ISDC
  • Home
  • Senators
    • Alphabetical
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Find My Senator
  • Caucus News
    • ILBC Committee Roundup
    • Subscribe
    • Majority Report
  • Issues
    • Agriculture
    • Budget
    • Business
    • Criminal Law
    • Diabetes
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Ethics
    • Health
    • Higher Education
    • Law Enforcement
    • Seniors
    • Transportation
    • Veterans
  • Multimedia
    • Monthly Minute
    • Photo of the Day
    • Sound of the State
  • Resources
    • Bills / Resolutions
    • Fact Sheets
    • For Educators
    • I Like Illinois
    • Illinois Compiled Statutes
    • Illinois General Assembly
    • Internships
    • Media Guidelines
    • NCSL
    • Senate Schedule
  • About the Senate
  • Contact Us
    • How to contact a Senator
    • Employment
    • Submit Feedback
  • ILBC Pillars
    • Pillar 1
    • Pillar 2
    • Pillar 3
    • Pillar 4
  • COVID-19

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

Senate Democrats honor fallen police officers at Springfield ceremony

Senate Democrats honor fallen police officers at Springfield ceremony

Illinois Senate Democrats commemorate local parks

Illinois Senate Democrats commemorate local parks

Morrison applauds $23 million investment in Vantive’s new Deerfield headquarters

Morrison applauds $23 million investment in Vantive’s new Deerfield headquarters

Fine outlines plan to test baby food for toxic heavy metals

Fine outlines plan to test baby food for toxic heavy metals

Fine: Eliminating harmful polystyrene food containers moves us closer to environmental safety goals

Details
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 03:20 PM

Senator Laura Fine

SPRINGFIELD – To further mitigate the harmful environmental impact and potential health risks from disposable food packaging, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to prohibit the sale or distribution of food containers containing polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam.

“When you take food to go, you may dispose of the containers in several minutes. However, if the disposable container is made of polystyrene, it can remain in our environment for many years. Styrene food packaging contains harmful chemicals that can leach into food, especially if the food is hot or acidic," said Fine (D-Glenview). "Polystyrene food containers do not break down naturally in the environment, and pieces of these containers are often found in our waterways and aquatic life.”

In 2023, Fine passed the Degradable Plastic Act to ban state agencies and universities from purchasing or using polystyrene by Jan. 1, 2025. Building on these efforts, Senate Bill 1531 would prohibit the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam food containers across Illinois starting Jan. 1, 2030.

Read more: Fine: Eliminating harmful polystyrene food containers moves us closer to environmental safety goals

Edly-Allen backed measure to protect domestic violence survivors using workplace resources

Details
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 03:15 PM

Annas Law

SPRINGFIELD – Domestic violence is a serious public health issue across the United States. In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner, leading State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to collaborate with State Representative Daniel Didech on House Bill 1278.

“Victims of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This bill can - and will - save lives, and I am proud to carry this legislation through the Senate.”

House Bill 1278 provides that employees can use work devices to document or communicate about violence affecting them or their family, and must be given access to related files if needed for legal action. Employers must post a notice about this right.

Read more: Edly-Allen backed measure to protect domestic violence survivors using workplace resources

Johnson advances measure to remove financial barriers for student teachers

Details
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 01:59 PM

johnson 043025SPRINGFIELD — Future educators  may soon see new opportunities for fair compensation thanks to State Senator Adriane Johnson. House Bill 3528, which recently passed the House, would change the Illinois School Code to ensure that institutions of higher education cannot require student teachers to work without pay.

“Student teachers are doing real work in real classrooms, and they deserve the chance to be compensated,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “This measure doesn’t require payment, but it removes outdated policies that flat-out prohibit it. That opens the door for school districts, nonprofits, or other partners to offer stipends or wages if they choose.”

While the measure will not mandate that universities or school districts pay student teachers, it explicitly prohibits any policy that bars such payment. By doing so, it creates legal space for compensation models to emerge and evolve—particularly in high-need areas.

Read more: Johnson advances measure to remove financial barriers for student teachers

Cervantes, advocates call for more funding for underserved schools

Details
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 10:26 AM

Cervantes with students supporting full evidence-based funding

SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes joined parents, students, and advocates to call for more funding for the evidence-based funding model in the state budget.

“All Illinois students deserve AP courses, STEM labs, up-to-date gymnasiums, after school programs and more,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “When we do not provide enough extra money for our evidence-based funding model, we are letting our children down and behind in their development. I was proud to stand in solidarity with Advance Illinois advocates to call for more funding for EBF in our state’s budget in their recent rally, and plan to continue championing their cause.”

Since 2017, Illinois has adopted an evidence-based funding model for education, which revolutionized the way school districts receive the bulk of state funds. EBF sends more resources to Illinois’ most under-resourced students and takes the first steps toward ensuring all schools have the resources they need to provide a safe, rigorous, and well-rounded learning environment for all students. The implementation of this model reflects that it is important for Illinois to apply a more realistic understanding of the relationship between equity, adequacy, and student outcomes, and create a future with more equitable results.​​

Read more: Cervantes, advocates call for more funding for underserved schools

More Articles …

  1. AEDs could be required in nursing homes under Turner measure
  2. Lightford to put an end to resident dumping
  3. Turner: Teachers’ mental health is important too
  4. Simmons: New PrEP HIV prevention initiative supports healthy communities
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15

Page 11 of 677

Follow ILSenDems

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Sign up for the Majority Report

Laws Going Into Effect 2025

Employment Opportunities

Find Your Senator

Senate Schedule

Bills & Resolutions

Member News

  • Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit
    Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit
    SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring middle school students receive equal opportunity to earn high school credits, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with the option to earn high school credit for high...

    Read more...

  • Senate approves Morrison bill to crack down on deadly street drug
    Senate approves Morrison bill to crack down on deadly street drug
    SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose de...

    Read more...

  • Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees
    Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees
    SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about t...

    Read more...

  • Morrison prioritizes student safety with school bus seat belt legislation
    Morrison prioritizes student safety with school bus seat belt legislation
    SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses. “We teach children at a young age...

    Read more...

  • Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions
    Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions
    SPRINGFIELD – To offer clarity for patients and pharmacies, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to ease restrictions on medication containing ephedrine – a drug commonly used to treat allergies and low blood pressure – if it is prescri...

    Read more...

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE

phone(217) 782-2728

phone309 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Senate Floor, Illinois State Capitol, Springfield, IL

Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube
CHICAGO OFFICE

phone(312) 814-2075

phone160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601