Guidance regarding the landscaping and lawn care industry

There's been a few questions regarding whether or not Landscapers were considered "essential businesses"

I wanted to share some guidance with everyone regarding the landscaping and lawn care industry.

Due to the high visibility of landscape contractors in your communities, our three organizations felt it would be wise to provide guidance to municipal government officials on landscape industry businesses during the "Stay-at-Home" Executive Order issued on March 20, 2020. We feel the more information municipalities have will improve communication with your communities and service providers. This will help answer resident questions if they arise.

The landscape industry requested additional information from the Governor's office about whether lawn, landscape, and tree services were essential services under Section 12, Paragraph H of the Executive Order that reads:

Read more: Guidance regarding the landscaping and lawn care industry

Ellman: Let people legally drink on trains

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is taking action to remove an arbitrary law that prohibits drinking alcohol and hasn’t been enforced in nearly a century.

“I was shocked to learn that people were technically breaking the law by ordering a glass of wine on Amtrak,” Ellman said. “There’s no reason responsible adults shouldn’t be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage on a train.”

Senate Bill 2961 repeals the Railroad Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1911, which prohibits drinking alcohol on trains, around train stations and gives conductors the ability to arrest violators and charge them with a Class C misdemeanor.

“This law hasn’t been enforced since the 1920s, during prohibition in this country,” Ellman said. “Just because a law isn’t generally enforced, doesn’t mean that it can’t be. Today, many trains include alcoholic beverages on their menus. It’s time to strike this archaic and arbitrary law off the books in the state of Illinois.”

The legislation has been assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee, where it awaits consideration.

Ellman praises proposed community college apprenticeship program

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address:

“I was excited to see the governor propose a new community college apprentice program. I passed legislation last year that increased access to community colleges. Education at all levels is economic development."

Ellman views governor as strong ally

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State address:

“This year, I plan to focus on a number of issues, from combating climate change to quality higher education. I wish I had heard more specific proposals about the environment beyond clean energy, but after hearing him speak, I’m confident that the he will be an ally in making the state a national leader in protecting our natural resources and environment.

Additionally, as I listened to the governor speak, his comments about ethics reform really struck a chord. We need a new level of transparency that surpasses any law we can implement. Our job is to live up to the expectations of the people we represent, and that’s what I plan to do and what every elected official should also be doing.”