SPRINGFIELD – Children who walk to and from school would be safer under a new proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy.

“Every parent wants to know that their child reached their school safely, but with distracted driving on the rise, even a simple walk to school can be stressful,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines.) “One thing that we can do to help reduce distraction is installing flashing beacons at crosswalks.”

Senate Bill 1941 allows local governments to install rapidly flashing beacons at pedestrian crosswalks near schools. These beacons activate when pedestrians use the crosswalk, alerting drivers to their presence.

SPRINGFIELD — In a major step toward reforming Illinois’ juvenile justice system, a measure from State Senator Robert Peters aims to raise the minimum age at which minors can be detained from 10 to 12 years old, making it clear the state is moving away from harsh detention practices and prioritizing rehabilitation.

“Our juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitation over punishment,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “By raising the age at which a minor can be detained and emphasizing alternative methods, we’re giving young people a fair chance at reformation without subjecting them to the damaging effects of detention at an early age.”

Under Peters’ measure, arrest would only be used as a last resort and under strict conditions. Minors could only be detained if there is probable cause that they committed a crime and immediate detention is necessary, or if they have repeatedly failed to appear at scheduled hearings.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes’ legislation expanding protections for immigrant workers from wrongful workplace retaliation due to issues with their paperwork has passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law.

“As the son of a single immigrant mother, I know firsthand how committed immigrant workers are to doing good work and creating a better life for themselves and their families. Their place in the workforce should not come into question due to misfiled paperwork,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “I am proud this bill will ensure immigrant workers can receive support from legal experts if their E-Verify status is called into question, and help them sort out discrepancies before losing their livelihood over a misunderstanding.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Paul Faraci is building on ongoing efforts to protect the Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois.

“Our communities rely on the Mahomet Aquifer for safe, clean drinking water – there is no backup plan,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “While carbon sequestration has potential, we cannot gamble with the health of almost one million people. This bill ensures we don’t put short-term projects ahead of long-term water security.”

Faraci’s measure would prohibit carbon sequestration over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer, enforcing sustainable practices and preventing harmful activities. This is crucial for residents of Central Illinois, as the aquifer is the only source of clean drinking water for at least half of the population it serves – meaning those residents would have no alternative should the aquifer become contaminated.

SPRINGFIELD — A task force on climate displacement and its impacts on Illinois may soon be established, thanks to legislation led by State Senator Graciela Guzmán.

“Whether we like it or not, climate change is real, and has started to displace thousands of folks from their homes because of the destruction it has brought globally,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This task force will help our state better prepare for an influx in residents fleeing environmental disaster so we can welcome new arrivals and not disrupt the lives of long-term Illinoisans.”

Climate displacement is the forced or voluntary migrations of people due to climate change or environmental degradation. With rising global water levels and more extreme weather events, Midwestern states like Illinois will see an increase in the number of people trying to escape these situations, both from other states and other nations. Without a plan in place to support the displaced individuals, there may be destabilizing impacts on the state’s infrastructure.

SPRINGFIELD — After repeatedly hearing from concerned community members and traffic safety advocates about vehicle crashes and fatalities along DuSable Lake Shore Drive, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a plan to address safety concerns on one of Chicago’s busiest traffic corridors.

“In just five years, DuSable Lake Shore Drive has seen over 16,000 crashes with 59 deaths and over 4,000 injuries,” Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) said. “Traditional speed cameras that just ticket people don’t address the root problem. We need safety solutions that accomplish more by truly changing drivers’ behavior.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation by State Senator Laura Fine to improve health insurance plan transparency for consumers passed out of the Senate today. The bill ensures consumers receive important information about changes to their insurance plans.

“Providing consumers with information about legislative changes to their health care plans can make a difference in their medical and financial planning,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Enrollees must have access to this essential information to ensure their medical needs are covered.”

Currently, health insurance providers are required to provide enrollees with a list of in-network providers and a description of their coverage annually upon request. Senate Bill 1346 would expand the list of required information to include any newly enacted state coverage mandates. The Illinois Department of Insurance would be required to post an annual report on its website with this information.

SPRINGFIELD —More people may soon have the opportunity to become homeowners through community land trusts, thanks to a new initiative from State Senator Graciela Guzmán that passed the State Senate on Thursday.

“Community land trusts are a people-first plan driven by communal power that help give everyday folks the opportunity to become homeowners and build generational wealth,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “It’s important for us to make this model more commonplace, and continue to build on its ingenuity, and this legislation will help us on that path.”