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Koehler's bill creating the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 02:10 PM
  • Koehler
  • Underground Railroad
  • SB1607
  • Freedom Trails Commission

Sen. Dave Koehler

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler to establish the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission and preserve the state's Underground Railroad history passed the Senate Wednesday.

"This commission honors the courage of freedom seekers and highlights Illinois' critical role in their journey," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "By preserving and sharing these important historical sites, we ensure future generations understand and appreciate this powerful part of our state's story."

Read more: Koehler's bill creating the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission passes Senate

Halpin: Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority

Details
Category: Senator Mike Halpin News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 01:38 PM
  • Mental Health
  • SB188
  • Rock Island County

Senator Halpin

SPRINGFIELD – More than 84,000 Iowans live with severe mental illness and only about 35,000 of those are receiving treatment. State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to allow vulnerable mental health patients from Iowa to use Rock Island mental care facilities passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis that crosses state lines,” said Halpin. “Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority.”

Read more: Halpin: Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority

Turner-led bill expanding ag education heads to House

Details
Category: Senator Doris Turner News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 01:37 PM
  • Agriculture Education
  • Turner
  • SB 1605

Turner SB1605SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner, a strong advocate for agriculture education, passed a measure that would allow any agriculture-related course to satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students.

“A lot of kids know early on that they want to have a career in agriculture, whether that’s farming, becoming an agricultural economist, farm manager or researcher,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We should let them take classes that peak their interests, not force them into electives they have no interest in.”

Senate Bill 1605 would clarify in statute that agricultural education, agricultural business or any other agriculture-related course can satisfy the vocational education requirement for public high school students beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, one year of music, art, foreign language, vocational education or speech and debate are required to graduate from high school.

Read more: Turner-led bill expanding ag education heads to House

Senator Fine’s measure to provide additional workplace support for nursing mothers passes the Senate

Details
Category: Senator Laura Fine News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 01:36 PM
  • Breast Milk
  • Fine
  • SB212
  • New Mothers

Sen. Fine

SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring Illinois nursing mothers have proper workplace accommodations, State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate to require employers to provide paid break time for pumping breastmilk.

“Working as a mother to a newborn or infant needing to be breastfed can be challenging without workplace accommodations accounting for the time needed to do so,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “By giving nursing mothers paid break time for pumping breastmilk, we are promoting a supportive work environment for these employees.”

Read more: Senator Fine’s measure to provide additional workplace support for nursing mothers passes the Senate

Illinois firefighters one step closer to increased safety thanks to Porfirio

Details
Category: Senator Mike Porfirio News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 01:27 PM
  • Firefighters
  • Porfirio
  • SB1742
  • Drew Price

Sen. Mike Porfirio

SPRINGFIELD — Thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Mike Porfirio, firefighters could see increased safety while encountering severe smoke and unsteady terrain on roofs.

“I am honored to name this bill the Drew Price Act in honor of Andrew Price, a Chicago firefighter who gave his life protecting his community,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This is an important first step we must take to protect our first responders on the job, as they defend us from danger every day.”

The bill would require a parapet or guard to be installed around light shafts, skylights and open courts on low-sloped roofs to aid firefighters traversing through dense smoke. Local municipalities would be required to complete surveys of roof safety and hazards of buildings in their district. The surveys would be shared with local police and fire departments to ensure they can avoid dangerous obstacles on roofs when called to an emergency.

Read more: Illinois firefighters one step closer to increased safety thanks to Porfirio

Koehler champions bill supporting student leaders in higher education

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Wednesday, April 09, 2025 09:24 AM
  • Koehler
  • Higher Education
  • SB1475
  • Scholarship Assistance

Sen. Dave Koehler

SPRINGFIELD – To support students serving in critical leadership roles within Illinois' higher education system, State Senator Dave Koehler has introduced Senate Bill 1475, which would provide scholarship assistance to student members of the state's higher education boards.

"Student voices are essential in shaping Illinois' higher education policies, yet serving on these boards requires significant commitment," Koehler said. “Offering scholarship assistance recognizes their contributions and helps ease these students' financial burdens."

Under Senate Bill 1475, student members serving on the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board would receive a $500 scholarship for each semester they are enrolled and actively serving.

Read more: Koehler champions bill supporting student leaders in higher education

Villivalam joins transit workers to outline support for system reforms

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Tuesday, April 08, 2025 04:54 PM
  • Public Transit
  • SB1938
  • Regional Transportation Authority

Senator VillivalamSPRINGFIELD- Joining transit workers, union members and fellow legislators at a press conference Tuesday morning, State Senator Ram Villivalam spoke about Senate Bill 1938 ─ a measure to address issues facing the public transit system amid the quickly approaching $771 million fiscal cliff.

“The Regional Transportation Authority is approaching a $771 million fiscal cliff in 2026, and everyday riders continue to face challenges such as ghost buses, lack of service and safety concerns,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “To address the issues that current riders face, I introduced Senate Bill 1938 in collaboration with transit workers and union members.”

Read more: Villivalam joins transit workers to outline support for system reforms

Peters measure to expand retirement savings options for Illinois workers

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Tuesday, April 08, 2025 04:53 PM
  • Peters
  • SB1441
  • Illinois Secure Choice Savings program

Peters SB1441SPRINGFIELD — Saving for retirement could soon become easier and more flexible for thousands of Illinois workers, thanks to a new plan from State Senator Robert Peters that expands access to portable, customizable savings options. 

“Too many Illinoisans are stuck without good retirement savings options, and that’s a problem we need to fix,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “This bill would give workers more control over their financial futures, whether they stay in one job or move between employers.”

In 2015, the state created the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program to address the growing gap in retirement savings for Illinois workers. Nearly 40% of private sector workers in Illinois do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, leaving many with no way to save for the future. Since its inception, the program has helped over 150,000 participants save more than $200 million for retirement, with more than 25,000 employers offering the program to their workers. 

Read more: Peters measure to expand retirement savings options for Illinois workers

More Articles …

  1. Peters measure to lower energy costs, create jobs
  2. Villivalam continues commitment of supporting nursing home residents
  3. Collins joins SEIU in advocating for safe nursing home staffing levels
  4. Villanueva strengthens measure to regulate predatory towing
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