SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Senate today by a 40-16 vote passed a comprehensive pension reform plan, Senate Bill 2404, with bipartisan support. State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) voted for the proposal.

"Changes to our pension system are necessary in order to protect pension benefits for all current and retired teachers, state and university employees," Sullivan said. "This was a difficult vote but this legislation, I believe, is balanced and constitutional and will stabilize both the retirement systems and the state's economy."

Senate Bill 2404 protects vital aspects of the pension system and provides employees and retirees with the ability to choose how these changes will affect their lives. This proposal is the result of negotiations between lawmakers and representatives of public-sector employee unions.

The legislation saves state tax payers approximately $46 billion over the next 30 years and mandates a state payment system that will prevent future funding issues.

"I supported this plan because of its strong, sound constitutional provisions, and because it puts the state of Illinois on a path to fiscal stability," Sullivan said.

Senate Bill 2404 now moves to the House for a vote.

For an overview of the bills details visit www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com.

SPRINGFIELD – The second Wednesday of May could soon become a statewide holiday honoring a historic Galesburg figure and all military nurses. Mother Mary Ann Bickerdyke was a hospital administrator and military nurse from Galesburg who served as chief of nursing for Ulysses S. Grant's army during the Civil War.

The Illinois State Senate passed House Bill 2775, which adds Mother Mary Ann Bickerdyke Day to the list of commemorative dates. State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) sponsored HB 2775 in the Senate; it had already passed the House and was sponsored by Representative Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg).

"Mother Mary Ann Bickerdyke is a pivotal figure in the history of battlefield nursing and military medicine. She helped revolutionize battlefield care, sanitation and veterans advocacy," Sullivan said. "Her sacrifices and the outstanding work of all military nurses deserve to be honored and recognized; that's what this commemorative day does."

"Thank you Sen. Sullivan for your efforts to recognize Mother Bickerdyke, who brought battlefield medicine to new heights, which has been built upon by modern medicine," Moffitt said. "This day brings honor not only to her but to past, present and future military nurses as well as all nurses."

Mary Ann Bickerdyke lived from 1817 to 1901 and oversaw the construction of roughly 300 field hospitals during the war as well as personally tending to the sick and wounded on the battlefield. Because of her work, Union soldiers gave her the title "Mother."

She lived and practiced medicine in Galesburg before the Civil War. Following the war she set up numerous schools, hospitals and boarding houses. She was also a vocal advocate for veterans' pensions and benefits.

Mother Mary Ann Bickerdyke Day now goes to the governor for approval.

State Senator John Sullivan (D- Rushville) visits with Hamilton High School students Tuesday while they demonstrated their work in 3D computer animation. The students came to the Capitol as part of Tech Day 2013, when students from across the Illinois showcased technology-focused education projects. (click photo to enlarge)

SPRINGFIELD – Under legislation sponsored by State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville), hospitals like Galesburg Cottage Hospital would be able to continue to provide the highest quality emergency room trauma care.

Senate Bill 625, which passed unopposed with bipartisan support, would allow hospitals to continue providing emergency room care under new Illinois Department of Public Health certification requirements. The measure creates a new level III trauma center designation and acute injury stabilization category of hospitals.

"This legislation addresses an issue that was brought to me by Cottage Hospital, where qualified emergency room doctors have been providing quality care to the community," Sullivan said. "I want to ensure that rural and underserved areas of the state have every opportunity possible for the highest quality of emergency medical services."

Senate Bill 625 was co-sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) and is being carried by State Representative Don Moffit (R-Galesburg) in the House, where SB 625 now goes for a vote.

State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) meets with downstate K-12 education officials during the Illinois Association of School Business Officials' conference on legislative interaction Tuesday at the Stratton Building in Springfield. He discussed effective practices for communicating with lawmakers, spoke about the state's budget and answered questions about pension reform legislation. (click photo to enlarge)