SPRINGFIELD — A plan to help workers who have been exposed to toxic substances passed the Senate Wednesday.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) sponsored the bill, which helps workers who have developed latent illnesses or injuries after coming in contact with asbestos, radiation or beryllium in the workplace.  

“For far too long, employees have suffered from bad workplace conditions with no source of relief,” Sims said. “Many times symptoms do not manifest until 30 to 50 years after exposure. We must end the statute of limitations and ensure their right to recovery.”

The Workers’ Compensation Act and Workers’ Occupational Disease Act currently have 25-year statutes of limitations, SB 1596 would create exceptions to these rules for cases of exposure to toxic substances.

“The law as it stands is inhumane and often a death sentence for people diagnosed with serious illnesses who aren’t given the proper time to take care of their poor health,” Sims said. “I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for supporting this plan to help employee victims throughout the state.”

SB 1596 passed the Senate 41-16 and now heads to the House for consideration.

CHICAGO—A new plan to expand the state’s film production tax credit could make Illinois more of a national leader in the film and television industry.

State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr., a Democrat from Chicago, stood with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. JB Pritzker to discuss record-breaking numbers in film, television and media production in the city of Chicago.

“I am proud of Chicago’s growth in media production, but I know we have the ability to be even more competitive nationally,” Sims said. “For that reason, I am working on legislation to expand the film tax credit to help our state more aggressively attract production companies.”

Sims sponsors Senate Bill 1595, which changes the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act to allow the first $200,000 of out-of-state wages paid or acquired by production companies to qualify for the film production services tax credit.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and local leaders, so we can break even more records in film, TV and media production,” said Sims.

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr., a Chicago Democrat, released the following statement in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s first budget address on Wednesday:

“The governor’s budget proposal represents a reasonable and responsible first step on a path toward financial stability, while addressing the fiscal challenges left in the wake of his predecessor’s manufactured budget crisis.

“This plan prioritizes a quality education for our young people by increasing funding for Pre-K-12 education, which is crucial to ensure that students all over the state have the resources they need to succeed.

“It also helps low-income students further their education by investing more in MAP grants and the AIM HIGH Grant Program.

“While investing more in community-based programs is a good start to ending the senseless violence that we unfortunately see all too often, we have much more work to do to address the underlying issues driving violence and making a real impact in communities across our state.

“I look forward to working with the Governor, his administration and my colleagues to pass a full, balanced budget by the end of this legislative session.”

SPRINGFIELD—Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour was signed into law on Tuesday.

“Today is a historic day for working families throughout our state,” Sims said. “One that puts us on the path to providing a wage to match the rising cost of a family’s basic needs.”

Senate Bill 1 will raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2025. The gradual implementation and a payroll tax credit is meant to help businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees adjust.

The minimum wage has been $8.25 since 2010. The first increase will be on Jan. 1, 2020 to $9.25.

“As state leaders, it is our responsibility to provide economic stability to the people of Illinois,” Sims said. “I commend Gov. Pritzker for signing this legislation, so we can finally take a step toward addressing the issue of income inequality by helping to improve the lives of hard-working individuals throughout our state."