HARVEY – The 15th State Senate District will soon see more than $38.7 million in road, highway and bridge improvements thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris, III’s advocacy.

“Safe and reliable roads lead to great economic, education and social opportunities,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “We need to continue to look for ways to create jobs, increase the efficiency of our roadways and accessibility throughout our communities.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, State Senate District 15, which Harris represents, will receive funding for infrastructure projects totaling more than $349 million over the next six years.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Insurance are required to take extra precautions to keep residents’ sensitive information safe, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Napoleon Harris, III.

“No organization or business is immune to cyber threats,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “It’s important that the state’s insurance companies take the necessary steps to protect resident’s private information.”

House Bill 2130 institutes requirements and procedures for insurance companies to implement security programs and create response plans. The measure, known as the Insurance Data Security Law, also requires the insurers to submit a written certificate of compliance and notify the Illinois Department of Insurance if any cybersecurity events occur.

Harris spearheaded this measure after news of several major data breaches involving large insurers. During these breaches, potentially sensitive personal information of millions of insurance consumers were compromised.

SPRRINGFIELD – The South Suburban Airport may soon be reality, thanks to the Senate members of the South Suburbs.

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

For the last 40 years, lawmakers have attempted to secure a south suburban airport in the Monee community. The measure – spearheaded by Harris – passed on Wednesday, would require the state to establish the process to find partners in the construction of a new south suburban airport.

"We support this project to help create many exciting new opportunities for working families in the South Suburbs for generations to come," said Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney. "It will jump-start the process leading to the thousands of good-paying union construction jobs to build the airport, and create many long-term career opportunities in the direct airport operations and all of the businesses that will develop around it."

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris is leading a measure to require insurance companies to submit diversity reports.

“Small businesses should have the support they need to accurately reflect the diversity of the state,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “There are many veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses throughout Illinois and we must ensure they are fairly and accurately represented.”

Senate Bill 2381 requires licensed or accredited insurance companies within the state to submit a diversity program report annually. This report would provide insight to how many companies accept or recognize minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned businesses. The diversity report would help determine ways to improve and better serve various groups of businesses.

“As someone with experience in the insurance industry, I know how necessary it is to prop up small and diverse businesses with the resources needed to thrive in this economy and dismantle disparities,” said Harris. “I am committed to making an effort to support the research to do just that.”

Senate Bill 2381 passed the Senate Insurance Committee last Wednesday and will head to the floor for further deliberation.