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“Right now, issuers of these general-use reloadable cards do not have to provide a lot of pertinent information regarding their services that consumers need and deserve. They are not being held responsible to clients.” – Sen. Emil Jones III
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D–Chicago) advanced legislation this week providing reloadable, prepaid general use credit cards be subject to disclosure provisions.
“This is significant because currently, prepaid credit cards and their distributors are not made to adhere to any substantial disclosure regulations,” Jones said. “Right now, issuers of these general-use reloadable cards do not have to provide a lot of pertinent information regarding their services that consumers need and deserve. They are not being held responsible to clients. This needs to change, and legislation like this that calls for greater transparency and accountability on the part of service providers is going to help us realize that change.”
Reloadable, prepaid credit cards were exempted from the disclosure requirements of 2009’s federal Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure or “CARD” Act. SB 1829 establishes a standard set of disclosures for consumers to receive from credit card companies or issuers upon purchase of a prepaid, reloadable credit card.
The disclosures would inform consumers of fees accompanying the prepaid credit card and the product’s use, including the total cost of establishing service, maintenance fees, charges associated with receiving cash and reloading fees.
Senate Bill 1829 passed the Senate Financial Institutions Committee with a unanimous favorable vote.
The legislation now awaits further consideration by the full Senate.
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“I recognize that financially money is extremely tight. We must prioritize.” – Sen. Emil Jones III
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D–Chicago) had strong opinions regarding Gov. Pat Quinn’s annual budget address Wednesday.
“I recognize that financially money is extremely tight,” Jones said. “We must prioritize.”
Jones said that among his top priorities for this year’s fiscal plan were education funding, violence prevention and public safety dollars, and human services and health care funding.
“Right now, dollars for education is a big issue, given that 13 schools in the 14th Senate District are now being targeted for potential closing,” Jones said. “About 10 percent of the 129 CPS schools facing threats of closure lie within the boundaries of my district. Education funding right now is critical.”
Jones was disheartened to see, in light of his advocacy for greater education funding, the nearly $400 million in K-12 education cuts in the governor’s budget proposal. “This is disappointing, and I hope going forward we can rectify this because I remain adamant funding for our kids and their education needs to increase,” Jones said.
“We also have to provide for public safety and violence prevention,” Jones said. “It is no secret the 14th District is one of the biggest victims of the gun violence epidemic. We need to address safety in our streets with our final budget plan.”
“Health care is another great concern,” Jones said. “An estimated $1.6 billion in health care funding was slashed with last year’s budget, and that’s simply unacceptable. As someone fighting for increasing health care benefits, I maintain that we need to invest our money in the well-being of our citizens."
The Illinois Senate is now charged with approving and passing a budget plan for Fiscal Year 2014.
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“It’s an honor to be named chairperson. I am truly humbled and eager to work with my fellow African Americans to advance causes in the best interest of all state citizens, not just minorities.” – Sen. Emil Jones III
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D–Chicago) was elected chairperson of the Illinois Senate’s Black Caucus yesterday.
“It is an honor to be named chairperson,” Jones said. “I am truly humbled and eager to work with my fellow African Americans to advance causes in the best interest of all state citizens, not just minorities.”
Sen. Emil Jones III is the son of one of the most recognized African American lawmakers in Illinois Senate history, former Senate President Emil Jones Jr.
“I am sincerely grateful for the privilege to serve as chairperson,” Jones said. “I look forward to sharing and cooperating with my fellow black legislators and the great things we are going to accomplish together this year.”
Jones has been a member of the Black Caucus since joining the Illinois Senate in 2009 and has previously served as Black Caucus Secretary. This is his first time being elected chairperson.