Senator John Mulroe News

The Illinois Senate took steps to end the much-scrutinized legislative scholarship program by passing legislation through the Senate this afternoon to abolish the tuition waiver program this afternoon.

Illinois Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), a co-sponsor of the measure, said the decision was a step in the right direction to restore integrity and accountability to state government.

“The only way we can restore faith in government is by ending the reckless and abusive policies of the past,” Mulroe said. “Too many legislators have used this program for their own benefit and it’s gotten to a point that’s beyond repair. I look forward to putting this distraction behind us and focusing on balancing the budget.”

Currently, state senators and representatives are permitted to award free tuition at Illinois’ public universities for up to eight students from their district each year. The public universities they attend are forced to absorb the cost of their tuition, and this expense can get passed on to other students in the form of tuition increases.

However, a number of media stories have reported abuses of the tuition waiver program, including some legislators giving scholarships to children and relatives of campaign donors.

House Bill 3810 would put an end to the program permanently and create a task force to review and evaluate tuition waiver programs offered by state universities.

“It’s important that we give prosecutors the tools they need to put away criminals rightfully charged with child pornography offenses.” – State Senator John G. Mulroe

Illinois Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) advanced legislation through the Senate Criminal Law committee this week that aims to remove certain barriers associated with prosecuting individuals facing child pornography charges.

“It’s important that we give prosecutors the tools they need to put away criminals rightfully charged with child pornography offenses. This legislation is a solid step in that direction and I look forward to working on enhancing public safety and keeping criminals off our streets,” Mulroe said. 

Prosecutors have run into issues when charging child pornography offenders because they must prove that the victim depicted was at least 13 years old, but under 18. Mulroe’s bill removes the additional element from a child pornography prosecution, while maintaining heightened penalties if the child depicted is less than 13 years of age.

House Bill 5235 removes the two separate offenses of aggravated child pornography and child pornography and creates a single offense for the crime.

Mulroe is also sponsoring House Bill 5280 to establish tougher penalties on sex offenders charged with luring a minor.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Park districts in Illinois will soon be able to expand criminal background checks for potential hires if a bill sponsored by Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) passes the General Assembly.  The measure was voted out of the Senate today and now heads to the House floor for consideration.

Currently, park districts are only able to perform criminal background checks for adult convictions for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and other specified serious crimes.  Senate Bill 3809 will also allow the park districts to check juvenile court convictions for the same offenses.  The measure has the support of the Illinois Association of Park Districts as well as several park districts around the state.

Read more: Mulroe bill allows broader criminal background checks for potential park employees

CHICAGO, IL – Like many other high school students in the Chicago area, the students from Ms. Lenihan’s political science class at Resurrection High School are using this holiday season to raise awareness, and money for a cause that’s important to them. Only rather than raising money for their local food bank, or contributing volunteer time to a shelter, the students at Resurrection High School are attempting to inform and educate their fellow peers, and citizens about the importance of bipartisan effort in Congress – and in life.

Read more: Local High School Raises Awareness of Bipartisan Importance