OAK PARK – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) praised Illinois’ move to become the 16th state to allow same-sex marriage.

“With this law, gay and lesbian residents of Illinois move much closer to having the same rights as everyone else in the state,” Harmon said. “This day has been a long time coming, but I know the hard work to get here has been worth it for many loving couples and their supporters.”

Senator Harmon has a long history of supporting LGBT rights. The first year he served in the Senate, he co-sponsored legislation to prohibit discriminating against people based on their sexual orientation. After many twists and turns, protections for LGBT residents were added to the Human Rights Act in 2005.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement on same-sex marriage passing the General Assembly:

“I am proud to vote today to grant a basic freedom to our friends and neighbors. I believe that all couples in loving, committed relationships should be able to declare, with pride and dignity, that they are married.”

The governor has already committed to signing Senate Bill 10 into law.

Sen. Don Harmon asks IDOT, CTA to address Village questions, concerns

Oak Park – State Senator Don Harmon announced today that Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider will appear at an October 29 town hall meeting he is convening to discuss the planned Eisenhower Expressway / I-290 reconstruction project. A top CTA official also will participate.

The town hall, to be held at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School from 7:30-9:00 p.m., will provide the community an opportunity to hear directly from Schneider, appointed IDOT Secretary in October 2011 by Governor Pat Quinn. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the agency’s proposed alternatives for reconfiguring lanes along a stretch of the Eisenhower between Racine Avenue and Mannheim Road.

IDOT has said it will choose a final “preferred” alternative by late 2014, and then begin detailed engineering leading to construction within the next few years. The CTA is conducting its own study of potential improvements to the Blue Line along the same transportation corridor. IDOT held public meetings on the project Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 in Chicago and Forest Park, and is accepting formal public comments on the information presented at those meetings until November 7 at http://eisenhowerexpressway.com.

In honor of the new law designating the first Saturday of each month “Eat Local, Buy Illinois Products Day,” Senator Don Harmon met with local groups at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market.   

“This law should bring a new and well-deserved appreciation for all the wonderful food grown in Illinois and available in our community,” Harmon said.  “Buying local and shopping at farmers markets like this one can go a long way toward helping families make healthy choices, protecting the environment and supporting Illinois’ farming families. It gives us a chance each week to connect with friends and neighbors.”  

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, if every household in Illinois spent just $10 of their grocery bill each week on Illinois products, we would reinvest $47 million in the Illinois economy, resulting in a $2.4 billion investment over the course of a year.  People identify Illinois with corn and soybeans, but pumpkins, melons, horseradish and peaches are just a few of the specialty crops grown on farms in our state.   In 2010, these crops alone resulted in over $390 million in sales. 

New law frees landowners from fear of lawsuits

OAK PARK – For years, Illinois landowners were able to let people onto their land, free of charge, to enjoy rivers, lakes, forest, cliffs, canyons and other natural wonders. A 2005 court decision changed all that. It said that you could be held legally responsible for anyone on your land. Prompted by the possibility of lawsuits, the owners of many popular outdoor areas closed up shop.

All that is set to change now, due to a new law that reverses the 2005 decision and frees landowners from fear of lawsuits. Natural sites throughout the state will reopen for climbers, kayakers, bird watchers, hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts.

“The sad fact is that both the state and federal government have been forced to cut back conservation spending,” said State Senator Don Harmon, the Oak Park Democrat who sponsored the law. “It’s more important than ever to allow generous landowners and non-profit groups to provide the public access to our state’s beautiful natural spaces.”