CHICAGO– State Senator Jacqueline Collins was honored Thursday evening with Woodstock Institute’s Scheinfeld Award for her work to protect consumers, promote economic opportunity and advance financial justice.

The Institute recognized Collins for her efforts to pass the new historic Illinois Community Reinvestment Act and the Predatory Loan Prevention Act this past year. Both pieces of legislation, the result of years of research by Woodstock and advocacy on Collins’ part, were included in reforms contained in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ Economic Equity Pillar.  They were signed into law earlier this year.

“I accept this award with gratitude, not just for the Woodstock Institute’s years-long partnership in fighting against these racist policies and practices, but with humility in light of the work we still have to do together to bring a true end to discriminatory and predatory lending,” Collins said. “I am honored to be recognized.”

The Predatory Loan Prevention Act puts Illinois in the same regulatory stance toward payday, auto title, and other small installment loans as 17 other states and the District of Columbia, capping the rates at 36% that lenders can charge borrowers. The Community Reinvestment Act, among other things, mandates greater efforts on the part of the State of Illinois to invest in businesses and financial institutions that can demonstrate a commitment to fairer lending practices.

Named for Aaron and Sylvia Scheinfeld, who in 1973 founded the nonprofit Woodstock Institute to fight on behalf of those suffering from the policies that have fueled economic segregation, the Scheinfeld Award is bestowed upon those with a long-term and visionary commitment to financial justice. Prior to Senator Collins, the last Scheinfeld Award winner was Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2013.

State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) continued her efforts to fight human trafficking Thursday, passing legislation out of a Senate committee that would require human trafficking information and public service announcements be posted in public restrooms of businesses such as motels, truck stops, and restaurants.

“Illinois’ position at the crossroads of America means that human trafficking is happening here,” Collins said. “Raising the public’s awareness of this and conveying the message that we must work together to fight human trafficking is key, and posting this information is a first step to doing that.”

Collins is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 588, which requires the notices be posted in public restrooms in bars, adult entertainment venues, major airports, intercity bus depots, truck stops, emergency rooms, farm labor contractors, job recruitment centers, and massage parlors. Under current law, similar notices are to be placed in public view in such establishments, as well as hotels and motels.

House Bill 588 passed the Senate Human Rights Committee Thursday morning and awaits consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate acted to fight human trafficking Friday, passing two pieces of legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) to study the problem and require more businesses that come into contact with traffickers to be more vigilant.

“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity that overwhelmingly affects people of color and women: 40% of human trafficking victims are Black,” Collins said. “We must acknowledge the hard truth that globally, the United States is one of the worst countries for human trafficking and that as a centrally located state that serves as a national transportation hub, it is happening here in Illinois.”

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois schools would need to communicate their truancy policies to families on a yearly basis under legislation by State Senator Jacqueline Collins that passed the Illinois Senate Wednesday.

“We think of truancy and chronic absenteeism as one problem because the end result is that we don’t have a child at their desk. The truth is that it is complicated and stems from many factors: Transportation, family illness, mental health difficulties or disabilities,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We need absence policies that are consistent and are applied consistently. This legislation ensures that, and ensures families know those policies.”

Chronic truancy — when students miss more than 5% of the school year — has increased in Illinois since 2015, when about 9% of students were considered chronically truant. As many as 13.4% are chronically truant currently. Senate Bill 605 requires schools to develop a truancy and chronic absence policy each year and report it to families, including information on chronic truancy.

The legislation awaits consideration in the Illinois House.