Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) will hold Town Hall Meetings on Thursday, January 12 in Elgin and Wednesday, January 18 in Streamwood to update area residents on new and continuing issues in the Illinois Senate’s upcoming spring session, scheduled to begin January 31, 2012.

Here are the details:

Kane County – Elgin: Thursday, January 12, 2012  7:00 to 9:00 pm
  Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
  Community Rooms A, B & C

Cook County – Streamwood: Wednesday, January 18, 2012   7:00 to 9:00 pm
  Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S Park St, Streamwood, IL 60107
  Meeting Room 1

The public is invited. Senator Noland will provide an update on legislation addressed in the General Assembly’s veto session in Springfield, on those issues that will carry over into the new spring session, and on new and emerging issues.

If you have questions, please call Senator Noland’s office: 847-214-8864.

Senator Michael Noland has been appointed by Senate President John J. Cullerton to serve on the Mental Health Services Strategic Planning Task Force. The Task Force was created by legislation passed by the General Assembly in May and signed by the Governor in August.

"I look forward to this task force getting underway to protect and provide support to those in our state who struggle with mental illness or developmental disabilities," Noland said. "My legislation to create this task force calls for a five-year comprehensive strategic plan to improve state mental health services. I am proud to be involved and to see this moving forward."

Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill today sponsored by State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) that will require someone convicted of manufacturing controlled substances to pay restitution for costs arising from law enforcement and emergency services.

"Those convicted of making and selling controlled substances such as methamphetamines will now be required to pay the costs of investigating and securing a crime scene," Noland said. "Emergency response service units such as police and fire fighters should not have to bear the cost for gathering evidence or securing a meth crime scene, a cost that should not fall back on Illinois taxpayers."

House Bill 1258 was proposed by the Elgin Police Department and the City of Elgin. Expenses incurred by police, fire departments and other agencies to gather evidence or secure a site used to manufacture controlled substances would be collected from a convicted drug dealer. The restitution would be imposed on the offender by a court as a part of the sentencing process.

Elgin Police Officer Chris Jensen testified in Springfield in a May hearing of the Senate Criminal Law Committee. He explained the costs involved in safely collecting evidence and secure sites where controlled substances such as meth are found. Fines collected from the offenders will be distributed among law enforcement agencies under Illinois’ Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

"Our law enforcement agencies resources are very limited and these investigations can cost thousands of dollars," Noland said. "I am grateful to Governor Quinn for supporting this law to provide restitution for our local, county and state agencies that protect our communities from drug dealers. Our state’s economic future depends on safe neighborhoods, and this new law represents an investment in that future."

The Governor also signed House Bill 3033 today, Senator Noland’s bill to provide technical training to city police departments to qualify for and receive federal anti-gang grants from the US Department of Justice. This bill was also an initiative of the Elgin Police Department and the City of Elgin.

"Today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court on the job-creating capital construction program means the bipartisan efforts of the General Assembly will indeed result in an economic boost and improvements to our State’s infrastructure. More construction jobs and the purchase of materials to build these projects are an investment in Illinois’ economic recovery and our future. The Court’s affirmation now means Illinois can take advantage of this construction season with no further delay, and I applaud their decision."

State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) announced Tuesday that Governor Quinn has signed House Bill 1260, Senator Noland’s bill to protect active service members and veterans from utility shut-offs during the winter months.

“As a veteran, I know catching up on obligations after returning from active duty can be financially challenging,” Noland said. “Veterans and their families deserve support in keeping their homes warm while they rebound from financial difficulties related to recent deployment or delays in finding gainful employment after returning home.”

House Bill 1260 would prevent an electric or gas public utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment to a customer who has notified the utility he or she is a service member or veteran. It specifies the utility would not be permitted to stop service if gas or electric is the primary power source of heating the home during winter months.

Under previous law, the prohibition for shutting off service was for military personnel returning from active duty. Now if a residential customer notifies the utility they are a service member or veteran they would not have their electric or gas power disconnected for non-payment of their utility bill from December 1 through March 31.

“As the US continues to deploy a large number of troops abroad, we must continue to address home front issues that challenge our service members and their families locally,” Noland said. “It is important here during the warm month of July to remember that cold weather will one day return.  I hope this new law will lessen one burden on service members in Illinois.”

The Governor signed House Bill 1260, now Public Act 097-0077, on July 3.

Website gives public access to review proposed legislative boundaries

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, the Illinois Senate Redistricting Committee released a redistricting proposal for public review. State Senator Michael Noland (D–Elgin), who serves as vice-chairman of the committee, responded to today’s release by encouraging the public to view the proposal at Website gives public access to review proposed legislative boundaries www.ilSenateRedistricting.com or www.IllinoisSenateDemocrats.com

State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) passed three bills through the Illinois Senate this week that focus on helping vulnerable citizens of Illinois, including veterans, children with disabilities, and recipients of mental health and substance abuse services.

House Bill 1260 would prevent an electric or gas public utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment to a customer who has notified the utility he or she is a service member or veteran. It specifies the utility would not be permitted to stop service if gas or electric is the primary power source of heating the home during winter months.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill –Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) today helped pass legislation allowing Illinois counties to produce and sell renewable energy if local voters approve creation of a Renewable Energy Production District.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) rallied the State Senate to override Governor Quinn’s veto of Senate Bill 2499. If the House follows suit, Elgin U-46 will be eligible to receive millions of dollars more from the State next year.

SPRINGFIELD, IL— State Sen. Michael Noland’s (D-Elgin) goal of placing Illinois at the forefront of renewable energy is moving ahead at full speed, now that Governor Quinn signed two new legislative initiatives into law today. Both Noland bills are designed to promote the use of solar energy in Illinois.