Senator Halpin finds a way to get children the benefits they deserve

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin advanced legislation that would help stop parents who do not have primary custody of their child from skipping on child support payments.

"This is an important initiative to ensure that parents who refuse to pay their child support can be tracked and held accountable," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "This is a step in the right direction to ensure that children receive the support they need and deserve."

House Bill 3301 would include independent contractors in the definition of "employee" so that anyone who reports income on 1099 forms as an independent contractor would be reported to the National Directory of New Hires registry. The registry was established in 1996 to help track parents who are delinquent on child support payments across state lines.

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Villa progresses bill to address statewide nurse shortages

SPRINGFIELD – To help address the shortage of nurses in health care facilities across Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday.

“Nurses are an instrumental part of our communities; they are the ones on the frontlines helping our loved ones when they are ill,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “My hope is this legislation will help support nurses so more people will be inspired to join and stay in the profession.”

The growing scarcity of nurses in Illinois, especially in Southern Illinois, is negatively impacting patients, as well as existing nurses who have to work without a full staff in some of these health care facilities. House Bill 1615 amends the Nurse Practice Act to provide that the Nursing Workforce Center will develop strategies to ensure proper actions are being taken to address the statewide nurse shortages.

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Loughran Cappel advances measure increasing access to resources for grandparents raising grandchildren in Will County

SPRINGFIELD – To increase access to state resources, State Senator Loughran Cappel passed a measure through the Senate Executive Committee that would create a program for grandparents raising their grandchildren in Will County to have a better understanding of what state programs are available.

“Grandparents often take on the responsibilities to raise their grandchildren,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “There are a number of resources that people don’t know about and this initiative addresses that by streamlining the process and giving caretakers a direct, local contact to utilize the resources available.”

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Mother who lost son to suicide fights alongside Democrats to support other grieving families

SPRINGFIELD – When Laura Kane lost her son, Zachary, to suicide, she was still expected to return to work merely three days later. Today, she stood with lawmakers to support other grieving families and ensure that no one else is put in the same situation.

“I am grateful for the support and efforts of State Representative Maurice West and Senator Villa on getting this legislation passed. This is very bittersweet, as I am the mother who lost her 14-year-old son to suicide,” said Kane. “I was let go from my employment due to being unable to perform my duties to my employers expectation as a result the trauma and grief I was suffering following the sudden loss of my son. This bill will give families the job protection they deserve during this type of crisis.  I truly hope no one has to use this, but in the event they find themselves in these circumstances, the bill will provide protection in what may be their darkest hours.”

Kane was let go from her job due to not being able to perform her job while grieving the loss of her child. She started a nonprofit, Marshmallow’s Hope, in honor of her son and to help children struggling with depression and families coping with the loss of a child due to suicide.

Read more: Mother who lost son to suicide fights alongside Democrats to support other grieving families