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Villivalam legislation gives those exonerated the ability to pass unused benefits on to spouses or children

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Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Friday, March 24, 2023 04:35 PM
  • Family
  • Villivalam
  • Benefits
  • SB 2426
  • Exonerated Persons

032423CM0852 Villivalam copy

 

SPRINGFIELD –  To give those who have been exonerated and are eligible for the Grant Program for Exonerated Persons more flexibility with their benefits, State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced legislation to allow those covered by the program to pass on unused benefits to dependent spouses or children.

“This gives people who have been wronged by the legal system and may not want to use all of their grant benefits the ability to pass them on to someone in their family who may benefit more,” Villivalam said. “Wrongful convictions are devastating for families, and this legislation gives more agency to how exonerated persons can use their benefits and ensures that their benefits are not going wasted.”

Under the current law, individuals who receive a gubernatorial pardon on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which they were imprisoned, or have received a certificate of innocence from a court, are eligible for the Grant Program for Exonerees. The grant can cover the cost of obtaining a high school equivalency certificate, pay tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate or graduate study at Illinois public universities, and can be used for four regular school years of full time enrollment.

Read more: Villivalam legislation gives those exonerated the ability to pass unused benefits on to spouses or...

Faraci measure to recognize Senator Scott Bennett’s public service heads to House

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Category: Senator Paul Faraci News
Friday, March 24, 2023 04:11 PM
  • ABLE Program
  • Senator Scott Bennett
  • Faraci
  • SB2247

faraci 032423SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure to rename and expand the ABLE Account Program in honor of the late Senator Scott Bennett passed the Senate on Thursday.

“People living with disabilities and their families were a top priority for Senator Bennett, who was a strong advocate and voice for those who didn’t always have one,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “To honor his legacy, renaming the ABLE Account Program was one of my priorities to ensure his work service and commitment to bettering the lives of those around him is remembered for years to come.”

The program, created and passed by Senator Scott Bennett during the 99th General Assembly, allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for expenses related to living with a disability without losing access to certain federal government assistance. Under Faraci’s legislation, the ABLE Account Program would be renamed to the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program.

Read more: Faraci measure to recognize Senator Scott Bennett’s public service heads to House

Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of days a birth parent has to reconsider

Details
Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
Friday, March 24, 2023 04:07 PM
  • Slideshow
  • Adoption
  • Feigenholtz
  • SB1999
  • Biological Parent

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz assures that Medicaid covers any newborn relinquished under the Act. It also extends the time of notice that the police or fire department can inform a parent to share information of the hospital the child was transported to.

“Senate Bill 1999 not only ensures that abandoned infants can receive Medicaid immediately once they arrive at the hospital, but also creates a path for biological parents to reconsider their options,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

Changing the time period from 72 hours to 30 days will provide a biological parent additional time to consider other options, such as putting in place a traditional adoption plan with a child welfare agency or deciding to parent the child if possible.

Read more: Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of...

Simmons passes bill to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety

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Category: Senator Mike Simmons News
Friday, March 24, 2023 04:01 PM
  • IDOT
  • Simmons
  • Pedestrian and Bike Lanes
  • SB2014

simmons 032423SPRINGFIELD – To make our roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and riders of public transit, State Senator Mike Simmons passed a measure today requiring the Illinois Department of Transportation to make bike and pedestrian safety improvements to non-highway roadways under its jurisdiction whenever routine maintenance is being done on those roads.

“Biking along a path or road can be stressful enough when worrying about oncoming cards, especially for parents biking with their children,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This initiative will help ensure bike and pedestrian safety improvements are completed in tandem with routine work such as pothole or street lighting repairs.”

Read more: Simmons passes bill to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety

Senator Holmes advances measure to ensure safety for people and animals at roadside zoo facilities

Details
Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Friday, March 24, 2023 03:20 PM
  • Holmes
  • Public Safety
  • Roadside Zoos
  • Animal Welfare
  • SB1883

bear 042423SPRINGFIELD – Longtime animal welfare backer State Senator Linda Holmes passed a law in 2017 to prohibit the use of an elephant in a traveling animal act. On Friday, she moved legislation to further address public safety concerns with “roadside zoos” by creating a Class B misdemeanor for allowing a member of the public to come into contact with a bear or nonhuman primate.

“The public handling and show of these animals continues a cycle of endless breeding where they are born into captivity to be used as props and business commodities,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “They also may result in harm to the person or animal in such a situation — a risk that could create a terrible tragedy.”

Read more: Senator Holmes advances measure to ensure safety for people and animals at roadside zoo facilities

Joyce plan to encourage firefighter training passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Patrick Joyce News
Friday, March 24, 2023 02:14 PM
  • Training
  • Joyce
  • Volunteer Firefighters
  • SB1611

joyce 032423SPRINGFIELD – To diminish the volunteer firefighter shortage Illinois is currently facing, State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a plan out of the Senate Friday to allow for more people to complete firefighter training.

“The number of volunteer firefighters has been declining for almost a decade,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This opportunity would give people the chance to get proper firefighter training to become an experienced volunteer in their communities.”

Fire departments across the state have faced a shortage of new recruits and volunteer firefighters in recent years. Senate Bill 1611 would combat these shortages to give people the opportunity to undergo firefighter training courses.

Read more: Joyce plan to encourage firefighter training passes Senate

Statewide mental health coordinator for law enforcement passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Bill Cunningham News
Friday, March 24, 2023 02:04 PM
  • Mental Health
  • Law Enforcement
  • Cunningham
  • PTSD

cunningham 032423SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham passed a bill through the Senate on Friday, which aims to provide mental health support and education for law enforcement officers who are facing post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We are not passing any new mandate on law enforcement,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We are creating a supportive resource that officers can utilize for specific traumatic situations and for PTSD."

The Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator will be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve for a term of four years. The coordinator will be responsible for providing resources, information and assistance to law enforcement officers who may be experiencing PTSD symptoms or other mental health issues related to their work.

Read more: Statewide mental health coordinator for law enforcement passes Senate

Gillespie leads effort to guarantee legal counsel for foster youth

Details
Category: Senator Ann Gillespie News
Friday, March 24, 2023 01:57 PM
  • Foster Children
  • Gillespie
  • Legal Counsel
  • SB1478

gillespie 032423SPRINGFIELD — Youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services often have several adults speaking on their behalf regarding what is in their best interest. To ensure youth have a say in their future and guaranteed legal representation, State Senator Ann Gillespie passed legislation out of the Senate on Friday.

“Youth in care are the experts when it comes to what they need; they should have a say in the decisions being made about their lives,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “This legislation gives youth in care an attorney who will elevate their voice and advocate for their wishes.”

Read more: Gillespie leads effort to guarantee legal counsel for foster youth

More Articles ...

  1. Villa passes bill to support grieving families
  2. Senator Fine fights plastic pollution, requires state agencies to restrict use of single-use plastic foodware
  3. Senator Fine leads effort to protect student loan cosigners
  4. Murphy passes measure to help libraries provide greater access to e-books

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