SPRINGFIELD - A measure supported by State Senator Robert Martwick to protect restaurants, bars and retailers from deceptive delivery services was signed into law.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We have to ensure that restaurants and bars are able to support themselves and that outside delivery services do not take advantage of many of our most beloved restaurants and eateries.”

SPRINGFIELD – Emergency medical dispatchers will receive the same benefits and training as other first responders after a measure spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick was signed into law.

“Dispatchers are first responders, and they need to be included in the same programs and receive the same support as police officers and firefighters,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “Our Dispatchers are the first line of defense in an emergency, hearing unspeakable circumstances while staying calm and helping the caller.  They deserve the same training, benefits and recognition as other first responders.”

Emergency medical dispatchers are special trained call-takers who identify complaints, triage patients’ severity and provide pre-arrival instructions to callers.  The new law, formerly known as Senate Bill 3127, will ensure emergency medical dispatchers are included in reference to first responders in existing laws.

SPRINGFIELD -  A measure to combat carjackings in Illinois was signed into law with strong support from State Senator Robert Martwick.

“I am pleased that we have taken this step to hold criminals accountable,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This law puts us one step closer toward addressing this critical public safety issue across our state.”

Springfield - First responders will soon have access to additional mental health resources after a new measure supported by Senator Robert Martwick providing behavioral health grants to law enforcement agencies and local governments was signed into law.
"First responders are frequently exposed to trauma,” said Martwick (D - Chicago). “Lack of access to mental health care for first responders contributes to high turnover and rising suicide rates. First responders need and deserve to have access to mental health services.”
The new law creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program, which will award grants to local governments and law enforcement agencies to support the behavioral health care needs of first responders.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure advanced by Senator Robert Martwick to address Illinois’ ever-growing teacher shortage by bringing back retired educators was signed into law.

“There are thousands of classrooms across the state where students are left without a fully qualified instructor during the school day,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We need to put teachers in classrooms to ensure our children thrive.”

The new law, formerly known as Senate Bill 3465, amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension code by allowing retired CPS teachers to return to work without it affecting their pensions. Schools are able to submit documentation with their regional superintendent to request help from retired educators in a “subject shortage area.” This emergency measure will remain in effect until June 30, 2024.

Chicago - A measure designed to provide law enforcement with additional resources to combat carjackings was signed into law thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“The rise in carjackings is disturbing and yet, arrests are almost never made in these crimes denying these victims justice,” Martwick said. “We need to do all we can to ensure that law enforcement agencies are working together to try new ideas to address this issue.”

SPRINGFIELD – Widows of Chicago firefighters and police are one step closer to receiving additional support after a measure advanced by  State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) was signed into law.

“Despite the false narrative of an overgenerous pension system, widows of Chicago first responders have been living with great financial hardship for decades,” Martwick said. “This adjustment is essential if we are going to support the widows of our Chicago firefighters and police officers who put themselves in the line of duty to keep all of us safe. I’m pleased that we are taking this small step  to support the families who sacrifice so much for all of us.”

Springfield - Two new measures were recently signed into law to provide greater support for law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers. Both laws were spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“I am proud to see these new laws provide additional support to recruit the next generation of police officers,” Martwick said. “We are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state.”

One new law, formerly known as House Bill 3863, will create the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund and will aim to increase police officer retention and recruitment.  The fund will award grants for the purposes of hiring and retaining law enforcement officers.

Another law, formerly known as House Bill 1568, will also permit all law enforcement officers and parole agents who are honorably retiring in good standing to purchase their service badge and their former service firearm if they have a valid FOID card. The new law also lowers the retirement age for eligible employees from 60 to 55. The laws were part of a package advocated for by law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 3863 was signed into law on Tuesday and House Bill 1568 was signed into law Friday and both take effect immediately.