MEDIA ADVISORY — SPRINGFIELD — Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault often face immense pressure when taking the courageous step to file an order of protection against their abuser.

To give survivors a safer, more comfortable way to file for a protective order, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is leading a measure to allow people to request such documentation through virtual means. He will discuss how it will impact survivors at a press conference Wednesday.

“The weight of trauma a survivor carries becomes detrimental as they struggle to cope with grief and take the steps necessary to begin to heal,” Stadelman said. “By giving survivors an opportunity to file for protective orders at their own pace in the safety of their own home, we are giving them the keys to move forward.”

Grain Bin Safety Week is February 20-26

KANKAKEE – To prevent fatalities on the farm during the busy harvest season, Senate Agriculture Committee chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is joining officials in reminding farmers and farm workers to be cautious when working in and around grain bins.

“There is a responsibility that comes with living in a rural area, we have to continue to take care of friends and neighbors” Joyce said. “With delayed emergency response times, it is crucial to review all safety precautions.”

While essential to Illinois’ harvests, grain handling equipment and storage containers can quickly become dangerous. In 2020, Illinois Fire Departments responded to a nation leading 12 rescue incidents at Illinois grain bins and elevators.

Senate Democrats commend selection of new Legislative Inspector General

SPRINGFIELD – Michael McCuskey, a former public defender and judge, was selected by the Senate last week to serve as the state’s next Legislative Inspector General.

"Judge McCuskey has an impeccable record and is widely known as an extremely ethical person," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). "He has a history of working in a bipartisan manner and a distinguished record as a judge. He was nominated for a federal judgeship by Bill Clinton and confirmed by a Republican-controlled U.S. Senate and later served 15 years on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism."

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Senate approves Glowiak Hilton's initiative to expedite professional licenses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced legislation out of the Senate to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks.

“Health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and a variety of others are ready to enter their respective industries but are waiting months for their professional licenses to be issued by the state,” Glowiak Hilton said. “With this initiative, I hope to expedite the time it takes IDFPR to process applications and allow residents to get to work more quickly.”

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Pacione-Zayas measures to support students with post-graduation plans pass Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To offer students more options following graduation from high school, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) advanced two measures out of the Senate.

“Many students are pushed toward college from a young age, but it’s important for them to know that there are other options if that’s not what they want to do,” Pacione-Zayas said. “From furthering education in the trades or going straight into a career, these young adults deserve to know what else is out there.”

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Crowe measure to empower mothers who endure sexual abuse during childbirth passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – To offer support to mothers who are survivors of sexual abuse while giving birth, State Senator Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced an initiative through the Senate to allow parents to remove the physician’s name from a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

“When giving birth, women trust their physician to offer support, guidance and encouragement on one of the happiest, most memorable days of her life,” Crowe said. “Unfortunately, there are multiple cases where mothers endure sexual assault and abuse in the process, and this measure aims to remove the disgraced physician’s name from the child’s birth certificate.”

Read more.

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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to expedite the issuance of professional licenses, championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

“This measure cuts red tape for new professionals entering the workforce,” Joyce said. “Advocating for hard-working Illinoisans is my top priority and this legislation does just that.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

SPRINGFIELD - Former Department of Children and Family Services youth in care who reach the age of 18 could soon have access to search and reunion services with former foster parents or foster siblings under a measure championed by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).

“Studies have demonstrated that keeping connection with their prior foster siblings who they grew up with is an important element of their sense of permanency,” said Feigenholtz. “Youth in care that bond with their foster siblings experience a deep sense of loss when they are adopted into another family. This legislation attempts to remedy that.”

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, a process would be established by which former foster children may get in contact with their former foster parents and former foster siblings by utilizing existing search and reunion services provided at DCFS. DCFS would be required to provide youth in care, within thirty days of their eighteenth birthday, with an explanation of available search and reunion services. 

SPRINGFIELD – A measure co-sponsored by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) to require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to issue state licenses in four weeks passed the Senate.

“We have a variety of professionals waiting months for their licenses to be issued by the state, which is delaying them from getting to work” Loughran Cappel said. “By expediting the licensing process, we are making life and finances just a little easier for our vocational workers.”

The legislation was introduced after hearing word from local residents that the professional licensing process was taking too long. Under the legislation, IDFPR will be required to process applications within four weeks as long as there were no deficiencies submitted. The measure would expedite licenses for health care workers, accountants, speech pathologists and other professionals.

SPRINGFIELD - A measure spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) could reduce unnecessary paperwork and expedite receiving unclaimed property.

“Treasurer Frerichs’ efforts to return unclaimed property to rightful owners has been stellar,” said Feigenholtz. “This measure will make it even easier to cut red tape and minimizes paperwork so that smaller amounts can be redeemed more quickly.”

Under Feigenholtz’s measure, Illinoisans would be granted access to more of their unclaimed property without filing a claim. Currently, people can be granted up to $2,000 of their unclaimed money without filing a claim. Feigenholtz’s measure would raise that threshold to $5,000. 

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois will soon fund and maintain a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline available to people in crisis, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our country,” Senator Fine said. “It saddens me that many of these deaths could have been prevented if mental health resources were more accessible. Providing access to behavioral and mental health resources with this hotline will be essential to saving lives.”