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Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcome investments in reproductive health care
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcome investments in reproductive health care
Senate Democrats: Grant applications available for $15 million to boost Illinois’ tourism industry
Senate Democrats: Grant applications available for $15 million to boost Illinois’ tourism industry
Senate Democrats highlight upcoming 10-day back-to-school shopping tax holiday
Senate Democrats highlight upcoming 10-day back-to-school shopping tax holiday
Senate Democrats announce $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funds for affordable housing preservation
Senate Democrats announce $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funds for affordable housing preservation
Senator Kris Tharp: I’m eager to serve
Senator Kris Tharp: I’m eager to serve

Morrison law to study potential threat of microplastics

Details
Published: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 07:32 AM

microplastics

SPRINGFIELD – A proposal by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) to study the potential threat of microplastics was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

“While the prevalence of microplastics is well known, the potential environmental and human health effects are not yet fully understood,” Morrison said. “With increasing levels of plastic being found in our waterways, it is of even greater importance to reduce consumption of plastics whenever possible.”

Morrison’s new law, contained in Senate Bill 1392, requires the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois-Champaign to study microplastics and the threat they may pose to human health and the environment.

Microplastics – very small pieces of plastic often undetectable to the human eye – have been discovered in bodies of water across the globe and have showed up in the digestive tracts of aquatic animals and birds.

Read more: Morrison law to study potential threat of microplastics

Governor signs Holmes’ animal welfare, cosmetics testing laws

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Published: Monday, August 12, 2019 05:40 AM

kittens

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes’ (D-Aurora) legislation to address a number of issues regarding animal shelters and foster groups, licensing fees and feral cat programs, as well as a measure to ban cosmetics testing on animals, have been signed into law.

Senate Bill 61 increases licensing fees and fines under the Department of Agriculture for the first time since 1971. It also changes rules regarding adopted dogs and cats and the facilities that provide foster homes and transport pets for adoption.

“This group of animal welfare measures brings several rescue and shelter issues up to date for Illinois,” Holmes said. “When I worked as a volunteer at the Humane Society, I learned how many pets find their forever homes through these facilities and fostering arrangements. This legislation can serve to increase the potential for that to happen while providing the Department of Agriculture with more resources to oversee these programs and facilities.”

In addition to increasing license fees and administrative fines, Senate Bill 61 as amended does the following:

  • Changes definitions of terms related to animal shelters, rescue and transport groups and their functions;
  • Addresses licensed animal groups’ Trap, Neuter, Release/Return (TNR) programs for sterilized and microchipped feral cats;
  • Clarifies the limits of two litters of animals under eight weeks old in foster homes; and
  • Removes a permit fee of $25 for foster homes.

Read more: Governor signs Holmes’ animal welfare, cosmetics testing laws

Steans law will update state’s suicide prevention strategy

Details
Published: Monday, August 12, 2019 03:54 AM

Sen. Heather A. Steans

SPRINGFIELD – A new law sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) that updates Illinois’ suicide prevention strategy was signed by the governor today.

Steans’ measure requires the Department of Public Health to strengthen efforts to prevent suicide in Illinois. In 2016, suicide caused more deaths than homicide, motor vehicle accidents, and prevalent diseases like liver disease, hypertension, and HIV.

“When suicide takes a loved one from us, we’re left wondering ‘What could I have done?’” Steans said. “By partnering with advocates and devoting state resources in support of all our knowledge about how to prevent suicide, we’re doing what we can do right now.”

Steans’ law requires the department, working with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, to develop recommendations to prevent suicide using evidence based practices and promote any coordinating activity needed to implement them.

“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention thanks Senator Steans for guiding this bill through the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for signing it into law,” said Steve Moore, the Co-Chair of the Illinois Chapter of the AFSP. “As the 11th leading cause of death in Illinois, suicide is a serious but preventable public health issue. By creating an effective state government structure for addressing suicide, the enactment of this law will save lives.”

Read more: Steans law will update state’s suicide prevention strategy

Murphy’s new law adds extra protection for domestic violence victims

Details
Published: Thursday, August 08, 2019 03:38 AM

Sen. Laura Murphy

DES PLAINES – A measure that was signed into law today will add an extra protection for victims of domestic violence, thanks to Des Plaines Democrat State Senator Laura Murphy.

Senate Bill 399 will allow an address to be omitted from documents filed in court if disclosing the address would risk abuse or harm. The victim will also be protected from having to include a domestic violence safe house address or an address that was changed as a result of a protective order.

“It’s already hard enough for victims to take that first step and get out of their situation,” Murphy said. “They shouldn’t have to live in fear of their address being released after being brave enough to get away. I am happy to see this signed into law.”

Murphy introduced her measure in response to an incident where a judge included the address of a domestic violence safe house in a court order between the abuser and the victim regarding custody over their child.

Senate Bill 399 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

  1. New law protects rights of living organ donors
  2. Sims effort to boost Illinois’ standing in film and TV industry becomes law
  3. Bennett’s landmark legislation to clean up coal ash becomes law
  4. Tom Cullerton measure to raise penalties for construction zone car accidents now law

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Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcome investments in reproductive health care
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus welcome investments in reproductive health care
SPRINGFIELD – As states across the country roll back protections on reproductive rights, member of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus continue to support investments in the health system to support...

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The Majority Report 08/01/22 - A boost for Illinois tourism
The Majority Report 08/01/22 - A boost for Illinois tourism
Grant applications available to boost Illinois' tourism industry SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding to support the tourism sector across the state,...

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Feigenholtz: $15 million in additional funding is game changing for festivals and local tourism
Feigenholtz: $15 million in additional funding is game changing for festivals and local tourism
CHICAGO – In an effort to provide additional support to the tourism sector across Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding through the...

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Senate Democrats: Grant applications available for $15 million to boost Illinois’ tourism industry
Senate Democrats: Grant applications available for $15 million to boost Illinois’ tourism industry
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $15 million in funding to support the tourism sector across the state, and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus...

Read more

The Majority Report 07/25/22 - Prioritizing safety
The Majority Report 07/25/22 - Prioritizing safety
Aquino leads measure to ban assault weapons in Illinois CHICAGO – Alongside Uvalde, Buffalo, and a sadly increasing number of cities across the nation, Highland Park joined the map of yet...

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Senate Democrats highlight upcoming 10-day back-to-school shopping tax holiday
Senate Democrats highlight upcoming 10-day back-to-school shopping tax holiday
SPRINGFIELD – Working families and teachers will see lower back-to-school shopping costs ahead of the start of the school year, thanks to an initiative led by the Senate Democratic Caucus. “As...

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