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Turner law addresses police hiring practices in response to Sonya Massey murder

Turner law addresses police hiring practices in response to Sonya Massey murder

Drinking water for thousands of Illinoisans to be protected under Faraci law

Drinking water for thousands of Illinoisans to be protected under Faraci law

Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law

Ellman measure to strengthen Illinois gun storage becomes law

Collins law helps residents deal with criminal trespassing

Collins law helps residents deal with criminal trespassing

Lightford celebrates unveiling of Children’s Adversity Index to measure exposure to childhood trauma

Lightford celebrates unveiling of Children’s Adversity Index to measure exposure to childhood trauma

Equine therapy could be more accessible under Murphy proposal

Details
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 03:02 PM

Sen. Murphy

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy would make certain equine therapies more accessible by requiring health insurance coverage for the services.

“Offering coverage for equine therapy is a testament to the state’s commitment to personalized, patient-centered care,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “By allowing occupational therapists the flexibility to offer this service to their patients, they can meet the unique needs of their patients and enhance their quality of life and well-being.”

Equine therapy is a term that encompasses therapies that involve interacting with horses, including specific therapies used by physical, occupational and speech therapists to engage different sensory responses for patients. It has proven to be particularly effective with veterans with PTSD and children with autism.

Read more: Equine therapy could be more accessible under Murphy proposal

Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers

Details
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 02:28 PM

turner 030625SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through committee to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

“We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.”

Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be trained in telecommunicator-CPR and would require emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in T-CPR. T-CPR is when a dispatcher provides over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.

Read more: Turner advances measure to improve training for emergency medical dispatchers

Halpin’s bill to integrate the Quad Cities mental health system passes committee

Details
Wednesday, March 05, 2025 10:59 AM

Halpin SB188SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to support Rock Island mental facilities and vulnerable Iowa patients passed committee today.

“Health care access is a concern that crosses state lines,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Allowing Iowa patients to access Rock Island mental health infrastructure is a win-win, particularly with the quality care our facilities can provide.”

Senate Bill 188 would allow for Iowa involuntary in-patient admissions to be accepted at Rock Island County facilities in Illinois. Illinois law presently does not allow for involuntary admissions to cross state lines and patients may have to travel upwards of five hours away to receive care.

Read more: Halpin’s bill to integrate the Quad Cities mental health system passes committee

Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates

Details
Tuesday, March 04, 2025 06:35 PM

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SPRINGFIELD — To assist schools in scheduling major school or athletic events, State Senator Ram Villivalam is sponsoring a measure that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to provide calendar dates indicating when a portion of students may be absent due to cultural or religious reasons.

“Our communities are diverse, which means there are numerous days throughout the academic year where different students may be absent for cultural or religious reasons,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Yet students are having to make challenging decisions such as having to miss a sporting event because it was scheduled on a religious or cultural holiday.”

Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education provides a guide for school districts regarding attendance days, holidays, special circumstances and frequently asked questions about school calendars.

Read more: Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates

More Articles …

  1. Murphy’s measure aims to increase safety in school zones
  2. Feigenholtz advances measure to expand leave for short-term teachers
  3. Hastings advances measure to make schools safer
  4. Morrison fights for veterans’ food security
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  • Loughran Cappel law enhances efficiency by merging Southeast Joliet Sanitary District to city operations
    Loughran Cappel law enhances efficiency by merging Southeast Joliet Sanitary District to city operations
    SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will streamline local municipal services, allowing the city of Joliet to absorb the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District. “Joliet is well equipped to ensure a smooth transition between th...

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  • Peters’ law reinforces DCFS as family support agency
    Peters’ law reinforces DCFS as family support agency
    SPRINGFIELD — To reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters led a new law to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency. “Families who are in need of DCFS’ s...

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  • State commission to strengthen public health preparedness established under Morrison law
    State commission to strengthen public health preparedness established under Morrison law
    SPRINGFIELD — With increasing threats to public health emerging from the intersection of human, animal and environmental factors, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison will create the One Health Commission — a unique collaboration amo...

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  • Edly-Allen law creates certified therapy dog crisis response program
    Edly-Allen law creates certified therapy dog crisis response program
    SPRINGFIELD – The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a law that will increase the number of the...

    Read more...

  • Halpin bill to protect local auctioneers signed into law
    Halpin bill to protect local auctioneers signed into law
    SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s effort to protect rural auctioneers was signed into law Friday. “We are working to protect local and rural auctioneers from unregulated online auctions and give bidders peace of mind when they make their tran...

    Read more...

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Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
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