SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura passed a measure through the Senate that would move the state toward lower emissions, improve air quality throughout Illinois and require newly purchased state-owned vehicles to be zero emission.

“We cannot afford to delay transitioning to zero-emission vehicles,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “With this legislation, Illinois will not only save money in the long run, but will also protect the environment.”

Highway vehicles release about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year — mostly in the form of carbon dioxide — which contribute to the global climate crisis. Roughly five to nine tons of greenhouse gases are burned each year for a typical vehicle according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Ventura’s measure aims to lower the state’s overall emissions by addressing the pollutants released into the air by vehicle emissions, which have a direct impact on the environment.

Under Senate Bill 1769, passenger vehicles purchased or leased by the state must either be a manufactured zero-emission vehicle or converted into a zero-emission vehicle with the exception of law enforcement vehicles and vehicles procured by IDOT as part of their consolidated vehicle procurement program by 2030. Currently 13 other states have adopted similar zero-emission vehicle requirements, Minnesota being the only other Midwestern state to do so.

“This is just one step toward mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis. Illinois continues to lead other states, but there is more work to do,” said Ventura. “Going forward, the state needs to create a reliable electrical grid to support the increased demand of electrification, incentivize carbon-free energy production, and expand and restore natural carbon capture methods.”

Senate Bill 1769 passed the Senate on Wednesday and heads to the governor.

JOLIET – State Senator Rachel Ventura joined Governor JB Pritzker to announce the expansion of I-80, a move that will lead to safer commutes, more jobs and greater economic development, at a press conference Wednesday morning in Joliet.

“Unchecked warehouse expansion in and around Joliet has made our interstates unsafe. The governor's proposed interstate expansion will decrease traffic congestion and improve safety issues on I-80,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Locally, this stretch of I-80 is known as ‘the death highway.’ I hope this expansion improves traffic safety so we can move on from the stretch of the highway's dangerous past.”

Project improvements include:

• Pavement reconstruction with full shoulders throughout the 16-mile corridor
• Addition of auxiliary lanes between the busiest interchanges to allow more length for drivers to enter and exit the travel lanes
• Wider shoulders to better accommodate vehicle breakdowns and first responders
• More than 35 bridge rehabilitations and replacements, including replacement of the Des Plaines River bridges

“The excessive truck traffic in and out of the inland port also deteriorates local roadways and forces local taxpayers to pay for perpetual repairs,” said Ventura. “I will continue to push legislation that creates a permanent infrastructure budget around inland ports as we continue to see the rise of internet sales and a decrease in local brick-and-mortar sales revenues.”

For additional information on the I-80 expansion, visit I80will.org.

BOLINGBROOK – State Senator Rachel Ventura released the following statement after the tentative agreement between United Auto Workers and General Motors, ending a seven week strike that took part in Bolingbrook:

“The deal struck will not only increase pay for employees, but also solidify that temporary workers would be made permanent full-time workers after a few months on the job. Further, it calls for better retirement benefits for all.

“I have been a staunch advocate for unions and will continue to fight for our working class, as they are the backbone of what makes our country succeed. This strike was hard fought and one of the longest U.S. auto strikes in the past 25 years, showcasing UAW’s determination for better benefits and pay.

“I am from a proud union family and seeing this tentative agreement one step closer to being finalized is a victory for hardworking middle class families across the district, state and country.”

JOLIET – To mark Illinois becoming the first state to eliminate the use of money bond, State Senator Rachel Ventura, alongside the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice and numerous Joliet officials and organizers, held a press conference at the Will County Courthouse Monday. Ventura made the following comments during her speech.

“For two years, Illinois has been preparing to implement the Pretrial Fairness Act,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and public defenders from across the state all played a role in creating the framework for the end of money bond and worked together to guide implementation. There should be no excuses when it comes to properly implementing this law.”

Under the old pretrial system, the amount of money someone had determined whether they were released — not whether they pose a threat to someone else or are likely to flee prosecution. On Sept. 18, Illinois’ outdated system — which allowed anyone in jail who could afford to make bail to be released pending trial — came to an end.

The Pretrial Fairness Act was upheld as constitutional by the state’s highest court on July 18, ensuring the end of money bond and implementation of a fairer legal system based on safety, not wealth, won’t be delayed any further.

“Being poor is not a crime and should never be the sole reason a person remains incarcerated as they await their trial,” said Ventura. “Today is a positive step forward, yet there are many more fights that must happen to close the wealth gap – and that starts with investing in root causes of crime.”

To learn more about cash bail ending, visit hb3653.org and to watch the press conference live watch here.