SPRINGFIELD — Illinois families will soon have greater support in caring for children involved in the foster care system, thanks to a new law led by State Senator Mattie Hunter.

“Maintaining connections to families and traditions is critical for youth in care,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “When family members step up to care for a child, they shouldn’t have to navigate complex processes to access available support or resources.”

House Bill 4781 — also known as the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act — aims to reinforce family connections and improve outcomes for children in foster care. This new law will strengthen family engagement by requiring the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to notify relatives within 30 days of a child’s entry into care.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the Senate Public Health Committee’s approval of Senate Bill 93, State Senator Willie Preston joined fellow lawmakers and advocates at a press conference Wednesday to highlight his legislation to ban the use of harmful food additives.

“Consumers in Illinois should have full faith and trust in the foods and products they are consuming,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Right now, Illinoisans are consuming harmful products without realizing it. We must focus on consumer safety and offer clear directives to food manufactures in order to keep all of Illinois healthy.”

Senate Bill 93, better known as the Illinois Food Safety Act,  would ban specific, dangerous food additives from being used in the manufacturing, delivering, distributing, holding or selling of food products. These additives include potassium bromate and propylparaben.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure aimed at addressing the increase in congenital syphilis cases in Illinois. 

“As congenital syphilis continues to rise in Illinois and across the country, this bill is important in advancing syphilis testing practices to ensure the health of a baby and the individual birthing them,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is incredibly important to catch syphilis while it is conventional and can be treated.”

Senate Bill 119 would require the second syphilis test conducted on pregnant individuals to be done between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to ensure treatment can begin at least 30 days before delivery. The measure would also expand authorization to administer the test to health care professionals who are qualified in addition to physicians.

SPRINGFIELD – Continuing her work as an environmental advocate, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a few new measures to support green infrastructure loans for municipalities and counties, as well as limit the state’s role in deforestation.

"Meeting our state's clean energy goals and tackling the climate crisis requires real investment in our communities. That’s why expanding low-cost financial options for local governments is critical to accelerating the transition to clean energy,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).

Under one measure proposed by Ventura, the Illinois Finance Authority would be allowed to reallocate funds from inactive programs to assist in the development and implementation of clean energy initiatives. With this change, $36 million would become available to support the Illinois Climate Bank— which provides financing to help communities transition to clean energy — ultimately improving climate resiliency and promoting equitable growth across Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD - Emphasizing the importance of public health, State Senator Willie Preston advanced legislation to ban harmful chemicals in candy, soda and other food items sold and produced in Illinois. Given the recent Federal Food and Drug Administration ban on red dye No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil (BVO), Preston intends to amend the bill.

“Illinoisans shouldn’t have to fear that their food is harmful,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Many people don’t even realize what is in their food and we have to put a stop to that.”

Senate Bill 93 in current language would ban the manufacturing of food products containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye No. 3. Additionally, the legislation would prohibit businesses from selling or distributing food products containing these additives.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine and Doris Turner held a press conference Tuesday to introduce two measures that would support new mothers when it comes to feeding their babies.

“Working mothers are constantly juggling to find balance to provide for their children not only financially, but also emotionally and nutritionally,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This measure will support working mothers by providing them time to breastfeed their baby during the work day without having to risk their economic interests.”

Fine’s measure, Senate Bill 212, would require employers to provide 30 minutes of paid break time to nursing mothers so they may express or "pump" breast milk for their child. Under current law, employers are required to provide a reasonable amount of time to nursing mothers to pump breast milk during the day. However, there’s no requirement that it be paid time and reasonable is not defined.

CHICAGO — State Senator Julie Morrison received the Illinois Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts at their annual conference this month.

“Parks are for everyone — creating recreational opportunities for children and adults alike,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “The IAPD is instrumental in advocating for recreation opportunities and natural resources within our state, and I look forward to future collaboration to make more accessible open spaces a reality.”

Morrison was recognized for her support of legislation promoting park districts, forest preserves, and recreation and conservation agencies across Illinois. She has been a longtime advocate for Illinois parks and continues to support park districts throughout the state through initiatives like the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program.

SPRINGFIELD – Following the water rate hikes that affected Bolingbrook and the surrounding area, State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a measure that would allow municipalities to buy back their private water lines through a ballot referendum. The measure is being supported in the house by Representative Dagmara Avelar.

“Water is essential to all life — I believe water should never be privatized for this reason. We cannot allow profits to be put over people,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect access to clean, affordable drinking water, as well as advocate to reform water policies that have continually hurt consumers.”

SB 1513 follows recent water rate hikes in Bolingbrook and surrounding areas in July 2024, which sparked public outrage with residents citing already high water bills and rising living expenses. Under the proposed legislation, a municipality would be able to buy back their water rights from private water utility companies using eminent domain, led by a vote via referendum in any regular election.