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Collins moves legislation to clarify trespassing and enforcement procedures

Details
Category: Senator Lakesia Collins News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 04:07 PM
  • Law Enforcement
  • SB1563
  • L.Collins
  • Criminal Trespassing

Sen. Lakesia Collins

SPRINGFIELD – To assist community members and homeowners, State Senator Lakesia Collins advanced a measure Wednesday to provide guidance to law enforcement that simplifies the process for removing criminal trespassers from a person's home.

“This will clarify the law and help communities better respond to unlawful trespassing,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Without clarity for law enforcement, oftentimes this issue resorts to eviction. This legislation gives appropriate guidance to ensure they can enforce criminal laws.”

This legislation responds to local squatters who snuck into a home while the owner was away. Law enforcement told the owner that they could not remove the squatters and that the homeowner would need to file an eviction.

Read more: Collins moves legislation to clarify trespassing and enforcement procedures

Senate advances Turner measure addressing police hiring practices in response to Sonya Massey murder

Details
Category: Senator Doris Turner News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 03:57 PM
  • Law Enforcement
  • Turner
  • Sonya Massey
  • SB1953

Sen. Doris Turner

SPRINGFIELD – A more comprehensive review of prospective law enforcement officers prior to hiring would be required under an initiative led by State Senator Doris Turner in response to the horrific murder of Sonya Massey.

“When it comes to hiring police officers, we want to that ensure we have the most qualified people,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “In collaboration with the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Chiefs of Police, we were able to determine necessary guardrails to include in this legislation.”

Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer’s past employment to ensure his or her fitness for duty as a police officer before making an offer of employment.

Read more: Senate advances Turner measure addressing police hiring practices in response to Sonya Massey murder

Senate passes Ventura-led child incarceration task force bill, marking major step toward restorative justice reform

Details
Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 03:20 PM
  • Child First Reform Task Force
  • SB2156

Senator VenturaSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced a measure through the Senate that would establish the Child First Reform Task Force to review and recommend reforms to the juvenile justice system, including training for courts and law enforcement on child-first directives and integrating restorative practices.

“This legislation is not just about reforming systems — it’s about redefining how we see and support our children. Every child, regardless of their background, deserves the resources and opportunities to grow into a healthy, productive adult. By investing in community-based alternatives to juvenile detention, we can create real, positive change that helps troubled youth find a better path forward,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This task force will gather essential insights to help reshape our juvenile justice system with a child-first approach — one that prioritizes rehabilitation, healing and prevention while still ensuring accountability and safety. This is a crucial step toward justice for our children and communities.”

Read more: Senate passes Ventura-led child incarceration task force bill, marking major step toward...

Hastings bipartisan school safety proposal passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 03:05 PM
  • Education
  • Hastings
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Threat Assessment
  • SB2057

Sen. Hastings

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed a proposal through the Senate to put in place state standards for Illinois school districts when it comes to emergency response and threat assessments.

“Parents have enough to worry about on a day-to-day basis, dropping their kids off at school should not be one of them,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Getting standardized plans set in place could save countless lives if an emergency occurs.”

Senate Bill 2057 would require the State Board of Education to provide school districts with standards for a school district's threat assessment procedures. The bill would allow ISBE and the Office of the State Fire Marshall to create new rules that guide school districts, private schools, and first responders on how to develop threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans. The bill would also give guidance for school districts notifying parents and the community of threats against a school.

Read more: Hastings bipartisan school safety proposal passes Senate

Johnson enhances legislation to bring transparency and dignity to end-of-life care in Illinois prisons

Details
Category: Senator Adriane Johnson News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 03:02 PM
  • Johnson
  • SB 1524
  • End-of-Life Care reports

Johnson SB1524SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to bring transparency and dignity to end-of-life care in Illinois correctional facilities, State Senator Adriane championed a measure that would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual reports on its hospice and palliative care programs.

“No one should face death alone and without dignity, regardless of where they are,” said Senator Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation will help us understand how the state is treating people at the end of their lives and allow lawmakers to make informed decisions on how to improve care for incarcerated individuals.”

Senate Bill 1524, an initiative of Access Living, was introduced in honor of Eddie Thomas—a man who died alone in a prison infirmary just five months after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis, without access to any end-of-life care.

Read more: Johnson enhances legislation to bring transparency and dignity to end-of-life care in Illinois...

Villa pushes to end discriminatory disciplining in schools

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 02:43 PM
  • Students
  • SB1519
  • Law Enforcement Practices

resized040425CM0354SPRINGFIELD – An initiative addressing discriminatory school disciplinary practices championed by State Senator Karina Villa passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“A student being ticketed for behavior at school can result in them being thrown into the system, hindering their future opportunities,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “School discipline that mirrors law enforcement practices is ineffective at addressing the root causes of student behavior.”

Senate Bill 1519 would ensure that no person is allowed to issue a fine or fee to a student as a disciplinary consequence for behavior during school. The bill would also require school districts with a school resource officer to have a memorandum of understanding with their local law enforcement agency, establishing that SROs are properly trained and do not use fines or tickets for disciplinary infractions.

Read more: Villa pushes to end discriminatory disciplining in schools

Illinois Senate Democrats stand up for agriculture on Ag Day

Details
Category: Member News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 02:38 PM
  • Education
  • Joyce
  • Ag Day
  • Turner
  • Future Farmers of America

Sen. Doris Turner

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the 55th annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day, highlighting the importance of supporting farmers and the state’s agricultural industry.

Illinois Ag Legislative Day is a long-standing tradition that allows Future Farmers of America members the opportunity to learn firsthand how to become strong advocates for the agriculture industry and agricultural education.

Additionally, these organizations provide baskets filled with agricultural products and specialty lunches for the legislators. These items serve as a reminder of the multiple facets agriculture touches in the lives of their constituents and the impacts their choices make on the industry.

Read more: Illinois Senate Democrats stand up for agriculture on Ag Day

Stadelman works to protect older adults from financial exploitation

Details
Category: Senator Steve Stadelman News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 02:34 PM
  • Slideshow

stadelman fin eldr abus 040925SPRINGFIELD – According to the FBI’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report, the average amount of money lost by victims of elder financial exploitation was $33,915 and total losses in 2023 exceeded $3.4 billion. At a press conference Wednesday, State Senator Steve Stadelman outlined his plan to protect and further prevent instances of elder financial abuse.

“It’s very common for older individuals to fall victim to financial abuse,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “The goal with this legislation is to protect our most vulnerable citizens and to ensure suspicious financial transactions can be paused until investigated.”

Read more: Stadelman works to protect older adults from financial exploitation

More Articles …

  1. Koehler's bill creating the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission passes Senate
  2. Halpin: Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority
  3. Turner-led bill expanding ag education heads to House
  4. Senator Fine’s measure to provide additional workplace support for nursing mothers passes the Senate
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