ALTON – To continue their efforts to protect elders, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) and state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) are partnering with the Attorney General’s office to connect residents with fraud prevention information.

“It’s a critical time to inform seniors on current scammer’s tricks and schemes,” Crowe said. “Everyone can benefit from learning how to protect themselves from scams and understanding new financial regulations to protect hard-earned savings.”

Crowe is also a member of a new state task force she created to study elder abuse and laws that protect seniors.

The event will be at Senior Services Plus in Alton at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 starting at 10 AM.

For more information, call Crowe’s office at (618) 251-9840.

SPRINGFIELD – Public school teachers in Illinois will see higher salaries thanks to an initiative cosponsored by State Senator Rachelle Crowe signed into law today.

“We trust our teachers to not only influence our future leaders, but monitor their safety and home life while guiding them throughout the formative years of their lives,” Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) said. “Why should the people equal to such tasks want to work for us if we’re not paying them a respectable wage?”

Under House Bill 2078, the state would update the minimum mandated salary for teachers annually over four years, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. After that, subject to review by the General Assembly, it would be increased according to the Consumer Price Index. The phase-in would look like this under the proposal:

• •$32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year;
• •$34,576 for the 2021-2022 school year;
• •$37,076 for the 2022-2023 school year; and
• •$40,000 for the 2023-2024 school year;

Illinois has not updated its minimum teacher salary since 1980. Since that time, state statute has mandated that Illinois school districts pay teachers with a bachelor’s degree a minimum of only $10,000.

The measure will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

GLEN CARBON – State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is announcing three grants awarded in Madison County to construct additional paths for Metro East bikers on popular routes.

“I applaud Illinois for using these funds to increase construction jobs in our communities while creating more safe space for our bikers and families to enjoy the outdoors,” Crowe said. “These investments show our state’s commitment to attract local recreation opportunities while boosting the economy.”

A grant for Edwardsville totaling $150,000 will be used to construct a 1,100-foot path between the intersections of Terra Verda Drive to IL Route 159 at Plum Street and North to the intersection of West Magnolia Street. Construction will expand upon the existing shared-use path located along the eastern side of IL Route 159.

Madison County Transit was also awarded two grants equaling $385,000. One of the two grants, totaling $185,000, will be used to connect 15.5-mile MCT Schoolhouse Trail to Maryville Pleasant Ridge Park.

The other grant, equaling $200,000 will be used to renovate a 1.2-mile segment of the Nickel Plate Trail beginning at IL Route 143 and ending at Peradotti Road.

“Bike path projects are excellent investments in safe transportation, creating jobs, boosting local economic development efforts, and improving local and regional recreation opportunities,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Trails are great places for bike riders, hikers, joggers and families to enjoy spending time outdoors in our beautiful state.”

Funds for these projects come from the Bicycle Path Grant Program administered by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These grants are intended for the acquisition of land or development of facilities for bicycle paths. The Bicycle Path Grant Program was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 1989, and funding comes from a percentage of motor vehicle title fees.

Combined with previous years’ funding, IDNR has awarded grants that have helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bicycle trails in Illinois since 1990.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure that imposes stricter penalties on distracted drivers who cause a fatal accident and flee the scene without reporting it championed by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) was signed into law last week.

“Fleeing the scene of an accident is irresponsible, potentially fatal for an injured person at the scene and can slow down the efforts of investigators. We have to discourage it,” Crowe said.

Crowe’s measure adds an aggravating factor to sentencing considerations for those who cause an accident by being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or distracted by an electronic communication device and then flee the scene.

Senator Crowe and the Madison County’s State’s Attorney’s Office partnered up to shape this legislation to ensure justice for victims and their loved ones.

“Our office sees the devastation a family goes through after losing a loved one unexpectedly in a car accident, and then as it worsens when justice isn’t served to the driver who refused to report the crash,” said Crystal Uhe, Madison County First Assistant State’s Attorney. “Sen. Crowe worked tirelessly with us to craft this measure to address this growing issue, and we couldn’t be more proud to have a hand bringing those accountable to their consequences.”

Aggravating factors can influence a court’s decision to include an imprisoning sentence or increase the chance for a more severe sentence.

Senate Bill 1750 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.