Simmons addresses the pressing needs of youth experiencing homelessness
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed legislation through the Senate aimed at improving access to affordable housing for young people experiencing homelessness, particularly those struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse.
“This bill is directly informed by community partners and constituents who have told us many young people age out of programs and services when they turn 18, putting them in limbo for additional support services until they turn 21,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By lowering the eligibility age to 18, we can help more young people when they need it most preventing future housing insecurity and instability.”
The Housing is Recovery pilot program seeks to provide affordable housing through a combination of rental subsidies and access to recovery support services or treatment for individuals contending with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Read more: Simmons addresses the pressing needs of youth experiencing homelessness
Peters advances legislation creating fairer and impartial systems for domestic violence survivors
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SPRINGFIELD — Aimed at helping more survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation dealing with re-sentencing rules for survivors and options for safe living situations.
“Survivors must have better protections under the law so they can escape dangerous situations,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Survivors need to feel they can trust our justice system and be empowered to seek safety from abusive situations.”
After the Illinois Supreme Court made a decision in People v. Wells that re-sentencing does not apply to individuals who pled guilty – even if they’re survivors of domestic violence or sexual violence – Peters introduced Senate Bill 3285. The bill lets survivors who took a plea deal ask for lighter sentences or have their charges reversed. The goal is to make things fairer for survivors in the justice system and to push for fewer survivors being locked up because they felt forced to take plea deals.
Toro enhances safety in bike lanes
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SPRINGFIELD —There is a growing need for protections for cyclists in State Senator Natalie Toro’s community – especially after a 16-year-old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike. In response, she passed a measure through the Senate Friday to enhance bike lane safety.
“Our current biking infrastructure often values their safety and lives less than money by refusing to invest in projects to protect cyclists and pedestrians,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “We need to encourage local governments to rethink these priorities and take steps to keep cyclists safe.”
Cyclists frequently use maps of existing bike lanes when planning safe routes to ride. However, under existing law, “bike lanes” have a variety of definitions—including lanes safely blocked off from motor traffic with barriers, but also lanes only separated by drawn lines that may be utilized by parked cars or people pulling over. Without more transparency about the safety features of designated “bike lanes,” cyclists may choose routes without knowing they may be much closer to motorists without barriers to protect them—lanes that report significantly more accidents and injuries to bikers.
Morrison measure to increase resources for gambling disorders passes Senate
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SPRINGFIELD – The prevalence of gambling is on the rise and with it has come an increase in addictive gambling behaviors. State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services for people who experience problem gambling.
“Like many drugs, gambling activates an addictive part of our brain,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “People who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve the same help and treatment as someone with a drug dependency.”
With expanded access to gambling, the Illinois Department of Human Services found that 68% of adults in the state reported gambling in the past year. Approximately 383,000 people across the state are considered to have a gambling problem and 761,000 people are at risk for developing a gambling problem. By recognizing gambling problems as disorders, Senate Bill 3410 will enable DHS to coordinate prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Read more: Morrison measure to increase resources for gambling disorders passes Senate
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