SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation from the Senate on Thursday to expand protections for service and companion animal in Illinois.

“This legislation is necessary to ensure companion and working animals will have protections in place if need be,” Villa said (D-West Chicago). “Animal cruelty is a harsh reality that happens far too often. Adding these additional safeguards will protect animals across the state.”

Senate Bill 1499, which makes changes to the Humane Care for Animals Act, allows a law enforcement officer to legally take possession of the companion animal of someone arrested 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.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect nursing home residents from harsh restraining practices, State Senator Karina Villa fought for a protective measure to pass out of the Senate on Thursday. 

“When entrusting nursing homes with our loved ones, we want to know they are going to the safest place possible that will take care of them,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation will ensure nursing homes do not engage in any restraining practices that could be more harmful than helpful to its residents.”

Senate Bill 1497 prohibits the use of physical restraints and the misuse of psychotropic medications to restrain nursing home residents. According to American Association of Retired Persons, Illinois is the second worst state in the misuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes in America.

The bill also clarifies the difference between positioning devices and physical restraints and allows a resident or their representative to still request a positioning device. Positioning devices are usually a body or belt harness which provide someone additional support for their stability, posture and function when sitting or on their back. When using a positioning device, the health care provider must ensure that it does not restrict the resident’s freedom to move or get out of bed.

SPRINGFIELD – When Laura Kane lost her son, Zachary, to suicide, she was still expected to return to work merely three days later. To help support families grieving the loss of a child and ensure no one else is put in the same situation, State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation out of the Senate that will create Zachary's Parent Protection Act.

“My heart goes out to all of those who have ever grieved over the unthinkable happening and had to bear the loss of their child,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation attempts to offer support to families who are grieving by allowing them the proper time to themselves after a loss.”

Kane was let go due to not being able to perform her job while grieving the loss of her child. She started a nonprofit, Marshmallow’s Hope, in honor of her son and to help children struggling with depression and families coping with the loss of a child due to suicide.

Senate Bill 2034 provides extended bereavement leave to employees who have lost a child to suicide or homicide: up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for larger businesses with at least 250 workers and six weeks unpaid leave for smaller businesses with fewer than 250. It also provides penalties against employers who violate the act and provides that employees who take leave will not be entitled to any more benefits than they would have had they not taken such leave.

“Loss and grief have no right answer or solution, however my hope is this bill will provide individuals with some relief knowing they do not have to worry about losing their jobs when focusing on their families,” Villa said. “This bill addresses loss to homicide or suicide. If you or someone you know might be suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can call the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988.”

Senate Bill 2034 passed the Senate and now heads to the House floor. 

SPRINGFIELD – To help support families grieving the loss of a child, State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation from the Senate Labor Committee that will create the Zachary's Parent Protection Act.

“No family should have to endure the loss of a child, and my heart goes out to all of those who have ever grieved over the unthinkable happening,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation attempts to offer support to families who are grieving by allowing them the proper time to themselves after a loss.”

This bill was inspired when mother Laura Kane lost her son to suicide, yet she was expected to return to work merely three days later. Kane was let go due to not being able to perform her job while grieving the loss of her child. She started a non-profit, Marshmallow’s Hope, in honor of her son and to help children struggling with depression and families struggling with the loss of a child due to suicide.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would amend the Adult Protective Services Act to include that any person may report information about a suspicious death of an older adult. This legislation passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday. 

“According to the World Health Organization, around one in six people 60 years and older experience some form of abuse in community settings,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “However, a lot of these cases of abuse go unreported. This legislation will help people feel like they can speak more freely when they witness something wrong.”

Current law allows any person who suspects abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an eligible adult to make a report to the Department of Aging. This legislation would add a suspicious death to the list of reportable items. If the person making the report is a mandated reporter, they are required to testify in any subsequent administrative hearings. It also provides that a probate court can access records for a confidential inspection of the records.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa attended a press conference with Representative Lakeisha Collins and Children’s Home & Aid regarding legislation that will provide a monthly diaper allowance for families who meet certain income thresholds.

“It is important to bring awareness to the diaper need within our communities,” said Villa (D- West Chicago). “Diapers are an essential household item for new parents, and while approximately 1 in 3 parents experience diaper need, caregivers in poverty are unable to purchase diapers with their SNAP or WIC benefits. I want to pass legislation that will address this gap.”

On average, 12 diapers are needed per day for infants and toddlers, which can add up to $80-100 spent per month on diapers. With inflation and the increasing cost of basic goods, diaper prices will weigh even heavier on struggling families. A diaper allowance will put money in the pockets of low-income families struggling to pay their bills.

AURORA – Thanks to a $500,000 investment acquired by State Senator Karina Villa, construction and building trades apprenticeships will be expanded in the 25^th Senate District.

“The expansion of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship programs will bring more opportunities to Aurora residents and boost the number of jobs in the area,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Growing job opportunities in the building trades will not only help individuals, but will help to build and strengthen our communities.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $13 million in grants to 30 recipients, including St. Augustine College – Aurora, to expand the talent pipeline of diverse candidates in construction and the building trades. Through the program, St. Augustine students with diverse backgrounds will have greater access and opportunities to excel in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa will lead the Senate Committee on Public Health in the 103^rd General Assembly. 

“I am honored to have been appointed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health,” said Villa (D- West Chicago). “Access to strong public health services is vital, whether it be for reproductive care, mental health, nursing homes or the emergency rooms. I will fight for legislation that will improve our state’s public health with my time leading this committee.”

The Senate Committee on Public Health primarily deals with legislation and policy that will affect all types of health care for residents throughout the state. A priority of the committee this legislative session will be workplace safety.