Simmons advances worker’s rights bill to extend deadline to seek remedy for workplace human rights violations
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SPRINGFIELD – To secure a border scope of accountability for protecting human rights, State Senator Mike Simmons advanced legislation to extend the deadline for filing human rights violations in the workplace and public accommodations.
“Extending the statute of limitations for filing civil rights violations is crucial for violations that are traumatizing,” said Simmons (D–Chicago). “It provides a better path to relief for those who have been harmed.”
Under Simmons' new legislation, Senate Bill 3310, the deadline for filing and seeking redress for a civil rights violation in employment and public accommodations will be extended from three hundred days to two years.
Simmons addresses the pressing needs of youth experiencing homelessness
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons passed legislation through the Senate aimed at improving access to affordable housing for young people experiencing homelessness, particularly those struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse.
“This bill is directly informed by community partners and constituents who have told us many young people age out of programs and services when they turn 18, putting them in limbo for additional support services until they turn 21,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “By lowering the eligibility age to 18, we can help more young people when they need it most preventing future housing insecurity and instability.”
The Housing is Recovery pilot program seeks to provide affordable housing through a combination of rental subsidies and access to recovery support services or treatment for individuals contending with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Read more: Simmons addresses the pressing needs of youth experiencing homelessness
Peters advances legislation creating fairer and impartial systems for domestic violence survivors
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SPRINGFIELD — Aimed at helping more survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation dealing with re-sentencing rules for survivors and options for safe living situations.
“Survivors must have better protections under the law so they can escape dangerous situations,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Survivors need to feel they can trust our justice system and be empowered to seek safety from abusive situations.”
After the Illinois Supreme Court made a decision in People v. Wells that re-sentencing does not apply to individuals who pled guilty – even if they’re survivors of domestic violence or sexual violence – Peters introduced Senate Bill 3285. The bill lets survivors who took a plea deal ask for lighter sentences or have their charges reversed. The goal is to make things fairer for survivors in the justice system and to push for fewer survivors being locked up because they felt forced to take plea deals.
Toro enhances safety in bike lanes
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SPRINGFIELD —There is a growing need for protections for cyclists in State Senator Natalie Toro’s community – especially after a 16-year-old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike. In response, she passed a measure through the Senate Friday to enhance bike lane safety.
“Our current biking infrastructure often values their safety and lives less than money by refusing to invest in projects to protect cyclists and pedestrians,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “We need to encourage local governments to rethink these priorities and take steps to keep cyclists safe.”
Cyclists frequently use maps of existing bike lanes when planning safe routes to ride. However, under existing law, “bike lanes” have a variety of definitions—including lanes safely blocked off from motor traffic with barriers, but also lanes only separated by drawn lines that may be utilized by parked cars or people pulling over. Without more transparency about the safety features of designated “bike lanes,” cyclists may choose routes without knowing they may be much closer to motorists without barriers to protect them—lanes that report significantly more accidents and injuries to bikers.
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