Illinois State Senator Mike Halpin
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Halpin: We must ensure human trafficking perpetrators are brought to justice

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Category: Press Releases
Thursday, May 01, 2025 02:43 PM
  • Law Enforcement

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SPRINGFIELD – Working alongside the hospitality and retail industries, State Senator Mike Halpin outlined his measure at a press conference Thursday to create a more targeted approach to combatting human trafficking.

“We must empower our local governments and law enforcement to keep tabs on businesses to make sure every instance of human trafficking is accounted for and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Halpin. “By allowing localities to monitor hotels, restaurants and truck stop training, we can create a more targeted approach to combatting these terrible crimes.”

While current law requires human trafficking recognition training at hotels, restaurants and truck stops, Halpin’s measure would give municipalities the legal authority to act if a business is not complying the training laws. In addition, the new law would allow local governments to issue fines of up to $1,500 per offense.

“The only acceptable amount of human trafficking is absolutely zero. As legislators, we have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in our community from human trafficking,” said Representative Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline). “This legislation expands protections to prevent people from becoming victims of sexual and economic exploitation.”

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Halpin secures funding for Western Illinois school libraries

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Category: Press Releases
Thursday, April 24, 2025 09:02 AM
  • Education
  • Libraries

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ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin secured more than $27,000 in grants to provide resources for 15 public school libraries in Western Illinois.

“It is vital we continue to ensure our school libraries have the tools and staff they need to uplift Illinois students,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Our children’s educations warrant access to the very best resources, reading materials and technology we have available. This money will bolster Western Illinois schools and help nurture bright young minds.”

More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grant include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.

The following school districts in the 36th District received a total of $27,792:

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Halpin secures $374,000 for Rock Island County Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

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Category: Press Releases
Thursday, April 17, 2025 11:13 AM
  • Labor

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ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin has secured $374,000 to expand Rock Island County’s job training program.

“This program gives folks a shot at hands on experience with the financial support and guidance to get their foot in the door of a respectable career,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “If we want to rebuild our Western Illinois economy, we need the work force to do it. With plenty of bright young people looking for work, the trades offer a chance to support themselves, their families and their communities.”

The goal of the program is to create a qualified talent pipeline in the construction and building trades. Participants of the program attend tuition-free and receive a stipend and other support services to help enter the construction industry. Upon completion of the program, pre-apprentices receive industry-aligned certifications, which prepare and qualify them to continue to a registered apprenticeship program in one of the trades.

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Halpin higher-education librarian task force gets nod from the Senate

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Category: Press Releases
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 10:50 AM
  • Higher Education

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SPRINGFIELD – Libraries are an important cornerstone of a college students’ education and they require professional, union librarians to staff them. State Senator Mike Halpin championed a task force to study the impact of professional librarians on student and university outcomes.

“We must ensure our higher education institutions offer the most competitive and comprehensive learning tools,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “A fully staffed, professional, union library faculty can direct a young mind to diverse, authoritative sources and instruct navigation of evolving data bases. This task force will give us a deeper understanding of professional librarians’ impact on a student’s education and give universities insights on how they can improve their library access.”

Halpin led Senate Joint Resolution 13 to create a University Library and Professional Librarian Access and Transparency Task Force alongside the Illinois Federation of Teachers. This task force would o study the impacts of professional librarians on student and university outcomes.

Read more …

More Articles …

  1. Halpin combats plastic pollution
  2. Halpin effort to crack down on human trafficking passes Senate
  3. Halpin propels ‘Skip the Plastic Day’ through committee
  4. Halpin and Swanson announce prep classes for professional and licensing exams at WIU and Carl Sandburg
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Office Info

Rock Island Office:
County Office Building
1504 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 558-3612
(309) 297-4483 (Text)

Galesburg Office:
117 E. Main St.
Suite 103
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 297-4483

Springfield Office:
Stratton Office Building
401 S. Spring St.
Section C, Office J
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4307

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