SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) recently honored 144 Central Illinois high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“This spectacular achievement is a result of hard work and dedication,” said Turner. “I am especially proud of these students’ efforts to persevere while in the middle of a devastating pandemic. Despite the fear and uncertainty this infectious disease has brought on, these students have maintained an esteemed level of academic excellence and I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings offered congratulations to over 400 South Suburban high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“Those who excel in the classroom in high school set themselves up well for a lifetime of success,” Hastings said. “These remarkable young people always deserve recognition for their hard work – but even more so as they persevered to emerge from a global pandemic as one of our state’s brightest.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

SPRINGFIELD – Acting on recommendations from the Elder Abuse Task Force, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has advanced a plan through the Senate to update state practices aimed at protecting older residents.

“Preceding the pandemic, abuse targeted at older residents was a growing concern,” Crowe said. “To face challenges surrounding abandonment, financial exploitation and isolation, we need comprehensive solutions that enact effective change for older Illinoisans.”

Crowe’s proposal includes provisions to enhance protections for older residents by expanding the Adult Protective Services Act to include reports of abandonment. It would also extend the statute of limitations from three years to seven years in cases of theft by deception where the victim is 60 years of age or older or disabled.

Senate Bill 701 also strengthens cases of financial exploitation to include potential charges for trusted friends and acquaintances.

Under the measure, the Illinois Department on Aging must offer an annual trauma-informed training program for Adult Protective Services employees.

Crowe created the Elder Abuse Task Force with State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in 2019 to bring together agency officials, elder abuse experts and law enforcement to assess current laws and suggest policy updates. The task force delivered a report to the General Assembly containing their recommendations on Jan. 1, 2021.

“I appreciate the efforts of the task force members to figure out how the state can improve current practices designed to protect our older friends, neighbors and loved ones,” Stuart said. “Their work will allow us to continue to serve the needs of aging residents in Illinois.”

“The Elder Abuse Task Force afforded the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue in the interest of positive change for older Illinois residents affected by crime,” said task force member Captain Kristopher Tharp with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “The passage of this bill affirms a commitment on the part of all task force members, including law enforcement, to seeking justice and wellness for Illinois crime victims and their families.”

Those who are experiencing abuse, neglect or financial exploitation - or suspect someone they know is experiencing them - should call the statewide 24-hour Abuse Hotline at 866-800-1409 or visit the Department on Aging’s website.

Senate Bill 701 moves to the House for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – People who are prescribed opioid drugs would also be given opioid overdose reversal medication under a measure spearheaded by State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake).

“Opioid overdoses have been occurring at alarming rates in Illinois,” Bush said. “Expanded access to overdose reversal drugs – like naloxone – will save lives.”

The measure requires a prescriber to offer a co-prescription for naloxone hydrochloride – or a similar drug – to patients given an opioid drug. Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.

More than 2,000 people in Illinois lost their lives to opioids in 2019 alone, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Furthermore, Cook County has recently seen more than double the number of overdose deaths – potentially caused by isolation and lack of support during the pandemic.

Since first entering the General Assembly, Bush has been a steadfast advocate on fighting the ongoing opioid crisis. In 2015, she championed legislation to make naloxone more accessible and affordable to law enforcement agencies. Senate Bill 2535 is another step toward saving lives from the deadly effects of opioids.

“The opioid epidemic is a serious and complicated issue that only continues to get worse,” Bush said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed vulnerable populations – such as those with opioid use disorders – and we must tackle this crisis head on.”

Bush’s proposal awaits consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) recently honored five Aurora-area high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“I am so proud of all the hard work these students have put in despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Holmes said. “This prestigious award recognizes their commitment to educational achievement. These Scholars are the best of the best, and recognition of their efforts is well deserved.”

The Scholars include students from five high schools, including Waubonsie Valley, Aurora Central Catholic, East Aurora, Rosary and Oswego East high schools.

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

“The college and financial assistance application process is extremely competitive. This Illinois State Scholar recognition will give these students the opportunity to afford and attend a college of their choice,” Holmes said.

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

Joins IDOT to “Go Orange” during Transportation Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

SPRINGFIELD – To help increase awareness of the avoidable dangers in work zones and to honor those workers who have died in work zones accidents throughout Illinois, State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) reminds drivers to be more aware during the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.

Bridges and buildings throughout the state will be turning orange this week to honor those who have died in work zones and to raise awareness as IDOT signals the start of another construction season.

“Imagine a line of vehicles driving through your work place at 60 mph or higher, possibly on uneven pavement—this is a high risk situation,” Holmes said. “Lower speed zones and signs are there for your protection as well as workers’, so please stay alert and keep your speed down while driving through these work zones.” 

In 2019, 842 people were killed and 39,100 injured in work zone crashes. Illinois averages 6,400 crashes in work zones each year, resulting in 1,700 injuries and 34 deaths. More than 9 out of 10 deaths are someone other than a worker, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Visit IDOT’s Work Zone page for more information.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) is promoting Work Zone Awareness Week in an effort to remind Illinoisans to take extreme caution as the Illinois Department of Transportation begins a new construction season.

“We’re no strangers to construction projects in the Joliet area, and it’s easy to become impatient when those projects are ongoing or we have to drive through a work zone on a day to day basis,” said Connor. “We have to stay alert, though, because even one moment of inattention can cost someone their life.”

Work Zone Awareness Week is meant to honor of those who have died in work zones and to raise awareness going into the summer construction season. Joliet is one of many cities across the state undergoing major construction projects beginning this summer, and residents are encouraged to continue to be wary of work zones even after the close of Work Zone Awareness Week.

SHOREWOOD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is offering congratulations to over 200 local high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“Over the past year, our students were faced with more things working against them than they deserved,” Loughran Cappel said. “Despite these obstacles, they excelled through a global pandemic, and I am so proud of their progress.”

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10% of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

Scholars from the 49^th District include students from five area high schools, including Oswego High School, Joliet Catholic Academy, Plainfield Central High School, Plainfield East High School, Plainfield North High School.

“As a mother and former educator, I know just how crucial quality schools are to a young person’s growth,” Loughran Cappel said. “We are lucky to live in an area served by schools with such an excellent track record fostering successful students.”

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.