Senator Martinez Passes Legislation to Reduce DUI Fatalities

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Yesterday, State Senator Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) passed legislation to increase the frequency of driving under the influence testing during traffic stops. House Bill 1241 requires police officers to ask drivers to take chemical tests if they believe drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Currently, when drivers are pulled over for driving under the influence, law enforcement officers are not mandated to ask drivers to participate in blood, breath, or urine tests. If a driver refuses to take a blood-alcohol level test, then the driver’s license is suspended automatically.

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Martinez Helps Advise Collective Bargaining Agreement

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Recently, State Senator Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) led negotiations with Dr. Therese Schuepfer, president of the Northeastern Illinois University chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100, and Dr. Sharon K. Hahs, President of NEIU to reach a tentative collective bargaining agreement for the contract years of 2010 – 2014.

The UPI and the NEIU administration conducted negotiation sessions for nearly 2 years prior to the recent agreement. On April 1, 2011, UPI membership reject the administration’s, “last, best and final” contract offer by an overwhelming 71 percent and requested a return to the bargaining table with a new proposal.

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 LULAC NATIONAL WOMENS' COMMISSION HONORS NHCSL PRESIDENT SENATOR IRIS Y. MARTINEZ FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Washington, D.C., April 7, 2011 – NHCSL President, Senator Iris Y. Martinez (IL.) will receive the LULAC Community Leadership Award at the LULAC Women’s Conference April 9th, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. Selected by the conference host committee and LULAC women’s commission, the award recognizes exemplars of community leadership and dedication to the empowerment of Latinas and the broader community. The Senator is being honored for her leadership in the area of government.

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Martinez Passes Measure to Combat Home Foreclosure

Springfield, IL – Today, State Senator Iris Y. Martinez passed Senate Joint Resolution 30, which establishes a foreclosure working group within the State Housing Task Force.  The purpose of the task force is to make annual recommendations on housing policies to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and Office of the Attorney General.

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