SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced legislation from the Senate on Thursday to expand protections for service and companion animal in Illinois.

“This legislation is necessary to ensure companion and working animals will have protections in place if need be,” Villa said (D-West Chicago). “Animal cruelty is a harsh reality that happens far too often. Adding these additional safeguards will protect animals across the state.”

Senate Bill 1499, which makes changes to the Humane Care for Animals Act, allows a law enforcement officer to legally take possession of the companion animal of someone arrested who strikes, harms, injures, tampers with or kills police animals, service dogs, detection dogs or search and rescue dogs; poisons animals; or confines animals in a motor vehicle for a dangerous amount of time. Current law allows law enforcement to take possession of an animal only when making an arrest involving cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, animal torture or animal entertainment.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to require public institutions to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities if they meet transparent eligibility requirements passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law.

“Destigmatizing disabilities in our society is a multi-step process,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Ensuring accommodations are easily accessible to university students is a good place to start.”

Currently, federal law only protects students with disabilities seeking public higher education from being discriminated against based on their disability and does not outline the need for reasonable academic accommodations past high school. Senate Bill 99 would establish a process for students with disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations from public universities and colleges.

SPRINGFIELD – To protect nursing home residents from harsh restraining practices, State Senator Karina Villa fought for a protective measure to pass out of the Senate on Thursday. 

“When entrusting nursing homes with our loved ones, we want to know they are going to the safest place possible that will take care of them,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This legislation will ensure nursing homes do not engage in any restraining practices that could be more harmful than helpful to its residents.”

Senate Bill 1497 prohibits the use of physical restraints and the misuse of psychotropic medications to restrain nursing home residents. According to American Association of Retired Persons, Illinois is the second worst state in the misuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes in America.

The bill also clarifies the difference between positioning devices and physical restraints and allows a resident or their representative to still request a positioning device. Positioning devices are usually a body or belt harness which provide someone additional support for their stability, posture and function when sitting or on their back. When using a positioning device, the health care provider must ensure that it does not restrict the resident’s freedom to move or get out of bed.

SPRINGFIELD – If you’re an Illinois resident, chances are you’ve received mail that says, “final notice,” on it and were left confused wondering if it’s actually a bill or just a marketing scam.

State Senator Rachel Ventura is working to end the practice of “final notice” letters sent regarding warranties, protection plan, insurance and more – a plan she outlined at a press conference Thursday.

“Far too often new home owners and seniors are the victims of fake final notices,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “We must end this dishonest business practice so that no one is tricked into purchasing goods or services they don’t need. People shouldn’t have to deal with anxiety-inducing scam letters like these.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura led a measure through the Senate which would codify into law that the odor of raw or burnt cannabis would not alone constitute probable cause for search of a motor vehicle. Senate Bill 125 would be protecting every Illinoisans’ 4th Amendment rights.

“People – especially people of color – are unnecessarily pulled over far too often,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “The odor of cannabis alone shouldn’t be one of those reasons. Cannabis is legal in Illinois and it’s a pungent scent that can stick to clothes for extended periods of time.”

Under Ventura’s measure, cannabis odor would not constitute as probable cause for searching a driver or passengers of a vehicle. Additionally, the legislation would remove the requirements that a driver or passenger in a vehicle must store cannabis in an odor proof container.

This bill was modeled after a judge ruling in Will County on a criminal court case. The defendant was pulled over and opened his window when the arresting officer detected a "strong odor of burnt cannabis emitting from the vehicle." The defendant had admitted someone had smoked cannabis in the car "a long time ago."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler led a measure through the Senate to create awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

“Our state has a lot of history with the Underground Railroad,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Illinois played a huge role in the path toward freedom. Through a new task force, we will map the search for freedom and justice for African Americans throughout the 1800s.”

Senate Bill 1623 would create the Underground Railroad Task Force. The group would develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

The task force would identify where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will paint a picture to recognize the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois. It would also introduce educational and tourism opportunities throughout the state.

SPRINGFIELD – Home visiting is an essential program in the early childhood ecosystem that helps eligible parents and caregivers support their child’s development from the prenatal phase through age five. A legislative initiative introduced by State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas, which would codify home visiting programs administered by the Department of Human Services as they have done for over 30 years, passed through the Senate on Wednesday, March 29. 

“All parents want to provide the best environment in which to raise their child, but the resources needed to best support their children may be inaccessible for many caregivers,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Home visiting programs help connect families to community resources that can provide the support their children need to succeed, while also prioritizing greater family stability.”  

Typical home visits involve in-person interviews with family members and caregivers, guidance on promoting safety in the family’s living space and coaching on approaches to parenting that promote healthy development.  

SPRINGFIELD – In continuing the fight for reproductive rights for women, State Senator Celina Villanueva passed legislation that prevents crisis pregnancy centers from using deceptive practices that interfere with women’s health care decisions.

“We must ensure that women who are seeking reproductive health care are protected from deceptive and misleading practices,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “At a time when they are already vulnerable, they must have peace of mind that they won’t be taken advantage of. Health care – in all forms – should be safe and transparent.”

Senate Bill 1909 prohibits the use of deceptive practices to interfere with an individual seeking to gain entry or access to the provider of an abortion or emergency contraceptives, induce an individual to enter a limited services pregnancy center, in advertising, soliciting, or otherwise offering pregnancy-related services, or in providing pregnancy-related services.