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Edly-Allen, Morrison champion measures to combat online harassment

Details
Category: Member News
Friday, May 19, 2023 11:51 AM
  • Morrison
  • Online Safety
  • Edly-Allen
  • Deepfake
  • Doxing
  • HB2954
  • HB2123

morrison 052223SPRINGFIELD – With bipartisan support, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus passed measures to combat the growing online harassment that stems from both deepfakes and doxing.

During a press conference Friday, members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus discussed how these bills will protect Illinoisans in all corners of the state.

“Deepfakes are a way to deploy gender-based violence, harnessing artificial intelligence to exploit, humiliate and harass through the age-old tactic of stripping women of sexual autonomy and to silence innocent women,” said State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Despite the rise of deepfakes, until House Bill 2123 there were no consequences for bad actors.”

Read more: Edly-Allen, Morrison champion measures to combat online harassment

Peters: Individuals with prior justice system involvement should be able to move on with their lives, instead of being defined by past mistakes

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Friday, May 19, 2023 11:50 AM
  • Criminal Records
  • Background Checks
  • IDFPR
  • HB2826

peters 051923SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may soon be unable to require criminal background information from certain applicants for licensure, thanks to a measure carried by State Senator Robert Peters.

“Requiring criminal background information when it can’t be used against an applicant for licensure opens the floodgates for those with prior justice system involvement to experience discrimination based on the negative biases associated with a criminal record,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Individuals with prior justice system involvement should be able to move on with their lives, instead of being defined by past mistakes.”

Read more: Peters: Individuals with prior justice system involvement should be able to move on with their...

Senator Fine to require insurance plans to cover annual mental health prevention and wellness visits

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Category: Senator Laura Fine News
Friday, May 19, 2023 11:38 AM
  • Mental Health
  • Fine
  • Insurance
  • HB 2847
  • Wellness Visits

fine 2847

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine, chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, is leading a measure to ensure Illinoisans can have annual mental health wellness visits covered under their insurance at no additional cost.

“Just as people need yearly physical checkups to make sure their health is in order, people need annual checkups for their mental health,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Covering these annual visits will encourage people to seek necessary treatment for their mental health.”

House Bill 2847 would require health insurance plans under the Insurance Code, State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the School Code to cover annual mental health checkups and wellness visits starting in 2025. It also encourages the Illinois Department of Public Health to engage in an educational campaign to bring awareness to the public regarding mental health and wellness. These initiatives will continue to normalize prioritizing and treating mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being throughout the state.

Read more: Senator Fine to require insurance plans to cover annual mental health prevention and wellness visits

Cook County Pension Fund to be fully funded under Martwick measure

Details
Category: Senator Robert Martwick News
Friday, May 19, 2023 11:31 AM
  • Pensions
  • Martwick
  • Cook County
  • HB2352

State Senator Robert MartwickSPRINGFIELD — Legislation passed by State Senator Robert Martwick will secure the finances of the Cook County Pension Fund and protect taxpayers.


“Thanks to the incredible dedication and fiscal discipline implemented by President Toni Preckwinkle and her administration, the Cook County Pension Fund is one of the few pension systems in the state whose fund balance has improved over the course of the last decade,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “This measure ensures that retirees will receive the benefits they have earned and protects taxpayers from future property tax increases by codifying these fiscally responsible practices.”

 

Read more: Cook County Pension Fund to be fully funded under Martwick measure

Harmon moves to ban deceptive marketing of firearms

Details
Category: Senator Don Harmon News
Thursday, May 18, 2023 07:59 PM
  • Consumer Protection
  • Harmon
  • Firearms Marketing to Children
  • SB218

harmon 051823SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) passed legislation today prohibiting firearms manufacturers and sellers from marketing weapons to children and from promoting illegal militia activity.

The measure also makes it illegal for any firearms dealer to knowingly create a condition that endangers public safety. Examples of such situations include failure to prevent the sale of a firearm to a straw purchaser and failure to ensure that business practices comply with all local, state and federal laws. 

 

Read more: Harmon moves to ban deceptive marketing of firearms

Villanueva continues fight for equitable restrooms

Details
Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
Thursday, May 18, 2023 06:37 PM
  • Gender Neutral
  • Villanueva
  • All-Gender Restroom
  • HB 1286

Villanueva floor May 18 copy

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva continued her fight to allow gender-neutral, multi-occupancy restrooms to be installed in private and public businesses.

“By passing this legislation, we are ensuring that people of the LGBTQ community have a comfortable and safe space to use the restroom like everyone else in the state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This bill is about inclusivity – for not just the LGBTQ community, but for people with disabilities, older adults and families with young children.”

In January 2020, it became law that all single occupancy public bathrooms in Illinois become gender neutral.

House Bill 1286 expands on that law, allowing businesses to create gender-neutral multi-occupancy restrooms. However, the legislation is permissive – gender specific multiple-occupancy restrooms are still allowed.

Read more: Villanueva continues fight for equitable restrooms

Ellman expands fentanyl education efforts

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, May 18, 2023 04:18 PM
  • Public Health
  • Ellman
  • IDPH
  • Fentanyl
  • HB 3924

Ellman 051723CM0088 copy

 

SPRINGFIELD – High school students could soon be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman.

“Increasing awareness through education is an effective way to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Educating high school students, hopefully before they are exposed to fentanyl, could mean all the difference between a dependency on addictive opioids and connection to a non-addictive medication.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a lethal dose of fentanyl is smaller than a drop of water. Opioids, including fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs such as hydrocodone or oxycodone, are involved in 70% of fatal drug overdoses.

Read more: Ellman expands fentanyl education efforts

New tax credits announced for blue collar workers in Illinois

Details
Category: Senator Mike Halpin News
Thursday, May 18, 2023 03:59 PM
  • Economic Development
  • Blue Collar Jobs Act
  • Halpin

halpin 051823SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity yesterday announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act Tax Credit application for eligible companies. BCJA is a bipartisan legislative package designed to promote economic expansion and growth in Illinois by incentivizing construction projects. The legislation makes $20 million in tax credits available per year for eligible companies.

“Finally, we’ve got a tax credit that rewards blue collar workers rather than the guys in the corner office,” said State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island). “We want more business here in Illinois and we have the workforce to build them. I hope to see these businesses come to Illinois to help expand the economy, and to see our workers share in the incentives the state has to offer.”

Read more: New tax credits announced for blue collar workers in Illinois

More Articles …

  1. Villivalam passes legislation to provide for safer, more affordable transit
  2. Bipartisan group of Senators outline critical response plan for schools, law enforcement
  3. Senate South Suburban Corridor Members celebrate new airport, bringing jobs and revenue to the area
  4. Villa bill to cover emergency workers’ health insurance passes Senate
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