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Hastings measure to streamline missing persons investigations passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 03:05 PM
  • Missing Persons
  • SB24
  • Criminal Law
  • Eliminate Waiting Period
  • Cook County Sheriff's Office
  • Investigations

Senator HastingsSPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations.

“When you believe a loved one has gone missing, you need action taken without hesitation,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Eliminating the waiting period and utilizing national databases will give families peace of mind and give law enforcement more tools in the search.”

Senate Bill 24 would eliminate any law enforcement policy requiring the observance of a waiting period before accepting a missing persons report. The bill would also require information from a missing persons report to be immediately entered into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System upon reception of a report. Under the measure, law enforcement agencies must adopt a strategy regarding missing persons investigations, reporting and follow-up action.

Read more: Hastings measure to streamline missing persons investigations passes Senate

Ellman advances measure to grant high school credits to middle school students

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 02:55 PM
  • Ellman
  • HB 3039
  • High school class credits
  • Middle school students

Ellman HB3039SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a measure out of the Senate to ensure middle school students have the option to earn high school credit for high school level courses.

“Our students deserve support every step along their academic career paths,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Middle school students working toward the next educational milestone need the attention, care and resources that ensure proper consideration of their academic abilities.”

Under current Illinois law, middle school students are able to receive credit for high school level courses, as long as the course is offered by the high school in the student’s district and the instructor holds a professional educator license and is endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.

Read more: Ellman advances measure to grant high school credits to middle school students

Morrison works to remove dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ from household products

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 01:12 PM
  • Children
  • Pollution
  • PFAS
  • HB2516
  • Polyfluoradlkyl Substances
  • Toxic

Senator MorrisonSPRINGFIELD — In response to growing research about the long-term health risks posed by PFAS — commonly known as “forever chemicals” — State Senator Julie Morrison is working to eliminate their use within everyday products sold in Illinois.

To reduce Illinoisans’ exposure to these chemicals, House Bill 2516 would ban intentionally added PFAS from seven categories of products sold and distributed in the state, including cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, children’s items, menstrual products, intimate apparel and food packaging. Morrison’s bill prioritizes products where PFAS exposure is likely to be frequent or prolonged, especially for vulnerable populations like children, and sets a 2032 implementation date to give manufacturers time to phase out their use.

Read more: Morrison works to remove dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ from household products

Stadelman working to require more transparency in health care fees

Details
Category: Senator Steve Stadelman News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 11:12 AM
  • Health Care
  • Stadelman
  • Transparency
  • HB1431

Sen. Stadelman

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure out of the Senate that would require hospitals to be more explicit about the fees included in their services.

“There’s no reason to wait and disclose extra fees to patients after the care has already been provided,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “We need these facilities to take more responsibility and inform patients of all costs and fees prior to any services.”

Read more: Stadelman working to require more transparency in health care fees

Porfirio recognizes Emmett Till Day, welcomes relatives of Till to the Capitol

Details
Category: Senator Mike Porfirio News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 11:09 AM
  • Emmett Till
  • Porfirio
  • SJR37
  • Emmett Till Day

State Senator Mike Porfirio joined by relatives of Emmett Till and advocates from his district to commemorate Emmett Till Day.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio welcomed relatives of Emmett Till to the Illinois Capitol in honor of the declaration of Emmett Till Day.

“On Emmett Till Day, we mourn the loss of Emmett and recognize the significance his death played in the struggle for civil rights in the United States,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township).

Senate Joint Resolution 37, introduced by Senator Lakesia Collins declares July 25, Till’s birthday, as Emmett Till Day. It honors the life of Emmett Till, who was brutally abducted, tortured and lynched in Mississippi in 1955. Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till Mobley, courageously insisted on an open-casket funeral to expose the nation to the brutality her son faced.

Read more: Porfirio recognizes Emmett Till Day, welcomes relatives of Till to the Capitol

Villivalam joins climate advocates to discuss tackling issues facing public transit

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 09:28 AM
  • Villivalam
  • Environment
  • Public Transit
  • Climate advocates

Villivalam IECSPRINGFIELD — Joining climate advocates at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday, State Senator Ram Villivalam spoke at a rally about how public transit positively impacts our environment and what can be done to address issues currently facing the state’s transit system.

“We have spent the last two years on this journey; we asked the Chicago Metropolitan Council on Planning to put together a report and convene stakeholders, had bills introduced and held over eight subject matter hearings across the region to hear over 35 hours of testimony,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We've heard repeatedly that public transit is good for our economy, it must be equitable and accessible, is necessary for equality, community quality of life, and how it is good for our environment.”

For the last 19 months, Villivalam has been working alongside stakeholders, advocates, including the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, and everyday riders to address issues facing the public transit system in the Regional Transportation Authority region amid the $771 million fiscal cliff.

Read more: Villivalam joins climate advocates to discuss tackling issues facing public transit

Villa urges funding for more licensed social workers

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 06:56 PM
  • Social Workers
  • Villa
  • HB3511

Villa HB3511SPRINGFIELD – In response to an urgent shortage of social workers in Illinois, State Senator Karina Villa introduced a measure to increase retention and hire more licensed clinical social workers in the state.

“There is a great need within our communities for experienced, empathetic, licensed social workers to provide support to those facing crisis,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Illinois is facing a widening gap between available qualified social workers and the amount of people who need their services. Our residents deserve equitable and prompt access to care, and these grants are a step in the right direction.”

House Bill 3511 would create the Nonprofit Clinical Supervision Grant Program to provide grants to nonprofit associations to hire licensed clinical social workers to fill the gap in care across Illinois. The grants would also fund group clinical supervision to fulfill requirements for clinical social worker licensure in Illinois.

Read more: Villa urges funding for more licensed social workers

Hunter-sponsored measure to ensure patients can designate an emergency contact at hospitals

Details
Category: Senator Mattie Hunter News
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 06:19 PM
  • Hunter
  • Hospitals
  • HB 1332
  • Emergency Contact

Senator Mattie Hunter

SPRINGFIELD — To further ensure patients seeking care have a chance to designate an emergency contact, State Senator Mattie Hunter is spearheading a measure to require hospitals to provide an opportunity to gather contact information.

“When someone goes to a hospital, their first worry is not when they should tell the staff who to contact in case of emergency — it’s to receive care and alleviate their symptoms,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “It is imperative that we have procedures in place to ensure the hospital can gather the information they need without placing the burden on the patient to remember to provide it.”

House Bill 1332 would require hospitals to present a patient with the opportunity to designate an emergency contact, as well as to authorize the hospital to share protected health information with this contact.

Read more: Hunter-sponsored measure to ensure patients can designate an emergency contact at hospitals

More Articles …

  1. Cervantes to give Board of Nursing more oversight in college nursing programs
  2. Preston measure to expand implicit bias training for health care workers passes Senate
  3. In wake of federal cuts, Ventura leads charge to expand Illinois broadband access
  4. Collins honors the legacy of Emmett Till
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