Cervantes legislation banning video calls while driving passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Cervantes sponsored legislation that would prohibit all drivers from using an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois, including any video conferencing or social media applications.
“We are prioritizing safety with this legislation, because no video call is worth someone getting hurt,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “We are taking action against drivers who put themselves and everyone around them in danger with straightforward legislation that will protect Illinois drivers.”
House Bill 2431 would make it illegal to use any electronic communications devices while operating a motor vehicle, including the use of cell phones and tablets for streaming videos and participating in video conferences on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WebEx. Additionally, the bill prohibits any social media applications like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter from being used while operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway.
Read more: Cervantes legislation banning video calls while driving passes Senate
Villa pushes to increase social worker diversity in the workforce
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SPRINGFIELD – Following findings of testing bias in social worker licensure exams, State Senator Karina Villa moved a bill out of the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday to provide social workers who are minorities another, more equitable avenue for obtaining a license.
“Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and their dedication makes our communities a better place to live in,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Those who wish to become social workers should not feel discriminated against in the process of obtaining their license and beginning their career.”
House Bill 2365 provides a clinical social worker with an alternative route to obtain a license, given they complete an additional 3,000 hours of supervision after having taken and not passed the Association of Social Work Boards license exam. The bill also allows applicants to receive supervised training from other approved areas if no licensed clinical social worker is available for those additional 3,000 hours.
Read more: Villa pushes to increase social worker diversity in the workforce
Simmons ensures older residents have proper heating and cooling standards
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SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure to provide safer heating and cooling standards for homes in 55 and up communities.
“Every resident in our state should live with the confidence that their housing conditions are safe,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “It is our responsibility to ensure our older resident neighbors, both in the 7th District and across the state, live in safe and humane housing conditions.”
House Bill 2562 would create heating and cooling standards for properties that limit their ownership, rental and occupancy to people 55 years old or older.
Read more: Simmons ensures older residents have proper heating and cooling standards
Villanueva implements legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize
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SPRINGFIELD – Senator Villanueva championed legislation that allows charter schools to unionize without being penalized by management of the charter school.
“Employees of charter schools should never be made to feel like their voices do not matter and their teaching is not important,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “All teachers play a vital role in the educational success of our state’s students.”
House Bill 1120 is an initiative of the Chicago Teachers' Union that seeks to ensure that if the staff at a charter school chooses to form a union, the management of the charter school will not interfere.
Read more: Villanueva implements legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize
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