SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt scored a win for Metro East manufacturing and labor with the passage of his bill to enhance career and technical education opportunities.

“If we want to bring back and build up manufacturing in the Metro East, we need to build the labor pool,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Career and technical education can help a young person create a stable career, leading to a stable family and ultimately a stable Metro East.”

Senate Bill 58 would expand a current program that is successful in other parts of the state to the Metro East. The program allows manufacturing companies to partner with local community colleges and high schools to set up technical training programs that would translate directly into a job. This creates a targeted labor pool that connects prospective workers with the manufacturers in their community.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all youth in foster care have a pathway to independence, State Senator Lakesia Collins moved legislation that would establish a transition process to ensure youth aging out of care are provided with opportunities to succeed.

“As someone who has experienced the hardships of growing out of foster care, I know how important it is to create pathways for children to succeed,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “By giving foster children opportunities to learn and navigate adulthood, we are giving them a better future.”

Under Senate Bill 1504, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services would be required to develop a transition plan for youth age 15 and older to help prepare them for their transition out of care. Currently, youth in care are not eligible to receive most services after the age of 21, and the vast majority transition out of DCFS care on their 21^st birthdays or earlier.

SPRINGFIELD — Through a new bill, State Senator Mark Walker aims to crack down on more than $163 million lost to cryptocurrency fraud in Illinois in 2023.

“The rise of digital assets has opened the door for financial opportunity, but also for bankruptcy, fraud and deceptive practices,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “We must set standards for those who have evolved in the crypto business to ensure they are credible, honest actors.”

Senate Bill 1797, also known as the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act, would allow the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to manage guidelines that crypto companies must follow. Through Walker’s bill, IDFPR would be able to adopt rules to protect consumer assets and investments.

SPRINGFIELD — Veterans could receive expanded leave for health care visits thanks to a new bill sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio.

“Veterans across Illinois have earned and deserve the best medical care possible for their service and sacrifice,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “We must support our service members by empowering them to get the care and treatment they need.”

Porfirio’s proposed bill would guarantee veteran employees four days per year to receive medical care and treatment they need. Current law restricts visits to hospitals and clinics for examinations only. This bill would authorize veterans to receive care at any health care provider or facility. The bill also expands the acceptable reasons for leave to include treatment for medical conditions.

SPRINGFIELD — When drivers neglect to move over for emergency personnel and roadside incidents, they put lives at risk. Recognizing the need for improved safety measures, State Senator Julie Morrison advanced an initiative to enhance protections for those working on and assisting along our highways.

“Police officers directing traffic, highway maintenance workers clearing debris and kind bystanders who stop to lend a hand all deserve to know they are safe at the scene,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation is about better protecting those who put themselves at risk to help others.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to mandate training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

“We are losing too many of our friends and family to heart disease,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Ensuring that our emergency dispatchers are well-equipped to handle these situations will save lives.”

Senate Bill 1295 would mandate all 911 telecommunicators and emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in telecommunicator CPR. T-CPR involves a dispatcher providing over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the murder of Sonya Massey, State Senator Doris Turner is leading two measures that advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee Thursday.

“Sonya’s tragic murder brought to light the unjust hiring practices within the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The legislative measures come from conversations with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members. We have to take the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is leading an initiative to establish the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission to preserve Illinois' history and honor the legacy of freedom seekers.

“This is an opportunity to recognize the courage of those who sought freedom and to educate future generations about Illinois’ role in the Underground Railroad,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By identifying and preserving these historic sites, we can ensure their stories are never forgotten.”

Senate Bill 1607 would create the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission, which would be tasked with researching, commemorating and promoting sites significant to the journey of freedom seekers in Illinois. The commission would work to establish educational initiatives, preserve historical landmarks, and administer grants to support these efforts.