Cunningham, Hurley: Officers show up for our communities every day, it’s now time we show up for them

Senator Cunningham and Representative Hurley lead legislation to end what some call “inhumane” scheduling practices at CPD

CHICAGO – In the last month alone, three Chicago police officers devastatingly lost their lives to suicide – leading wellness professionals to call the department’s practice of canceling days off as “inhumane.”

State Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Fran Hurley are sponsoring measures to require the City of Chicago to give police officers a minimum of one day off each week – a move they hope will lead to a better work-life balance and, in turn, help officers prioritize their mental health.

“The overwhelming stress officers face combined with a lack of time off has become detrimental to their mental health,” said Cunningham, who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest suburbs. “This practice of canceling days off isn’t just unfair, it’s harmful.”

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Fine: New 9-8-8 helpline launches Saturday, July 16

GLENVIEW – The new 9-8-8 crisis line for mental health and substance use emergencies is launching Saturday, July 16. This new helpline will provide people in a mental health crisis with necessary supports.                                                

“The past two years have been an overwhelming time for many Illinoisans, and some feel like they are struggling alone,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview). “9-8-8 is an expanded resource to assist people experiencing mental health issues. I encourage anyone feeling anxious or depressed to dial 9-8-8 for local support, because a caring voice or a listening ear can make all the difference during times of stress.”

9-8-8 is a 24-hour hotline for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Individuals in need can dial 9-8-8 and be connected with a trained mental health professional who can help provide assistance. The hotline is a free, confidential service.

Read more: Fine: New 9-8-8 helpline launches Saturday, July 16

Senator Morrison visits Washington in an effort to combat gun violence at the national level

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One week ago, State Senator Julie Morrison and hundreds of Highland Park residents ran for their lives as a gunman opened fire on a 4^th of July parade, killing seven and wounding dozens of others.

“As days have passed, each of us in the community have felt pain. In a town of about 30,000 people, almost everyone knows someone who has been affected,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “No matter where you go in the city, you’re reminded of the tragic loss of life. Our town is now on the map with Buffalo, Uvalde and so many other towns across this nation that have been stricken by heinous gun violence in recent months.”

In the days since, Morrison has worked around the clock to bring more awareness to the state’s Red Flag Law – which she championed in 2018 – and discuss potential legislative action – both federally and at the state level – which she believes will put an end to the gun violence epidemic taking place across the nation. On Monday, Morrison was invited to the White House for a ceremony regarding the signing of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“In today’s America, just as the nation begins to heal from one attack, another ensues. How much longer can we sit back silently and only offer thoughts and prayers without real, tangible solutions,” Morrison said. “We must work together – both at the national and state level – on a solution to end these vicious attacks.”

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Castro welcomes over $1.2 million in grants for local parks

ELGIN – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Cristina Castro announced funding for investments in four local parks and forest preserves in Cook and Kane Counties.

“Spending time outdoors has many benefits, from encouraging people to be physically active to improving cognitive function and memory,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “By making critical improvements to our local parks and outdoor spaces, we are prioritizing the overall well-being of our residents.”

Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

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