Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

New Castro law to ban cellphones in classrooms

ELGIN — To strengthen student engagement and support academic success, a new law championed by State Senator Cristina Castro will create a statewide school cellphone ban, helping schools foster distraction-free learning environments.

“Teachers should not have to compete with a cellphone for a student’s attention,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By removing this distraction from the classroom, we are giving educators a better opportunity to engage students and help them succeed.” 

Read more: New Castro law to ban cellphones in classrooms

Turner law strengthens school policies for service animals

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner will strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.

“Students with service animals will no longer face setbacks because of a lack of understanding of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure students feel welcome at school, no matter their needs.”

Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Bill 2761 will set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive. 

Read more: Turner law strengthens school policies for service animals

Loughran Cappel law to allow full-time licenses for paraprofessionals with short-term approval licenses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law that lets paraprofessionals who have a short-term approval license get a full license after their short-term license expires.

“Illinois’ teacher shortage is impacting children’s ability to learn,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “When we invest in the people already showing up for our students every day, we don’t just fill classrooms – we build careers, strengthen communities and deepen the roots of education from the inside out.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel law to allow full-time licenses for paraprofessionals with short-term approval...

Morrison law ensures schools can respond to hypoglycemic emergencies

SPRINGFIELD — A new law led by State Senator Julie Morrison will ensure schools can provide undesignated prescription glucagon to students with diabetes suffering from a hypoglycemic emergency.

“Diabetes requires lifelong, timely and attentive maintenance to ensure proper blood sugar levels,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Hypoglycemic emergencies can happen at any time – it is imperative that we equip school professionals with the resources and training needed to assist during a health emergency.”

Read more: Morrison law ensures schools can respond to hypoglycemic emergencies