Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Castro advances legislation for local oversight of charter schools

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Cristina Castro advanced a plan to establish a pilot program for local school charter authorization.

“Accountability should be at the forefront when making decisions about students’ education,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Having educational decision makers with their ears to the ground will allow them to better advocate for students’ needs.”

The vast majority of charter schools in Illinois are locally authorized – meaning they apply directly for authorization with their local school board. State-authorized charter schools apply for authorization through the Illinois State Board of Education rather than their local school board. Because current law does not allow school board oversight of state-authorized charter schools, Castro’s legislation aims to create a pilot program to provide this mechanism for two suburban state-authorized charter schools.

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Johnson’s measure to improve educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals with disabilities passes

SPRINGFIELD – To remove barriers to education, employment and training for incarcerated individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, State Senator Adriane Johnson has advanced House Bill 1810.

“People with disabilities who are incarcerated deserve the same opportunity to learn valuable skills and prepare for the future as anyone else,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).  “Expanding access to education and employment programs promotes dignity, rehabilitation and long-term public safety.”

House Bill 1810 would require reasonable accommodation for incarcerated individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including waiving standardized testing requirements for entry into educational, vocational and work programs. Participation in these programs through a waiver would also qualify individuals for earned sentence credit, helping reduce recidivism and support reintegration.

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Johnson’s life-saving training requirement measure passes

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Adriane Johnson’s measure to require athletic head coaches to learn life-saving techniques has passed.

“Coaches are often the first adult to respond when a medical emergency happens during a practice or competition,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between life and death giving someone experiencing cardiac arrest a critical chance to survive until first responders arrive.”

House Bill 3275 would require all paid school head coaches and chief sponsors of the sports activities to obtain training in CPR, first aid and the use of an AED. School districts would be required to conduct an annual cardiac response drill to practice the steps established in its cardiac emergency response plan. The drills would be able to be conducted without student participation.

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Villivalam advances measure expanding transparency on toxic chemicals found in wastewater

SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would pave the way for increased data, transparency and accountability on toxic polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” – in wastewater.

“Toxic chemicals are being run off into wastewater facilities – leaving communities at risk for adverse health effects,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Without the proper tools and framework, wastewater treatment facilities have no way of understanding, regulating and eliminating these chemicals in their facilities.”

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