ISDC
  • Home
  • Senators
    • Alphabetical
    • Committees
    • Leadership
    • Find My Senator
  • Caucus News
    • ILBC Committee Roundup
    • Subscribe
    • Majority Report
  • Issues
    • Agriculture
    • Budget
    • Business
    • Criminal Law
    • Diabetes
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Ethics
    • Health
    • Higher Education
    • Law Enforcement
    • Seniors
    • Transportation
    • Veterans
  • Multimedia
    • Monthly Minute
    • Photo of the Day
    • Sound of the State
  • Resources
    • Bills / Resolutions
    • Fact Sheets
    • For Educators
    • I Like Illinois
    • Illinois Compiled Statutes
    • Illinois General Assembly
    • Internships
    • Media Guidelines
    • NCSL
    • Senate Schedule
  • About the Senate
  • Contact Us
    • How to contact a Senator
    • Employment
    • Submit Feedback
  • ILBC Pillars
    • Pillar 1
    • Pillar 2
    • Pillar 3
    • Pillar 4
  • COVID-19

Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 03:23 PM
  • Education
  • Ellman
  • HB 3039
  • High School Credits

Senator Laura Ellman

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 school level courses.

“Students statewide work diligently to achieve success in their academic careers,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “A middle school student, whose course is not taught by a teacher with a certain certification level, may not receive the necessary high school credits to enroll in the next level of their education.”

Under current Illinois law, middle school students are able to receive credit for high school level courses, as long as the course is offered by the high school in the student’s district and the instructor holds a professional educator license and is endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.

Read more: Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit

Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 09:59 AM
  • Ephedrine Restrictions
  • Abuse as Stimulant
  • HB2874

ellman 043025SPRINGFIELD – 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 prescribed by a physician.

“Medical providers want to give their patients the best course of treatment, but current Illinois law does not make it clear if physicians can lawfully prescribe a drug containing ephedrine to treat certain conditions,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This puts providers and order pharmacies at risk of violating existing restrictions and places patients at risk of delayed care.”

Read more: Ellman to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions

Ellman plan to protect state scattering rights passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:44 AM
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Scattering Cremated Ashes
  • SB1793

ellman 041025SPRINGFIELD – Establishing a safe pathway for Illinois families to scatter their loved one’s ashes, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced legislation that would create rules allowing cremated remains to be scattered in Illinois waterways.

“Illinois families going through major life adjustments after losing a loved one need support as they navigate through emotional and financial challenges,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “I have heard the concerns of families in my district whose faith requires them to scatter their loved one’s ashes in flowing water, and they are worried about the lack of transparent regulations on scattering rights.”

Read more: Ellman plan to protect state scattering rights passes Senate

Ellman to increase firearm storage safety

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Friday, April 04, 2025 03:50 PM
  • Ellman
  • Firearms
  • SB8
  • Firearm Safety

040325CM1334r

SPRINGFIELD – In recent years, Illinois has seen over 1,700 gun-related deaths, with firearms being the leading cause of death for children and teens. To prevent further harm and keep Illinois families safe, State Senator Laura Ellman is leading a measure to strengthen safety standards for both firearm owners and individuals with potential access to such firearms.

“Unsecured firearms pose a risk to children and their families,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This measure will help ensure owners of firearms store them in a safe and secure manner, preventing unnecessary injury or death.”

Under current law, firearm owners in Illinois must keep their guns temporarily inoperable and in a securely locked container or location a minor under age 14 without a FOID card would not have reasonable access to.

Read more: Ellman to increase firearm storage safety

Ellman strives to protect Illinois public schools from radon

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 04:54 PM
  • Education
  • Public Schools
  • Radon Testing
  • Radon-Related Lung Cancer
  • SB2438

lockers 031825SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman introduced a measure to protect students, teachers and staff from radon exposure by requiring routine testing for all Illinois public schools.

“This legislation builds on previous protections to safeguard Illinoisans from life-threating radon exposure by reinforcing safety practices for some of our most vulnerable populations – our students,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Establishing regular radon testing in public schools is necessary to mitigate the onset of harmful health complications like lung cancer, with over 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths reported in the nation each year.”

Read more: Ellman strives to protect Illinois public schools from radon

Ellman law strengthens water protections for Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, August 15, 2024 12:46 PM
  • Ellman
  • SB2743
  • State Water Plan
  • H2024

ellman 081524SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address critical water issues across the state and enhance current protections to fulfill existing water needs, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law to create the State Water Plan Task Force.

“Over time, contaminants in our waterways pose serious health risks to communities and wildlife,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We need to ensure existing and future water concerns are addressed consequentially without any delays.”

This law requires the State Water Plan Task Force to address water issues and reevaluate environmental needs by assisting state and local authorities in the implementation of recommended plans. Further, it requires the task force to publish a State Water Plan at least once every 10 years and meet once per quarter each calendar year.

 

Read more: Ellman law strengthens water protections for Illinois

Ellman works to expand fentanyl education for grades 6-12

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Tuesday, May 07, 2024 06:18 PM
  • IDPH
  • overdose
  • Fentanyl Danger Education
  • Grades 6 - 12
  • HB4219

ellman 050724SPRINGFIELD – At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, all students in grades six through 12 would be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Our youth represent our future, but also make up one of our most vulnerable populations,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We need to educate students sooner rather than later on the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities and the severe, long-term detriment it has on perpetuating the ongoing opioid epidemic.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a drop of water. Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin and other drugs, are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.

Read more: Ellman works to expand fentanyl education for grades 6-12

Ellman resolution creates Green Infrastructure Week

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, April 18, 2024 03:25 PM
  • Flooding
  • Green Infrastructure
  • Storm Water Runoff
  • SR705

ellman 041824SPRINGFIELD – To encourage a statewide effort to adopt environmentally conscious infrastructure practices, State Senator Laura Ellman passed a resolution establishing the week of April 21 through April 27 as Green Infrastructure Week.

“This resolution reminds us all that we can help reduce flooding in our neighborhoods and communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Rain gardens, permeable pavement, green roofs and rain barrels all slow down water as it moves to and through our storm water systems.”

Senate Resolution 705 is the first measure to encourage construction of green infrastructure in Illinois. The resolution designates the week of April 21-27, 2024 as Green Infrastructure Week to promote an eco-friendly framework in the state to enhance natural areas and biodiversity.

When networks of natural areas are poorly managed or when urban design fails to properly control storm water runoff, pollution can have detrimental impacts on water quality, property and public health. SR 705 aims to encourage individuals, businesses and local governments to construct green infrastructure to mitigate this impact and help ease and prevent flooding.

“The developments we have made to enhance our biodiversity, agriculture, climate and water quality can be furthered by a united awareness amongst everyone in the state,” said Ellman. “I am pleased to advance this resolution to inspire individuals, businesses and local and state governments to take part in future green infrastructure initiatives.”

Senate Resolution 705 was adopted by the Senate Thursday.

More Articles …

  1. Ellman passes legislation for Women in Technology Task Force
  2. Senate approves legislation led by Ellman to reduce light pollution
  3. Ellman measure to expand access to free fentanyl test strips clears the Senate
  4. Ellman advances measure to bring Cook County seniors tax relief
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

Page 1 of 13

Follow ILSenDems

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Sign up for the Majority Report

Laws Going Into Effect 2025

Employment Opportunities

Find Your Senator

Senate Schedule

Bills & Resolutions

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE

phone(217) 782-2728

phone309 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Senate Floor, Illinois State Capitol, Springfield, IL

Senate President Don Harmon © 2025 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
FacebookInstagramTwitterYouTube
CHICAGO OFFICE

phone(312) 814-2075

phone160 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 720
Chicago, IL 60601