Turner: Protections from funeral home negligence long overdue
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would hold funeral homes accountable by reestablishing integrity and trust in the death care industry. Her legislation, Senate Bill 2643, comes in response to a Carlinville funeral home insufficiently handling human remains, giving over 60 families the wrong remains.
“The status quo isn’t working. Dead or alive, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I’m committed to holding bad actors accountable. No family should receive the dreaded call that they were given the wrong remains.”
Senate Bill 2643 would add identification rules and regulations for the handling and storing of human bodies. When the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation receives a complaint, the agency would be required to inspect the premises within 10 calendar days.
Read more: Turner: Protections from funeral home negligence long overdue
Koehler, Hunter highlight Illinois Works Bid Credit Program
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CHICAGO – State Senators Dave Koehler and Mattie Hunter are highlighting the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program, a key component of the state's comprehensive strategy to enhance equity and access in capital construction employment through the Illinois Works Jobs Program.
“Illinois’ greatest asset is its people, and through the Bid Credit Program, the State of Illinois is providing incentives to contractors who hire within our world-class workforce,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The Illinois Works Jobs Program is essential to promoting diversity and increasing opportunity for Illinoisans throughout the state.”
The Illinois Works Bid Credit Program caters to contractors engaged in or seeking involvement in State of Illinois-funded capital projects. It offers eligible contractors the chance to earn bid credits by hiring and retaining graduates of the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. These programs collectively seek to cultivate a pipeline of skilled and diverse candidates to fill new job opportunities created by the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
Read more: Koehler, Hunter highlight Illinois Works Bid Credit Program
Sims law ends predatory pawnbroker practices
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SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law led by State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., the pawnbroker industry will now have enhanced oversight to ensure it is being fair, transparent and equitable.
“Working with consumer advocates and other interested stakeholders, we passed a comprehensive plan to ensure transparency and ethical practices within the pawnbroker industry,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The Predatory Loan Prevention Act stopped many forms of predatory lending in Illinois, and we are working to continue down that path.”
Sims’ law creates the Pawnbrokers Regulation Act of 2023, regulating how a pawnbroker can operate and conduct its operations to ensure they are being fair, transparent, and equitable. It gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authority to oversee and regulate the industry. Further, it establishes a complaint and penalty system, which could result in the termination or suspension of a pawnbroker’s license.
Ellman to reduce light pollution with responsible lighting standards
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SPRINGFIELD – Excess light emitted at night – from buildings to street lights – poses serious harm and risk to birds, insects and people across the state. To address the negative impact on Illinoisans and wildlife, State Senator Laura Ellman is working to reduce light pollution by establishing outdoor lighting control requirements.
“Birds, insects and people all experience the harsh effects of bright lights in our environment and our night sky,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “By regulating future lighting projects in our state, we aim to diminish the disruptions to migrating birds across our Mississippi flyway, restore nocturnal insects’ natural cycles in the environment, and prevent humans from feeling the effects of blue light on their vision.”
Light pollution refers to the brightening of the night sky by man-made light sources, including street lights and buildings. Excessive light in our night sky causes a variety of issues, such as interfering with bird migration, nocturnal insects and our optical health.
Read more: Ellman to reduce light pollution with responsible lighting standards
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