SPRINGFIELD — In order to ensure that domestic violence survivors get the assistance they need, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to advance House Bill 2682 through the Senate on Saturday. In 2023, only an estimated 4% of eligible recipients received the Family Violence Option (FVO) protections under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

“I was proud to partner with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence on this common-sense legislation that helps survivors and streamlines crisis assistance within the TANF application process,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “The proposed waiver and critical assistance funding are crucial tools for survivors. Now more than ever we need to continue to make resources readily known and accessible for our most vulnerable communities.”

Despite TANF applicants needing to be screened for FVO eligibility, very few survivors actually access FVO waivers or Crisis Assistance funding.

SPRINGFIELD – Domestic violence is a serious public health issue across the United States. In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner. To ensure survivors are not further burdened at work, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen collaborated with State Representative Daniel Didech on House Bill 1278 which passed the Senate on Thursday.

“Victims of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This bill can - and will - save lives, and I am proud to carry this legislation through the Senate.”

House Bill 1278 provides that employees can use work devices to document or communicate about violence affecting them or their family, and must be given access to related files if needed for legal action. Employers must post a notice about this right.

SPRINGFIELD – According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE), 33 million Americans have a food allergy, with the most common allergies including milk, tree nuts, shellfish and peanuts. To increase the accessibility of epinephrine to help those having an allergic reaction, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked with House Assistant Majority Leader Maurice West to bring House Bill 2462 through the Senate.

House Bill 2462, modeled after a law passed in Wisconsin in 2017, is named after 18-year-old Dillon Mueller, who died in 2014 after being stung by a bee without any previous knowledge of an allergy. No epinephrine was available in the first aid kits of either the Eagle Scout with him or the arriving first responders. This legislation would allow individuals who are properly trained to carry and administer the epinephrine to individuals having an allergic reaction.

“Dillon’s Law is common-sense legislation that helps our communities become better equipped to help someone experiencing an allergic reaction,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “If a person does not know they have an allergy, they may not have access to epinephrine, which is why this bill could help save so many lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Nationally, an estimated $2.8 billion worth of medications are wasted annually. To provide Illinoisans with cheaper alternatives and transparency within the Illinois Drug Reuse Program, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked with State Representative Laura Faver Dias to move House Bill 2346 through the Senate.

“Medications can be ridiculously expensive, often leaving people to decide between rent, groceries or their life-saving medicine,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill is critical to helping our most vulnerable communities and improves a well-established program that has helped countless Illinoisans.”

House Bill 2346 aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the Illinois Drug Reuse Program by increasing transparency for consumers, expanding access to safe, unused medications, and helping reduce medication waste.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to safeguard student athletes, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen brought House Bill 2521 to the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday to increase protections for students and strengthen background checks for sports officials.

“As an educator, it is of utmost importance to safeguard our children, both in and out of the classroom,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill helps ensure all children are safe and guarded while participating in high school athletics.”

Under current law, school employees, including bus drivers, are required to undergo fingerprint background checks. However, background checks do not apply for sports officials, such as referees or umpires.

SPRINGFIELD – Nationally, an estimated $2.8 billion worth of medications are wasted annually. To provide Illinoisans with cheaper alternatives and transparency within the Illinois Drug Reuse Program, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked with State Representative Laura Faver Dias to bring House Bill 2346 to the Senate Public Health Committee.

“Medications can be ridiculously expensive, often leaving people to decide between rent, groceries or their life-saving medicine,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill is critical to helping our most vulnerable communities and improves a well-established program that has helped countless Illinoisans.”

House Bill 2346 aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the Illinois Drug Reuse Program by increasing transparency for consumers, expanding access to safe, unused medications, and helping reduce medication waste.

SPRINGFIELD – According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE), 33 million Americans have a food allergy, with the most common allergies including milk, tree nuts, shellfish and peanuts. To increase the accessibility of epinephrine to help those having an allergic reaction, State Senator

Mary Edly-Allen worked with House Assistant Majority Leader Maurice West to bring House Bill 2462 to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SPRINGFIELD – Recording artists could soon have more protections from artificial intelligence (AI) replicating their voice or work under legislation from State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“We need strong regulations and protections in place to safeguard artists when people try to steal their work and pass it off as their own using artificial intelligence,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill was made to clarify existing law using language approved by both the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA).”