July 15, 2025 • 6 mins
In this edition of the News Brief, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford unveils the new Children’s Adversity Index — a data-driven tool to help address childhood trauma across the state - while members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus voice their support for $13M in Illinois EPA funding for electric school buses to reduce emissions and improve student health. Plus, Senator Michael Hastings calls for insurance reform after State Farm’s recent rate increase news.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to this edition of the News Brief, part of
the Sound of the State podcast series from the Illinois
Senate Democratic Caucus, keeping you up to date with what's
happening in Springfield and around the state. I'm Colby Huff,
building off her success and leading a whole child trauma
informed approach to helping youth. Send it to Majority Leader
Kimberly A. Lightford is celebrating the launch of the Children's
Adversity Index, a pivotal step in identifying and addressing systemic
(00:24):
challenges impacting communities statewide. Leader Lightford of Maywood set in
part A Children's Adversity Index represents exactly the kind of comprehensive,
data driven approach we need to tackle the complex challenges
facing Illinois families by mapping adversity across our communities and
identifying where resources are most needed or moving beyond treating
symptoms to addressing root causes. This tool will be invaluable
(00:47):
as we work to ensure every child in Illinois has
the support they need to thrive, regardless of their zip code.
As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four Pillar
Agenda in twenty twenty one, Leader Leichford created the Whole
Child Task Force to analyze statewide data related to childhood
trauma exposure. The group outlined its report in twenty twenty two,
which included the need for the Child Adversity Index, a
(01:09):
comprehensive data driven perspective on adverse community conditions affecting Illinois youth.
Its creation became law in twenty twenty three and came
to fruition this month. The index, which takes into account
community risk trajectories, unmet needs, and barriers to economic progress,
compares trauma exposure levels of each Illinois community to others
and to the state average to inform state action to
(01:29):
address childhood trauma. Interactive maps illustrate the distribution of adversity
across Illinois. A state wide map displays each community's overall
exposure level, while separate maps for each domain provide a
more detailed view of community specific trauma exposure. Policymakers, service providers,
and state and regional level leaders across sectors will be
able to use the data to take meaningful action to
(01:50):
expand and tailor's services to meet community specific needs and
ensure financial resources, including public and private grant dollars and
programming are prioritized for communities for face facing the highest
levels of trauma exposure. The index underscores the relationship between
adverse community conditions and childhood trauma. It is used to
evaluate community wide data to analyze adverse incidents and environmental
(02:11):
conditions that contribute to trauma exposure. To access the Live Index,
related data and further information, visit isbe dot net slash
Adversity Index. Members of the Illinois set At Democratic Caucus
celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's
thirteen million dollar investment for forty six new all electric
(02:31):
school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older
diesel powered buses to brand new electric buses with the
charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet. The grants
are funded through Illinois allocation of the multi billion dollar
Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by the Illinois EPAS Driving
a Cleaner Illinois program. The grant program was developed to
distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects.
(02:54):
Illinois EPA has spent nearly one hundred eight million dollars
in VW settlement funds to date, funding one hundred twenty
two electric school buses and sixty five direct current fast
charging sites across the state. The program has also funded
sixty electric transit buses in the Chicago area. Senator L. G. R. Simms,
Junior Own Chicago, set in part in investment in clean
transportation represents a win win for our communities. We're protecting
(03:16):
the health of our children while moving Illinois toward a
more sustainable future. The new electric buses headed to Community
Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in Sauct Village will
mean cleaner air for our students during their daily commutes
and reduced emissions in our neighborhoods. This is exactly the
kind of forward thinking investment that will benefit families in
the seventeenth District for years to come. The Driving a
Cleaner Illinois program will provide electric buses for seven school districts,
(03:40):
including Triad Community Unit School District Number two, Huntley Community
School District Number one fifty eight, Chicago Public Schools District
two ninety nine, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District two
thirty three, Community Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in
Sauk Village, Palatine Community Consolidated School District fifteen and Community
Unit School District three hundred in Carpville. State Senator Napoleon
(04:01):
inherits the third of Harvey Ads having buses that run
almost every day. Transition to clean energy will improve the
air quality for our community and young students, but it
also sets an example to the next generation that Illinois
is leading the charge on protecting the environment. They will inherit.
State Senator Michael E. Hastings of Frankfurt recently issued a
strong statement condemning State farms announced twenty seven point two
(04:23):
percent premium increase on Illinois homeowners, calling it a breach
of trust and further evidence that Illinois must take action
to reform its insurance system. Senator Hastings set, in part,
for over six months, we worked with the insurance industry
in good faith to address rising premiums. We were told
that rates were stabilizing. Weeks later, State Farm announced one
of the largest rate hikes in recent history. That is
(04:45):
not transparency. It is a slap in the face to
consumers and lawmakers alike. Senator Hastings, who serves as chair
of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced legislation that would
stop insurance companies from quietly passing the costs of out
of state disasters such as hurricanes or wildfire onto Illinois
policy holders without proper justification. His proposal requires clear actuarial
(05:05):
evidence and public disclosure. Senator Hastings welcome to Governor J. B.
Pritzker's recent support for rate reforms, saying it underscores the
urgency of the issue, and renewed his commitment to work
toward getting insurance reform legislation passed in the coming months.
Senator Hastings continues, families in Illinois should not be forced
to pay for catastrophes that happen thousands of miles away.
My bill insurers insurance rates reflect actual Illinois risk, not
(05:29):
national losses. I appreciate the Governor's standing with working families.
His support shows that reform is not just necessary, it
is inevitable. This fight is about fairness and accountability. We
owe it to the people of Illinois to fix the
system that clearly is not working for them. For more
on the storays you just heard and others, visit Illinois
(05:51):
Senate Democrats dot com and subscribe to our weekly Majority
Report newsletter. You can listen to the sound of the
State podcast series, as well as our Spanish version, estat
O d Elastado with Carlos Mendez, featuring regular updates and
in depth conversations with our senators on your choice of
platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pandora,
(06:12):
and more. From the Springfield Office of Senate to President
Don Harmon, I'm coldy huff
Welcome to this edition of the News Brief, part of
the Sound of the State podcast series from the Illinois
Senate Democratic Caucus, keeping you up to date with what's
happening in Springfield and around the state. I'm Colby Huff,
building off her success and leading a whole child trauma
informed approach to helping youth. Send it to Majority Leader
Kimberly A. Lightford is celebrating the launch of the Children's
Adversity Index, a pivotal step in identifying and addressing systemic
(00:24):
challenges impacting communities statewide. Leader Lightford of Maywood set in
part A Children's Adversity Index represents exactly the kind of comprehensive,
data driven approach we need to tackle the complex challenges
facing Illinois families by mapping adversity across our communities and
identifying where resources are most needed or moving beyond treating
symptoms to addressing root causes. This tool will be invaluable
(00:47):
as we work to ensure every child in Illinois has
the support they need to thrive, regardless of their zip code.
As part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus four Pillar
Agenda in twenty twenty one, Leader Leichford created the Whole
Child Task Force to analyze statewide data related to childhood
trauma exposure. The group outlined its report in twenty twenty two,
which included the need for the Child Adversity Index, a
(01:09):
comprehensive data driven perspective on adverse community conditions affecting Illinois youth.
Its creation became law in twenty twenty three and came
to fruition this month. The index, which takes into account
community risk trajectories, unmet needs, and barriers to economic progress,
compares trauma exposure levels of each Illinois community to others
and to the state average to inform state action to
(01:29):
address childhood trauma. Interactive maps illustrate the distribution of adversity
across Illinois. A state wide map displays each community's overall
exposure level, while separate maps for each domain provide a
more detailed view of community specific trauma exposure. Policymakers, service providers,
and state and regional level leaders across sectors will be
able to use the data to take meaningful action to
(01:50):
expand and tailor's services to meet community specific needs and
ensure financial resources, including public and private grant dollars and
programming are prioritized for communities for face facing the highest
levels of trauma exposure. The index underscores the relationship between
adverse community conditions and childhood trauma. It is used to
evaluate community wide data to analyze adverse incidents and environmental
(02:11):
conditions that contribute to trauma exposure. To access the Live Index,
related data and further information, visit isbe dot net slash
Adversity Index. Members of the Illinois set At Democratic Caucus
celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's
thirteen million dollar investment for forty six new all electric
(02:31):
school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older
diesel powered buses to brand new electric buses with the
charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet. The grants
are funded through Illinois allocation of the multi billion dollar
Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by the Illinois EPAS Driving
a Cleaner Illinois program. The grant program was developed to
distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects.
(02:54):
Illinois EPA has spent nearly one hundred eight million dollars
in VW settlement funds to date, funding one hundred twenty
two electric school buses and sixty five direct current fast
charging sites across the state. The program has also funded
sixty electric transit buses in the Chicago area. Senator L. G. R. Simms,
Junior Own Chicago, set in part in investment in clean
transportation represents a win win for our communities. We're protecting
(03:16):
the health of our children while moving Illinois toward a
more sustainable future. The new electric buses headed to Community
Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in Sauct Village will
mean cleaner air for our students during their daily commutes
and reduced emissions in our neighborhoods. This is exactly the
kind of forward thinking investment that will benefit families in
the seventeenth District for years to come. The Driving a
Cleaner Illinois program will provide electric buses for seven school districts,
(03:40):
including Triad Community Unit School District Number two, Huntley Community
School District Number one fifty eight, Chicago Public Schools District
two ninety nine, Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District two
thirty three, Community Consolidated Schools District one sixty eight in
Sauk Village, Palatine Community Consolidated School District fifteen and Community
Unit School District three hundred in Carpville. State Senator Napoleon
(04:01):
inherits the third of Harvey Ads having buses that run
almost every day. Transition to clean energy will improve the
air quality for our community and young students, but it
also sets an example to the next generation that Illinois
is leading the charge on protecting the environment. They will inherit.
State Senator Michael E. Hastings of Frankfurt recently issued a
strong statement condemning State farms announced twenty seven point two
(04:23):
percent premium increase on Illinois homeowners, calling it a breach
of trust and further evidence that Illinois must take action
to reform its insurance system. Senator Hastings set, in part,
for over six months, we worked with the insurance industry
in good faith to address rising premiums. We were told
that rates were stabilizing. Weeks later, State Farm announced one
of the largest rate hikes in recent history. That is
(04:45):
not transparency. It is a slap in the face to
consumers and lawmakers alike. Senator Hastings, who serves as chair
of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced legislation that would
stop insurance companies from quietly passing the costs of out
of state disasters such as hurricanes or wildfire onto Illinois
policy holders without proper justification. His proposal requires clear actuarial
(05:05):
evidence and public disclosure. Senator Hastings welcome to Governor J. B.
Pritzker's recent support for rate reforms, saying it underscores the
urgency of the issue, and renewed his commitment to work
toward getting insurance reform legislation passed in the coming months.
Senator Hastings continues, families in Illinois should not be forced
to pay for catastrophes that happen thousands of miles away.
My bill insurers insurance rates reflect actual Illinois risk, not
(05:29):
national losses. I appreciate the Governor's standing with working families.
His support shows that reform is not just necessary, it
is inevitable. This fight is about fairness and accountability. We
owe it to the people of Illinois to fix the
system that clearly is not working for them. For more
on the storays you just heard and others, visit Illinois
(05:51):
Senate Democrats dot com and subscribe to our weekly Majority
Report newsletter. You can listen to the sound of the
State podcast series, as well as our Spanish version, estat
O d Elastado with Carlos Mendez, featuring regular updates and
in depth conversations with our senators on your choice of
platforms including the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pandora,
(06:12):
and more. From the Springfield Office of Senate to President
Don Harmon, I'm coldy huff
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