WEST CHICAGO – As September begins, so does the 15^th annual Suicide Prevention Month, and State Senator Karina Villa is highlighting the importance of suicide awareness and prevention for Illinois residents. 

“My heart goes out to every person who has lost a loved one to suicide,” said Villa (D-West Chicago), chair of the Senate Public Health Committee. “We need to be vigilant in our support for people who experience mental health challenges. By working together, we can create a safer, more compassionate state where every individual’s mental wellbeing is valued and protected.”

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 50,000 people died by suicide in 2022. The CDC also reported that men accounted for over 39,000 of these recorded deaths—which is a 2.3% increase from 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advocated for a new law that will expand protections for service and companion animals in Illinois.

“The goal of this law is to protect animals from those who would do them harm,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This law will ensure companion and working animals will have protections in place if law enforcement come across someone who is mistreating them.”

The new law makes changes to the Humane Care for Animals Act, allowing a law enforcement officer to legally take possession of a companion animal from an individual under arrest who strikes, harms, injures, tampers with or kills police animals, service dogs, detection dogs or search and rescue dogs; poisons animals; or confines animals in a motor vehicle for a dangerous amount of time. Current law allows law enforcement to take possession of an animal only when making an arrest involving cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, animal torture or animal entertainment.

A person who violates an order to hand over their companion animal would be subject to civil and criminal contempt, with a fine up to $2,500 and imprisonment for up to 90 days. It would be up to the prosecution to prove the person arrested violated the Humane Care for Animals Act, and an individual who violates this Act may not possess another animal for a period of time determined by the court, which could include permanent relinquishment.

“Those who abuse animals do not deserve to own animals themselves,” said Villa. “Animal cruelty is a harsh reality that happens far too often. Adding these additional safeguards will protect animals across the state.”

Senate Bill 1499 was signed into law on Friday, Aug. 4 and goes into effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Following findings of testing bias in social worker licensure exams, State Senator Karina Villa advocated for a law to provide social workers with a more equitable avenue for obtaining a license. This is the first law of its kind in the nation, and many states are expected to follow suit.

“In Illinois, we have social work graduates who have earned a master’s degree, completed intense clinical supervision hours and are currently working in the field, yet they are barred from a path forward due to a biased exam,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This new law will help social workers who are already out in the field benefiting their communities and those who are looking to enter the profession have an easier time getting licensed.”

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa that addresses the shortage of nurses in health care facilities across Illinois was signed into law Friday. 

“The ongoing nurse shortage in our state demands our immediate attention,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Our nurses are the backbone of our health care system, and we owe it to them and our communities to address this issue with urgency. By empowering the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center to look for ways to address the shortage, our hope is this new law will help us retain and recruit nurses throughout our state.”

The growing scarcity of nurses in Illinois, especially in Southern Illinois, hurts patients and existing nurses who have to work without a full staff in some cases. Nurses are a critical part of health care and make up the largest portion of health care professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed from 2020 to 2030.

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Karina Villa, music venues will be equipped with overdose-reversing medications.

“The summer months bring a lot of concerts with them, and I want to make sure those in attendance are safe from one bad decision or mistake costing them their lives,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This law will save lives by expanding first aid in concert halls, training staff to treat overdose and ensuring the proper tools are on site.”

SPRINGFIELD – To guarantee emergency workers — including firefighters, police officers and probation officers — have quality health insurance in the event they are injured on the job, State Senator Karina Villa passed a bill from the Senate on Wednesday. 

“Emergency workers are the first on a scene when something goes wrong; they protect our communities and deserve our protection in return,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation will protect those who are gravely injured on the job by making sure their employers cover their health insurance.”

House Bill 3249 requires public employers to pay the full premium of a health insurance plan for a current employee, their spouse or their dependents if the employee is a full-time law enforcement officer, correctional or correctional probation officer or firefighter who has suffered a catastrophic injury or was killed in the line of duty.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect against gender-related violence in the workplace, State Senator Karina Villa passed a bill from the Senate to clarify areas of the Gender Violence Act in regards to employer accountability.

“Work should not be a violent environment for anyone; employees should have protection if they feel unsafe by the actions of a coworker or their employer,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This bill aims to make sure those in a position of power are held responsible for protecting their employees and held accountable when they fail.”

SPRINGFIELD – To address the shortage of nurses in health care facilities across Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa passed a bill from the Senate on Thursday. 

“Nursing is a difficult profession. It is a demanding job both physically and mentally,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Nurses should feel supported, and my hope is this initiative will help provide that support so more people will be inspired to join and stay in the nursing profession.”

The growing scarcity of nurses in Illinois, especially in Southern Illinois, is negatively impacting patients, as well as existing nurses who have to work without a full staff in some of these health care facilities. Nurses are a critical part of health care and make up the largest section of the health profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed from 2020 to 2030.