“We have to pressure the governor who is holding this funding as leverage to push his non-budget related agenda. We have to tell him to stop playing games with the education of these kids,” State Senator Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) said this week during an interview with Spanish language network Univision. Martinez spoke about the looming hardships thousands of low-income students face due to the lack of a state budget, particularly as the second semester without funds approaches in a few weeks.

The interview included Linet Lopez, a University of Illinois at Chicago student, who receives a MAP (Monetary Award Program) grant. For Linet, this financial assistance funded through the Higher Education budget the governor vetoed is vital to pursue her dream to become a doctor.

“We may need this money more than anybody else the governor may be saving it for,” Lopez said. “Why not invest it in us, the future of the state?”

The Senate has repeatedly passed legislation this year seeking to re-establish funding for MAP grants. Many state universities had resources to allow students to continue courses during the fall semester, but several are now saying they may not be able to extend that opportunity for the upcoming spring semester.

“I ask Governor Rauner to work with us in finding a compromise to approve funding for higher education,” Martinez said. “We should not put the future of our kids in jeopardy for political reasons.”

Watch the Univision story on their website.

I wanted to let you know that, with my support, the Senate approved legislation today that will authorize the state to release state gasoline tax revenues, 911 emergency services funding and dollars for other vital programs.

This legislation has already passed the House, so it will now go to the governor’s desk for final approval.

While the governor has said he supports this proposal, the budget impasse began when he vetoed similar proposals back in June.

I hope the governor keeps his word and signs this measure into law.

Here is a breakdown of key components of Senate Bill 2039.

•$582.5 million to IDOT for local governments share of motor fuel gas tax revenues

•$77 million for 911-related costs

•$8.9 million for Choose Chicago to promote Chicago as a destination for tourism and business conferences

•$1 billion to the Lottery for prizes

•$31 million to IDOT to purchase road salt

•$2.5 million for breast cancer services and research

•$28 million for nursing home licensing and inspections

•$165 million for home heating bill assistance

While today’s vote was positive, the governor needs to show leadership and sign a budget that funds other essential programs not currently being funded, such as college aid for students and mental health services.

CHICAGO- Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) participated in a two-day Senate Special Committee on Pensions and Investments Hearing this week regarding the diversity of pension investment managers.

“It became apparent at this hearing that more work needs to be done by public employee pension systems to meet diversity goals,” Martinez said. “I’m particularly concerned that the numbers for Latinos are low.”

Under Illinois law, public employee pension systems must set and work toward meeting diversity goals. They must increase access to state contracts for investment management firms, brokerages and other vendors owned by minorities, women or people with disabilities.

The hearing featured testimony from representatives of state, county and municipal pension funds.

“I was not impressed by a lot of the testimony I heard,” Martinez said. “Many of these pension fund representatives come before the committee year after year and say that they are working to hire more diverse investment managers. However, it doesn’t seem like significant improvement is being made. What I’m looking for are results.”

By January 1, 2016, each pension system must adopt a goal of investing at least 20 percent of its funds with emerging investment managers and using businesses owned by minorities, women or persons with disabilities for 20 percent of its contracts.

Since 2004, the Senate has held annual hearings to receive updates from the pension systems on their progress in meeting diversity goals and efforts to ensure investment managers doing business with Illinois reflect the state’s population.

CHICAGO- Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) recently joined fellow legislators and student and immigrant advocates at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to launch her “Student Access Bill.”

“Education is the great equalizer in our society,” said Martinez, who is sponsoring the measure. “All students who are qualified and eager to learn should be able to compete for assistance to pay for college.”

Undocumented students in Illinois are currently ineligible to receive state-based financial aid.

Martinez wants that to change.

Under the senator’s plan, undocumented students meeting certain criteria would be considered Illinois residents for tuition purposes and be eligible to access state-based financial aid.

If the proposal becomes law, it is estimated that 1,500 students from Illinois’ four-year public universities would receive new scholarship opportunities.

The measure does not require the state to increase spending for higher education or create a new scholarship program. It simply gives public universities the authority to offer financial aid to all students.

Senate Bill 2196 is an initiative of the University of Illinois in conjunction with the Latino Policy Forum. Former Gov. Jim Edgar, other elected officials, business and civic leaders, faith-based leaders, labor unions and numerous nonprofit organizations back the legislation.

“I am pleased that a diverse coalition has already lined up to support the Student Access Bill,” Martinez said. “Now we just need to keep the momentum going into next year’s legislative session.”