SPRINGFIELD – As the world continues to rely on the use of electronics, State Senator Dave Koehler is spearheading a measure to ensure batteries are properly disposed in Illinois.

“Although using electronic alternatives are great for the environment, the lack of proper disposal of batteries can lead to more environmental harm,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “This measure begins a much-needed detailed plan for battery recycling.”

Senate Bill 3686 would require businesses who sell or distribute batteries to develop a recycling stewardship program. Sellers and distributors would be required to create a small to medium-sized battery recycling program by 2026. Medium-sized batteries would include batteries made for electric bikes and electric scooters. By 2029, businesses must include appropriate labeling for all batteries to ensure proper collection and recycling.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats expressed their support for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by wearing purple for the Alzheimer’s Association Day of Action Wednesday.

“I am honored to stand alongside advocates and demonstrate our commitment to supporting the thousands of Illinois residents living with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “We must continue to prioritize improvements to state resources to support not only individuals diagnosed with the disease, but their caretakers and loved ones as well.” 

In Illinois, 230,000 people live with dementia and 300,000 people are caregivers for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association Day of Action aims to make Illinois dementia capable by advocating for legislation focused on improving the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s.

SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for seniors to keep the property tax exemptions they are qualified for, State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a measure that would permanently remove the requirement for senior homeowners to renew their senior citizen homestead exemption.

“My aim is to simplify real estate taxes for our seniors, while also giving more residents an opportunity to benefit from this tax break,” said Ellman (D-Naperville).

Between 2019 and 2023, the requirement to reapply for the senior citizens homestead exemption was temporarily removed under a pilot program. Currently, in all counties in Illinois, apart from Cook, there is no review requirement to assess these tax exemptions. Senate Bill 2878 would permanently remove the renewal requirement and make reviews a permanent requirement for Cook County.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin helped secure nearly $100,000 in funding heading to Carl Sandburg College to help increase the number of professional nurses in Illinois.

“If we want better health care access, we have to make strategic investments in the health care workforce,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “There is a pressing need for professional nurses in hospitals and medical centers across Western Illinois. That’s why it’s so critical we actually try to solve the issue, and not just sit on our hands.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded a total of $96,401 through a nursing school grant to Carl Sandburg College. The grant was awarded through a competitive application process where institutions submitted enrollment, retention, completion and job placement rates of their students during a multi-year period and how grant funds would be used to enhance their program’s efforts to close equity gaps and improve student success.

SPRINGFIELD – To increase public safety, State Senator Doris Turner is sponsoring a measure that would suspend EMS professionals who have been charged with a crime while performing their duties.

“We have to ensure people’s safety is our number one priority,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “When there’s an emergency, we need to be able to trust the professionals who respond and take care of us.”

Senate Bill 3134 would allow the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, or their designee, to determine if the suspension of an EMS professional should extend statewide. This would apply in situations when an EMS professional has been charged with a crime while performing their official duties and continuing to practice poses the possibility of harm to the public.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure that would hold funeral homes accountable by reestablishing integrity and trust in the death care industry. Her legislation, Senate Bill 2643, comes in response to a Carlinville funeral home insufficiently handling human remains, giving over 60 families the wrong remains.

“Since the news broke about the Carlinville funeral home, I have been working with Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon to ensure this never happens again in the state of Illinois,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “It’s clear – the status quo isn’t working. We have to hold bad actors accountable in the death care industry.”

Senate Bill 2643 would add identification rules and regulations for the handling and storing of human bodies. When the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation receives a complaint, the agency would be required to inspect the premises within 10 calendar days.

Turner’s initiative would require funeral establishments and crematory authorities to maintain a chain of custody records that are uniquely identified to the deceased, ensuring that the death care industry is able to identify the human remains in its possession through final disposition.

“I’ve heard directly from families who have been forced to relive the death of their loved one,” said Turner. “Dead or alive, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. With this legislation, I hope no family will receive the dreaded call that they were given the wrong remains.”

Senate Bill 2643 passed the Senate Executive Committee and heads to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – The rise of co-branded alcoholic beverages – like Hard Mountain Dew and Spiked Sunny-D – has piqued the interest of children. Whether the marketing is intentional or not, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to put a stop to the issue by restricting the location certain alcohol items can be displayed and sold.

"We are taking steps to underscore our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our youth," said Lightford (D-Maywood). "By limiting the proximity of co-branded alcoholic beverages to items targeting children, we aim to diminish the potential influence of alcohol-related marketing on impressionable minds."

Co-branded alcoholic beverages contain the same or similar brand name, logo or packaging as a non-alcoholic beverage. Senate Bill 2625 would prohibit stores over 2,500 square feet – which primarily is anything bigger than a convenience store – from displaying co-branded alcoholic beverages immediately adjacent to soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, candy, or snack foods portraying cartoons or child-oriented images.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to mitigate increased health risks associated with adults who are unable to take care of themselves, State Senator Laura Fine advanced a measure that implements a procedure for developing a treatment plan suitable to the patient’s needs. 

“Although our state has made progress in advancing clinical care, we need to enhance procedures for protecting adults who may not be able to take care of themselves,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This legislation streamlines essential care to patients who unfortunately do not have the ability to care for themselves by ensuring they receive timely access to recommended services.”