of process servers — those that deliver (or serve) legal documents to a defendant or an individual involved in a court case. Governor Pat Quinn signed the legislation, Senate Bill 2069, into law Tuesday. The measure, which is designed to protect Illinoisans, stipulates that private detective agencies who serve process must provide a copy of their license to the county sheriff in each of the counties which they operate.