SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve legislation that will raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 an hour:

“Working wages have not kept up with inflation over the past several decades. The ‘American dream’ of being able to provide for a family by working 40 hours a week is not a reality with the current minimum wage.

“I am proud that Illinois is now a leader in ensuring the hard-working families in our state earn a living wage.”

Senate Bill 1 passed the Senate 39-18 and heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – The Oak Park Park District will receive $400,000 to renovate Stevenson Park, State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) announced today.

The money comes from a grant that is part of the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program is providing more than $28 million to support 87 park projects across the state.

“Our parks are a wonderful resource, accessible to everyone in our communities,” Harmon said. “I am proud of all of the vibrant park districts in the 39th District and glad the Oak Park Park District has secured state support to continue its commitment to serve the people of Oak Park.”

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $419.4 million in 1,765 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

For more information about Stevenson Park, visit www.pdop.org.

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning today, Jan. 31, the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program will begin accepting patients, allowing patients over the age of 21 prescribed opioids temporary access to medical cannabis as an alternative treatment.

The program was created by Senate Bill 336, the Alternatives to Opioids Act, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and signed into law in August 2018.

“Medical cannabis is proven to be a safe, effective alternative to treat conditions for which opioids are often prescribed,” Harmon said. “I am hopeful that this program will help stem the tide of the devastating opioid crisis in our state.”

Under the program, patients will obtain a physician’s certification that they have a condition for which an opioid could be prescribed. They may then take that to a dispensary to receive medical cannabis for a fixed period of time.

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s rules regulating the program can be found on their website at www.dph.illinois.gov.

SPRINGFIELD – Homeowners and small businesses in suburban Cook County will see decreases in their property tax bills under a new state grant program that seeks to provide relief to school districts in highly taxed areas.

The Property Tax Relief Grant was included in the historic school funding reform law that has already provided millions of dollars in new state funds to school districts that need it the most. In the first year alone, the 39th Senate District received more than $8 million in additional state funding.

“Property taxes place a disproportionate burden on families living in school districts with constrained property wealth,” State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said. “Every child deserves an equal chance at a quality education, and I am glad we are able to offer a break for some of these families.”

Two local school districts will be eligible for the tax relief grant, including:

• Oak Park & River Forest District 200: $3,754,030.60
• Leyden Community High School District 212: $5,053,448.82

In order to receive the state grant, eligible school districts must submit an abatement resolution to their county clerks by March 30. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will then distribute the grants once receiving all abatement certificates.

More information on the Property Tax Relief Grant and a listing of each eligible school district can be found at www.ISBE.net/proptaxrelief.