Preston measure expanding advocate information for families of students with disabilities signed into law

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Willie Preston spearheaded a new law to expand requirements for school districts to notify families of students with disabilities of advocates experienced in Individualized Education Programs.

“This legislation ensures that families know what services are available to them as they help their child navigate the educational space,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “All students deserve a fair and just education experience.”

House Bill 1366 will ensure that all parental notification for IEP meetings inform parents that they may invite other individuals to assist who have knowledge or special expertise regarding  the child. Some examples of the individuals may include stepparents, relatives, doctors, therapists or nurses.

Read more: Preston measure expanding advocate information for families of students with disabilities signed...

Hunter champions law to ensure hospital patients can designate an emergency contact

SPRINGFIELD — Further ensuring patients have a chance to designate an emergency contact when seeking care, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Mattie Hunter will require hospitals to offer an opportunity to provide contact information.

“No one should have to worry about informing providers or staff about who to contact in case of emergency when seeking the care they need,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It is important for hospitals to have a protocol in place to collect the information they need about an emergency contact without burdening the patient to remember to provide it.”

Read more: Hunter champions law to ensure hospital patients can designate an emergency contact

Illinois to track and record firefighters’ causes of death under new Castro law

SPRINGFIELD — Recognizing the heightened risk of cancer, trauma-related mental health conditions and other illnesses faced by firefighters, Illinois will begin to track and record firefighters’ causes of death under a new law led by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“This is about transparency for the families of fallen firefighters, and it’s about helping the state understand what we can do better to protect the first responders who put their lives on the line every day,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Whether a tragedy happens from injuries in the line of duty or from the lasting effects of firefighting over time, this data will shed light on where current gaps exist so we can intervene.”

Read more: Illinois to track and record firefighters’ causes of death under new Castro law

New law from Peters strengthens state’s violence prevention efforts

SPRINGFIELD — Community violence prevention programs save lives, but to be effective, they need long-term support and flexibility. Thanks to a new law from State Senator Robert Peters, efforts to curb firearm violence in the state are holding strong by giving organizations more time to access critical resources and improving the way the state coordinates its response.

“We must empower community violence prevention programs with the tools they need to focus on their core mission: saving lives and creating safer areas for our residents to live,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This law continues the momentum we’ve been building to address the root causes of firearm violence and invest in prevention and intervention.”

Read more: New law from Peters strengthens state’s violence prevention efforts