Halpin bill to protect consumers from predatory vehicle warranties passes committee

• Consumers

SPRINGFIELD – Third-party vehicle warranties are often opaque, contain exclusions, deductibles and difficult claim processes that may not be apparent to the average consumer. State Senator Mike Halpin is leading the effort to protect consumers from these predatory third-party vehicle warranties.

“This legislation will ensure folks know what they’re buying when they purchase one of these third-party warranties for their vehicle,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Too often these warranties use fine print, vague terminology and hidden fees to take money from people without providing meaningful coverage.”

House Bill 2338 would provide, at the customer’s request, a copy of the vehicle warranty contract and a written disclosure prepared by the third-party provider summarizing all costs the consumer may incur under the warranty. These provisions would provide transparency regarding the warranty before a customer purchases it, giving the consumer more choice and a better state of mind down the road.

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Halpin announces $3.5 million for East Moline and Monmouth downtown revitalization

• East Moline
• Monmouth
• Infrastructure

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin has secured over $3.5 million dollars to revitalize 15^th Avenue in East Moline and a reconstruction of Main Street in Monmouth.

“These projects are an exciting development for East Moline and Monmouth, we have a chance to preserve our local culture while dressing up our towns for the future,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This grant money will go to good use making our towns hubs of commercial activity and pleasant downtowns for folks in the community.”

The grant includes $2 million for East Moline. Improvements will support economic growth by transforming 15th Avenue – the city’s “Main Street” – into an accessible, connected corridor that prioritizes space for pedestrians, shops and restaurants. In addition, Monmouth will receive $1.5 million. The Monmouth project includes the reconstruction and streetscaping of Main Street from 2nd Ave. to 1st Avenue and from Archer Avenue to Boston Avenue, with the previously reconstructed Public Square between the two sections of the project. These renovations will spruce up and revive the downtown area.

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Halpin: We must ensure human trafficking perpetrators are brought to justice

• Law Enforcement

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 bill to ensure homeowners receive attorney’s fees passes committee

• Consumers

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to ensure defendants in a home repair or remodeling contract dispute receive attorney’s fees passed committee today.

“If homeowners have a genuine dispute and receive a favorable ruling, they should receive full coverage of attorney’s fees,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This will make sure a resident will have one less cost barrier to enforce their rights against a contractor.”

State law already requires consumer contracts in cases under $10,000 to pay out attorney’s fees to a consumer if the consumer prevails in their action. This initiative would ensure that if a home repair and remodeling contract allows attorney’s fees then the contract will permit the award of attorney’s fees to all parties in the contract.

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