SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is championing a proposal to require high school students to learn financial literacy.

“When young people leave high school, they are given the freedom to spend and manage their money how they see fit with little or no guidance beyond what they’ve witnessed at home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “By requiring financial literacy instruction, we are equipping our young people with the ability to do things like manage a household budget, save for a home or be aware of financial fraud schemes. These are important life skills that every person can utilize.”

Under Lightford’s measure, high school students would learn about financial literacy as part of their consumer education requirement. The instruction would focus on basic economics, the principles of supply and demand, how to budget income responsibly, loan repayment, and the cost of high-interest short-term “payday” loans.

Morrison addresses the state of cancer alongside American Cancer Society

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network joined forces at a press conference to discuss the state of cancer and advocate for measures to tackle the deadly disease.

“Increasing cancer awareness and sponsoring policy that positively impacts cancer statistics is a priority,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have dropped by 25%. We must act to continue this positive progression and restore hope.”

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Edly-Allen leads measure to create inclusive new public safety task force

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen advanced legislation through the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Wednesday to create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force.

“This legislation is a public safety win for both residents and law enforcement,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “By bringing law enforcement agencies, academics, and experts together, the task force members will work together to help respond to the needs of neighborhoods and communities across Lake County and our state.”

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Villivalam and Villanueva lead clean energy discussions

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Ram Villivalam and Celina Villanueva lead discussions about achieving clean and equitable transportation, buildings and an electric grid at a press conference last week.

“Sustainable transportation must be made a priority in Illinois,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago) “It supports livable, walkable communities, enables equitable and affordable access to essential goods and services, underpins a vibrant economy, and improves public health.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman has introduced a measure that aims to allow seventeen year olds to receive blood typing services without the need for parental consent.

“Knowing your blood type is not only critical in emergency situations, but it also encourages a deeper understanding and responsibility toward one’s health,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This bill supports our young adults in making proactive health choices independently, and educating themselves on their own health.”

The legislation would enable young adults to gain greater autonomy over their health information and medical preparedness. By lowering the age threshold for blood typing without parental consent to 17, the bill recognizes the maturity of these individuals to make informed decisions about their own health care needs.

“This is about trusting our young people and giving them the tools they need to take charge of their health,” said Stadelman. “It’s a small but significant step in ensuring our health care system is responsive and accessible to everyone.”

House Bill 4271 passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced two key initiatives to expand family counseling services and disability benefits for first responders.

“First responders have to overcome an enormous amount of stress on the job, and sometimes that stress can extend to the entire family,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This initiative will strengthen their access to family counseling services, which can be used as a tool to help overcome some of that work-related stress.” 

House Bill 4460 would require every self-insured county and municipality across the state to provide coverage for marriage and couples counseling for firefighters and police officers. Coverage for marriage or couples counseling is not currently required in insurance plans for first responders because it is not considered a diagnosable mental health condition.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to protect vulnerable utility customers, State Senator Steve Stadelman has introduced legislation that would establish a Disconnection Protection Program.

“Ensuring that our residents have continuous access to basic utilities like electricity and gas is not just a matter of comfort, but of public health and safety,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This measure would prevent families from having to choose between paying for utilities and other essential needs like food and medicine, especially during times of financial difficulty.”

Low-income households that seek energy payment assistance do not currently have any protections from being disconnected by electric and gas utilities.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats paid respect to police officers who have fallen in the line of duty at the Illinois State Police Officers Memorial in Springfield Thursday.

“These brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities are the purest example of selfless duty,” said State Senator Martwick (D-Chicago). “As we honor these fallen officers, we must recognize the lasting impact these individuals have made on our communities.”

The ceremony was held at the Illinois State Police Memorial Statue, which sits on the west lawn of the state Capitol bearing the names of the fallen officers who have lost their lives on duty. Since 1990, a ceremony has been held annually to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The names of the officers who died while serving during the previous year are engraved on the monument leading up to the ceremony.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) joined forces at a press conference Thursday to discuss the state of cancer and advocate for measures to tackle the deadly disease.

“Increasing cancer awareness and sponsoring policy that positively impacts cancer statistics is a priority,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Since 1990, cancer mortality rates have dropped by 25%. We must act to continue this positive progression and restore hope.”

Nearly 80,000 Illinoisans will be diagnosed with cancer this year and 23,000 will likely lose their lives to the disease.

Currently, cancer screenings for certain types of cancer are covered by insurance as long as the patient meets the age requirement. Senator Morrison is working with ACS CAN to pass Senate Bill 2697.

SPRINGFIELD – In tandem with the beginning of Mental Health Month, State Senator Mike Simmons organized a subject matter hearing at the State Capitol to look at the increase in suicide rates in African-American communities across Illinois.

“I am deeply thankful to the people who traveled here today. It was the first time that several of our witnesses had ever been to the State Capitol,” said Simmons. “Some of them have paid the ultimate price losing loved ones to suicide and other internalized violence borne out by several systems that simply haven’t cut it when it comes to mental health and wellness in African-American communities.”

In a hearing held by the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, State Senator Mike Simmons brought critical attention to the escalating crisis of suicide rates within Black communities.