Villanueva protects warehouse workers

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva passed a measure strengthening warehouse worker protections by ensuring employers are disclosing the quotas are required to meet.

“Every warehouse worker deserves a safe workplace where meeting quotas doesn’t come at the cost of their health,” said Senator Villanueva (D-Chicago). “Stronger protections ensure that productivity never outweighs people.”

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Castro continues protecting Illinois workers from retaliation

SPRINGFIELD — During the early January legislative session, State Senator Cristina Castro continued her work standing up on behalf of workers and passing a measure to prohibit retaliation against employees who exercise their rights in the workplace.

“No one deserves to have their livelihood taken away because they attempted to exercise their rights in the workplace,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “These changes will enhance enforcement of our labor laws, safeguarding workers’ rights to break and rest periods in a reasonable working environment.”

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Turner applauds funding to improve behavioral health center in district

DECATUR – State Senator Doris Turner joined the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in announcing $200 million in funding to transform health care delivery and improve health outcomes in the state.

“Having the ability to provide adequate behavioral health services in the Decatur community and beyond is a huge step in the right direction,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Heritage Behavioral Health Center improves the mental and physical well-being of those they serve and now they will be able to help more people.”

The Healthcare Transformation Capital Improvement grants will build on HFS’ equity-driven Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, which was established in 2021. The goals of the HTC program are to expand access to care and improve health equity, especially in underserved communities, by leveraging shared resources among collaborative partners to create locally-driven solutions.

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Senate Democrats praise new Medicaid coverage for certified doula and lactation consultant services

CHICAGO - State Senators Mattie Hunter and Cristina Castro celebrated the announcement of the availability of new perinatal doula and lactation consultant services pregnant and postpartum individuals who are enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program.

“Doulas and lactation consultants provide vital support that helps improve the overall health of mothers and their babies,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “By expanding coverage of these services, we are making essential care more attainable for families.”

This coverage will further expand maternal and child health coverage, by ensuring all individuals are supported throughout their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience.

Read more: Senate Democrats praise new Medicaid coverage for certified doula and lactation consultant services