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Hastings school safety measure “Alyssa’s Law” passes in committee

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is advancing legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis.

“As a dad, school safety isn’t abstract to me, it’s personal,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Schools should have reliable, straightforward tools that help protect our kids and give staff a direct line to law enforcement and emergency services.”

House Bill 5107 would require school districts and private schools to consider the use of a mobile panic alert system in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans by the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.

Read more: Hastings school safety measure “Alyssa’s Law” passes in committee

Hunter advances measure to expand coverage for genetic testing

CHICAGO — State Senator Mattie Hunter is leading a measure to prohibit cost-sharing on the coverage of clinical genetic testing.

“Early detection saves lives,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “When we remove financial barriers to genetic testing, we empower patients to take proactive steps before a diagnosis becomes a crisis.”

Read more: Hunter advances measure to expand coverage for genetic testing

Holmes’ growing list of banned species wrangles exploited wild animals away from traveling exhibitors

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Linda Holmes continues to lead measures to restrict species from owners of traveling animal acts by adding more specific breeds to the list of wildlife banned for this use.

“In 2017, I passed legislation to ban the use of elephants in circuses and other traveling exhibitions that cannot provide the animals adequate living conditions, and we have added more and more species to the ban over the years,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “These animals spend most of their lives in cramped, filthy cages under severe and chronic stress. This cruelty must stop.”

House Bill 4255 would add specific breeds to the offense of unlawful use of animals in traveling acts to include cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, non-human primates, bears, and all elephants, not just endangered species. It also adds any hybrids of these animals. Anyone knowingly using a covered animal would be committing a Class A misdemeanor.

Read more: Holmes’ growing list of banned species wrangles exploited wild animals away from traveling...

Senate Democrats honor fallen firefighters at annual memorial

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus attended the 33rd annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony Tuesday.

“Firefighters do far more than battle flames—they are first responders, rescuers, mentors and pillars of strength in our communities,” said State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). “We mourn those who gave their lives in the line of duty and recognize the profound impact they had on the communities they served. Their sacrifice is a powerful reminder of the dedication and humanity that define the fire service.”

The Illinois Firefighter Memorial honors the courageous firefighters of Illinois who have valiantly given their lives in the line of duty, as well as those who continue to serve with courage, pride and honor. The ceremony also gives families of fallen firefighters the Line of Duty Death Award in recognition of their loved ones’ bravery and resilience.

Read more: Senate Democrats honor fallen firefighters at annual memorial