"Under The Dome"

Representative Sims' Weekly Update

Legislative Update

As your representative in Springfield, part of my duty is to keep you updated and abreast of legislation that will effect you and our community. My goal is to improve the quality of our schools, make our commu nities more safe and improve the economic and job climate of our neighborhoods and state. We are approaching the midway point of the Spring 2017 legislative session, so I am providing you with an update on several of the legislative measures I am currently working on:

Education

HB 3368

Requires the State Board of Education to create model curriculum for use by school districts with secondary schools for the teaching of entrepreneur skills. Requires the State Board to encourage the input of business groups and universities in the creation of the model curriculum.

HB 3369

Requires the State Board of Education to establish guidelines for the creation of a high-skilled manufacturing curriculum to be used in vocational education programs.

HB 3370

Creates the Affordable College Financing Pilot Program Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to implement and administer a pilot program to provide loans to 400 eligible students to attend State universities.

HB 3371

Provides that required training in suicide awareness and prevention techniques for school guidance counselors, teachers, school social workers, and other school personnel shall last at least 2 hours. Allows the State Board of Education to by rule provide for the training to be included as a continuing professional development requirement under the Code. The bill recently passed the House Elementary & Secondary Education: Licensing, Administration & Oversight committee and is on Second Reading in the Illinois House.

HB 3372

Requires the State Board of Education to establish, or contract with a third party to establish, a Safe2Tell program to allow the anonymous reporting of information regarding potential threats to students.

HJRCA 27

Requires the State to provide for an adequately funded system of high quality public educational institutions and services.

Economic Development

HB 3360

Creates the Community Renewal and Revitalization Act. Provides for the qualifications for and designation of Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Empowerment (HOPE) Zones. Provides for a HOPE Zone tax credit and other credits and benefits going to businesses operating in HOPE Zones.

HB 3362

Creates the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop an economic plan to assist businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states.

Criminal Justice Reform

HB 3337

Increases the threshold amount of theft not from the person and retail theft that enhances the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony to $2,000. Provides that an enhancement from a misdemeanor to a felony based on a prior conviction must only be for felony theft.

HB 3342

Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to consider certain mitigating factors and evidence of rehabilitation for certain applicants of licenses, certificates, and registrations.

HB 3717

Reforms our state's monetary bail system. This bill seeks to keep nonviolent offenders out of jail and to keep dangerous criminals incapacitated so they are not a threat to themselves or others.

Please participate in the legislative process by contacting legislators across the state and asking them to support and co-sponsor these legislative measures that will provide for better schools, more jobs and increased opportunities in our communities. With your help we will be able to move Illinois forward, TOGETHER!!!

For more information on all of the bills I am sponsoring or information on the legislative process please click HERE.

Yours in continued friendship and service,

Upcoming Events

Employers can click here to reserve a table!

In The 34th District

Sims sponsors Viewing & Discussion of "13th"

Myself, along with the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church community, had the pleasure of sponsoring a viewing and discussion of "13th" - a documentary by Ava DuVernay discussing the effects of the 13th Amendment and the Prison Industrial Complex on our communities.

Thank you to DuSable Museum CEO/President Perri Irmer for moderating an awesome event and thank you to Reverend Thurston for hosting. #greatthingshappeninginhd34

Sims delivers Keynote Address for

Cassius L. Rudolph Scholarship Fund & Luncheon

I was honored to deliver the keynote address for the 2017 Cassius L. Rudolph Scholarship Fund & Luncheon. I spoke to the theme, "Answering the clarion call to serve: The importance of helping our young people go to College." Gaining an education is the best way our children will be able to succeed and it is our duty to encourage that success.

The Cassius L. Rudolph Scholarship Fund was established to recognize and reward deserving graduating high-school seniors from Harlan Community Academy pursuing a high school diploma with the intent to pursue an undergraduate degree at Tougaloo College. I'm proud to serve Harlan Community Academy High School here in the 34th District. #OurChildrenOurFuture

Want an opportunity to learn about government and work hands-on with the community?Our office is seeking to bring on interns for this Spring and the Summer seasons.

We are seeking High School Juniors and Seniors and Undergraduate College Students.

We are seeking interns for:

Program Planning/Management

Research

Constituent/Resident Services

Community Events

Clerical Management

This is an unpaid internship. If interested, please email your resume ASAP to [email protected] with the subject "SPRING/SUMMER INTERNSHIP"

Community Events and Information

Village of South Holland E-Waste Collection

Saturday, March 25, 2017

8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Rear parking lot of the South Holland Public Library

16250 Wausau Avenue

South Holland, IL

Electronic waste, or "e-waste", is known as old electronic devices that are broken, outdated, discarded, or at the end of the useful life. This includes cell phones, laptops, desktop computers, monitors, tablets, PDAs, televisions, printers, fax machines, scanners, and many other electronic devices.

2017 E-Waste Collection is scheduled 8 a.m. to noon on the fourth Saturday in March, July, and October in the rear parking lot of the South Holland Public Library.

Important VOCA Grant Information

COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FUNDING ELIGIBILITY AND FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

ICJIA is now accepting applications for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding to support Comprehensive Legal Assistance Programs.

The Comprehensive Legal Assistance Programs funding opportunity is open to public and non-profit agencies whose primary mission is to provide legal assistance services through the use of attorneys. Eligible agencies must incorporate victim advocates to complement the work of the attorneys, either as direct staff or via a subcontract with a victim service agency.

Agencies that offer legal advocacy but whose primary missions are something other than providing legal assistance services are not eligible. Organizations providing law enforcement-based victim/witness services are not eligible.

Agencies interested in funding to support legal advocacy, victim/witness programs, or any other victim service are encouraged to review this memo on future funding opportunities.

VOCA funding cannot be used for any criminal defense, tort actions, or active investigation or prosecution of criminal activities.

Click here for application materials, funding eligibility, and other information.

34th District Spotlight

Local Principal named

"Illinois Elementary School Principal of the Year"

It is with great privilege and honor that on behalf the 34th District I congratulate Dr. Michelle R. Willis, Principal of Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School, on being named the Illinois Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association.

Dr. Willis makes history by being the first Chicago Public School principal ever to be named Illinois Elementary School Principal of the Year! She also received the West-Cook Regional Award earlier this year.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Michelle R. Willis and the entire Gillespie community!

Scholarship Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

ILLINOIS TOLLWAY IS HIRING!

Traffic Permit Technician ($12.29 /Hour) Deadline to apply 3/20/17

· High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is required.

· Excellent written and oral communications skills are required.

· Ability to work with the public in a professional manner.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required.

· Must pass a typing test with 40 WPM in order to qualify for an interview.

Utility Technician ($23.07 /Hour) Deadline to apply 3/20/17

· College degree in engineering or a high school degree and ten (10) years of experience in a construction related field.

· Prior experience evaluating design and construction schedules, costs feasibility, as well as recommendations for changes and approvals.

· Ability to read and understand engineering plans including profiles and cross-sections.

· Good composition and writing skills in order to generate concise, objective and meaningful correspondence.

· Good organizational skills to keep track of several concurrent projects.

· Ability to work independently, be assertive, be capable of controlling field inspections and enforcing the Authority's policies and procedures.

Employee Benefits Manager ($70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Annually) Deadline to apply 3/21/17

· Education/Experience: 5+ years' experience (including a Supervisory role) in benefits management, retirement planning, workers comp and risk management.

· Bachelor's degree in the area of HR, Business, or other relevant field is required.

· Master's Degree preferred. PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Certification preferred; CEBS Certification a plus.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of management and staff and with external clients.

· Capability to effectively plan and set priorities.

· Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously, while working under pressure to meet deadlines, while paying close attention to detail and accuracy.

· Knowledge of pertinent federal and state regulations with regards to benefits administration, including ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, DOL and other industry legislation.

· A working knowledge of health and welfare plans, with demonstrated ability to explain, apply and understand analysis techniques, benefit plan design and employee benefit laws.

· Experience designing, developing or implementing employment benefit, health, retirement and wellness programs & policies in partnership with senior management, utilizing extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

· Superior organizational, project/process management and technical skills as demonstrated by an ability to manage multiple detailed projects and drive towards deadlines.

· A collaborative leader who is confident and assertive in style, but respectful of others; Team-oriented with the ability to build deep relationships and earn the respect of others.

· Ability to exercise discretion and professionalism when handling highly confidential and sensitive information.

For additional Employment Opportunities please check our website RepElgieSims34.com under "Job Announcements"