SPRINGFIELD – A plan that would ensure that when someone dials 9-1-1 in Illinois they would reach emergency personnel passed the Illinois State Senate on April 10.

The legislation is in response to the murder of Kari Rene Hunt, who was stabbed by her estranged husband in a hotel room in Texas while their daughter attempted to dial 9-1-1. However, because the hotel was on a closed business circuit the daughter wasn’t able to reach emergency personnel. Like many hotels and offices nationwide, she needed to dial a 9 to reach an outside line.

 “We teach our children to dial 9-1-1,” said Senator Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield), who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “That number should work at all times and from anywhere.”

Senator Steven Landek (D-Bridgeview), who co-sponsored the legislation, emphasized that the time has come to fix this flaw in the system.

“We now have the technology to fix this problem relatively easily,” Landek said. “I applaud my colleague who brought this issue forward and the Senate for acting to close this dangerous loophole.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 3313, passed unanimously out of the Senate. It now goes to the Illinois House of Representatives for debate.

SPRINGFIELD – Students from Moraine Valley Community College visited Springfield on April 2 for their advocacy day and met with State Senator Steven Landek (D-Bridgeview). The students were from the Honors Program, Philosophy 111 Critical Thinking class and Student Government.

“Community colleges in Illinois provide great opportunities for those seeking higher education across our state,” Landek said. “Moraine Valley helps perform this critical role in our area. It was great to see the students excited to experience their government in action and hear about the research projects they are working on back home.”

Moraine Valley Community College is located at 9000 W. College Parkway in Palos Hills. More information about Moraine Valley can be found on their website, morainevalley.edu.

BRIDGEVIEW – Senator Steven Landek (D-Bridgeview) visited St. Albert the Great Catholic School in Burbank on March 31 to meet with school officials and take a tour of the school.

Landek met with the pastor of St. Albert the Great Church, Reverend Michael Zoufal, and the principal of the school, Terrence K. O'Rourke. They discussed upcoming activities at St. Albert’s and ended the visit by touring the school.

“I appreciate Principle O’Rourke extending the invitation to visit St. Albert’s,” Landek said. “They have built up a great reputation in Burbank and the surrounding communities over the years. By the looks of it, they are continuing that proud tradition.”

St. Albert the Great Catholic School in Burbank is located at 5535 W. State Rd. in Burbank. More information about the school and upcoming events can be found at stalbertthegreatschool.com.

Senator Landek is pictured on the floor of the Senate with “Thank You” cards from students at St. Albert the Great School in Burbank.

BRIDGEVIEW – Local leaders met on Saturday, February 8 to discuss issues facing residents and their communities in the western suburbs. The legislative breakfast, organized by the West Central Municipal Conference, saw a record 251 people in attendance.

Legislators discussed numerous issues at the breakfast, including the need for increased oversight on how the city of Chicago water rates are determined. State Senator Steven Landek (D-Bridgeview), a member of the West Central Municipal Conference, is currently evaluating different legislative solutions to address this concern.

“I always welcome the opportunity to discuss local issues with local leaders,” Senator Landek said. “So often our communities need to address similar issues. This organization provides the forum for discussing solutions and forming coalitions.”

The West Central Municipal Conference was formed in 1980 as a regional council of governments. Its membership consists of 51 municipalities, townships, Brookfield Zoo and two community colleges in western Cook and eastern DuPage counties.