SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced a measure that would ensure county coroners and medical examiners are able to receive mental health counseling if needed. 

“Our local coroners and medical examiners have the responsibility of examining the scenes of death and determining the circumstances,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These can be some disturbing scenes for anyone to witness.”

Senate Bill 2770 would add coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners to the definition of first responders for the purpose of providing them mental health counseling without any cost-sharing.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate observed Wear Red Day at the Capitol Wednesday to raise awareness for women’s heart health.

“A lack of adequate funding, research and testing in health care has left women particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, which is too often fatal,” said State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet). “Wear Red Day is part of a critical effort to raise awareness about this issue, inform women about the signs and symptoms of heart disease, and save lives by promoting early detection and preventative treatment.”

February was made American Heart Month for the first time in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson and National Wear Red Day was first established in 2002 to emphasize the prevalence of heart disease and stroke particularly in women. 

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Adriane Johnson is spearheading legislation to expand continuing education opportunities for health care professionals by allowing coursework on perimenopause and menopause to count toward Illinois’ required implicit bias awareness training.

“Women’s health — particularly during perimenopause and menopause — has too often been overlooked or dismissed,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation ensures providers can deepen their understanding of these life stages while still meeting continuing education requirements. It’s a practical step toward more responsive, patient-centered care.”

Senate Bill 3325 would permit a course covering perimenopause and menopause to satisfy the existing one-hour implicit bias awareness requirement for licensed health care professionals. Under current law, licensed health care professionals must complete at least one hour of continuing education on implicit bias awareness during each license renewal period. Failure to complete the training may result in license renewal issues or suspension.

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Steve Stadelman called a press conference Wednesday to outline critical legislation designed to eliminate gaps in protection that would leave survivors of domestic violence and stalking without enforceable safeguards.

“This bill was inspired by a courageous constituent who came forward to share her story. Her experience underscores why we must constantly review our laws to ensure they truly protect those they are meant to serve,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This measure guarantees continued protections for victims and strengthens accountability for those who violate court orders.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake) is championing a new measure to help more students earn their associate degrees by making it easier to transfer credits back to community colleges at no cost.

Senate Bill 3720 would expand reverse credit transfer so eligible students can earn an associate degree automatically once they reach 60 combined credit hours. The bill also would ensure that students are not charged any fees related to the reverse transfer process.

“Students work hard to earn every credit, and they deserve the opportunity to have that progress recognized,” said Edly-Allen. “This legislation helps remove unnecessary barriers so more students can earn a credential that strengthens their career opportunities and supports their long-term success.”

CHICAGO – Underscoring the state’s commitment to preserving and elevating sites that honor Black leadership, economic progress and cultural resilience, State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. helped announce a transformative partnership to restore and redevelop the historic Hotel Florence – along with other key buildings – within the Pullman State Historic Site on Chicago’s South Side.

“I am incredibly proud to be from and represent the Pullman community,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), who also represents the Pullman Historic District. “This forward-thinking partnership is not only a direct result of our responsible, community-centered budgeting efforts — it’s a momentous opportunity that will breathe new life into the Hotel Florence, transform the Pullman Historic Site and strengthen our broader community.”

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro celebrated a federal court’s recent decision upholding the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, paving the way for Illinois to become the first state in the nation to ban financial institutions from charging electronic processing fees on the tax and tip portions of credit and debit card transactions.

“This initiative will benefit small businesses and consumers across the state,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “This law sends a clear message that Illinois will not waver in its commitment to safeguard the pocketbooks of our hardworking residents, and it will deliver the largest relief for Main Street businesses in decades.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Steve Stadelman advanced legislation through the Senate Criminal Law Committee that would protect victims from their abusers by closing gaps that could occur between an emergency and a final order of protection.

“When a judge grants a final order of protection, the intent is clear: the victim deserves protection,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “With more than 62,000 petitions for orders of protections filed in Illinois last year alone, we know how critical these legal tools are. This initiative ensures protection remains fully enforceable and protects survivors from dangerous loopholes.”