SPRINGFIELD – A measure that preserves insurance choices for rural farmers in Illinois is now law, thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

Harris’ initiative – which was signed into law Friday – modernizes coverage requirements for farm mutual insurance companies to allow them to adapt to changes in the insurance marketplace and continue to provide coverage to farmers across Illinois.

“Illinois’ farmers drive our economy,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “It is important that we update the state’s provisions to allow these community insurance companies to keep their doors open and preserve choice in the insurance marketplace.”

Farm mutual insurance companies typically started off as small community-based organizations, but over time many have grown and began to offer insurance to more members in more diverse communities. Currently, there are 44 farm mutual companies that provide more than 50,000 policy holders with insurance coverage.

Harris, who started his legislative career as the Senate’s Agriculture Committee Chair, is now leading the Senate Insurance Committee. In this role, he saw the need to update this law to ensure farm mutual insurance companies have options while securing reinsurance contracts from larger insurance entities.

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris, III is excited to announce that $7.6 million in additional funding will be awarded to local schools to help move toward fair and equitable school systems in Illinois.

“As a father, I want to ensure all of our children have the opportunity to receive an excellent education,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “The state’s budget serves as an opportunity to outline our priorities as a state, and I am proud to say that we continue to fund our schools properly to help support students and educators throughout our communities.”

In 2017, Harris joined the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus in implementing an evidence-based funding formula —an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

HARVEY – Restaurants and hotels in the 15^th District are set to receive more than $850,000 in grants, thanks to the support of State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

“Our businesses and hotels drive our local economy,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “We are all still in the process of recovering from the pandemic. The Back to Business grant program is an effective way for us to uplift and support our business community as they rebuild and recover.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest-hit industries, like restaurants and hotels. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

A total of $851,713 has been awarded to 23 businesses in Harris’ district that are part of the restaurant and hotel industry.

“As a business owner, I can empathize with the challenges our community is still struggling with,” said Harris. “My hope is this grant program will assist businesses and help ensure they are on a path toward success.”

For more information about B2B grants, visit DCEO’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – The South Suburban Airport may soon be reality, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

For the last 40 years, lawmakers have attempted to secure a south suburban airport in the Monee community. Where many lawmakers have failed – Harris (D-Harvey) fought and held the state accountable to fulfill its promises to the South Suburbs by requiring the state to establish the process to find partners in the construction of a new south suburban airport.

“This is a touchdown for communities across the South Suburbs,” Harris said. “This airport will serve as an economic engine for our communities and provide local businesses with access to global markets for generations to come.”

The South Suburban Airport Act, which became law more than a decade ago, established that the state may develop a prequalification process. Since its enactment, no process has been established until Harris’ advocacy and leadership in getting this venture into the end zone.