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Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus condemns DHS Secretary’s Springfield visit

Senate Democrats honor fallen police officers at Springfield ceremony

Senate Democrats honor fallen police officers at Springfield ceremony

Illinois Senate Democrats commemorate local parks

Illinois Senate Democrats commemorate local parks

Morrison applauds $23 million investment in Vantive’s new Deerfield headquarters

Morrison applauds $23 million investment in Vantive’s new Deerfield headquarters

Fine outlines plan to test baby food for toxic heavy metals

Fine outlines plan to test baby food for toxic heavy metals

Villanueva implements legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 03:34 PM

Villanueva floor may copy

 

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Villanueva championed legislation that allows charter schools to unionize without being penalized by management of the charter school.

“Employees of charter schools should never be made to feel like their voices do not matter and their teaching is not important,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “All teachers play a vital role in the educational success of our state’s students.” 

House Bill 1120 is an initiative of the Chicago Teachers' Union that seeks to ensure that if the staff at a charter school chooses to form a union, the management of the charter school will not interfere.

Read more: Villanueva implements legislation that ensures charter schools can unionize

Simmons passes legislation protecting youth survivors of gender violence and human trafficking

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 03:33 PM

Sen. Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons advanced a measure to protect minors who are survivors of human trafficking, and other trauma-related factors, from being tried as adults in a number of criminal court cases.

“Survivors of human trafficking should be provided support and empathy,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “For decades our court systems have failed our youth. It is especially shocking and defies logic that youth who have been forced into abusive relationships and who have been traumatized end up being tried as felons. Trying survivors who are defending themselves while escaping their abusers adds to the trauma they’ve experienced. This is not a humane or civil response to a child who has experienced horrific abuse.”

Inspired by a survivor of child trafficking, Sara Kruzan, who was released and pardoned after being sentenced to life at 17 years of age, House Bill 3414 would reform the justice system to clarify whether a minor should be tried as an adult if the crime the minor commits is against someone who was convicted of human trafficking or of a sex crime targeting the minor within the last three years. If that is the case, the court would be able to transfer them to juvenile court.

Read more: Simmons passes legislation protecting youth survivors of gender violence and human trafficking

Senate Democrats lace up for cancer awareness

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 03:06 PM

Suits and Sneakers Day

SPRINGFIELD – In the final weeks of spring legislation session, the Illinois Senate Democrats sported sneakers in place of dress shoes to raise awareness of cancer prevention, screening and early detection.

“Today we are wearing suits and sneakers for cancer awareness. This day is to help raise visibility and funds to support the American Cancer Society’s work of supporting those with cancer,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “As chair of the Public Health Committee, I will continue to stand up and fight to improve our state’s health care for those who need it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 42% of newly diagnosed cancers in the United States, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, are potentially avoidable. Screening can help prevent and detect some cancers early, when treatment is less invasive and more successful.

Read more: Senate Democrats lace up for cancer awareness

Peters champions change to earned sentence credit methods

Details
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 02:48 PM

Sen. Peters

SPRINGFIELD – Time served in county jail could soon be included as part of the minimum 60-day sentence required to earn discretionary sentence credit, thanks to State Senator Robert Peters.

“The mission of the Department of Corrections includes promoting progressive change for incarcerated individuals,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Granting sentence credit to those who have participated in rehabilitation programs is not only in line with the mission of the Department of Corrections, but it reimagines the way we envision jails. Instead of correctional facilities, they should be treated as true rehabilitation centers.”

House Bill 3026 would change the Unified Code of Corrections to include time served in county jail as part of the minimum 60-day sentence required before the Director of Corrections may award discretionary earned sentence credit.

Read more: Peters champions change to earned sentence credit methods

More Articles …

  1. Senate Democrats push measures to make health care more accessible
  2. Morrison measure to ban e-cigarettes indoors heads to the governor
  3. Peters creates Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act
  4. Hunter advances bill to track SNAP benefit fraud in Illinois
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  • Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit
    Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit
    SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring middle school students receive equal opportunity to earn high school credits, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with the option to earn high school credit for high...

    Read more...

  • Senate approves Morrison bill to crack down on deadly street drug
    Senate approves Morrison bill to crack down on deadly street drug
    SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose de...

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  • Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees
    Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees
    SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about t...

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  • Morrison prioritizes student safety with school bus seat belt legislation
    Morrison prioritizes student safety with school bus seat belt legislation
    SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses. “We teach children at a young age...

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  • Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions
    Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions
    SPRINGFIELD – To offer clarity for patients and pharmacies, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to ease restrictions on medication containing ephedrine – a drug commonly used to treat allergies and low blood pressure – if it is prescri...

    Read more...

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Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
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