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Van Pelt bill to create task force on organ donations

Details
Category: Senator Patricia Van Pelt News
Friday, July 09, 2021 04:02 PM
  • Organ Donation
  • Van Pelt
  • SB363

operation

SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to create the Task Force on Best Practices and Licensing of Non-Transplant Organ Donation Organizations was signed into law Friday.

“When people sign up to be organ donors, they are putting their trust in the fact that their organs will be properly kept, and used for science or educational purposes. Unfortunately, there have been cases where family members of the deceased suspected foul play,” Van Pelt said. “There needs to be more regulations in place in order to ensure the safety of organ donations.”

In recent years, the FBI discovered that Biological Resource Center Inc. in states including Illinois, Michigan and Arizona had been misusing donated body parts in a gruesome and criminal manner.

Read more: Van Pelt bill to create task force on organ donations

Loughran Cappel legislation to expand school zone times signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:58 PM
  • Safety
  • Loughran Cappel
  • School Zones
  • HB343

school zone

SHOREWOOD –  A piece of bipartisan legislation, led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and State Representative Mark Batinick, that would expand the period of time in which school zone speed limits are active was signed into law today.

“Prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our students is a choice,” Loughran Cappel said. “Reckless driving must be discouraged, especially in school zones,

Under current school speed zone rules, children are to be assumed present between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, Plainfield-area high schools begin classes at 7:05 and students arrive during a timeframe when school zone rules are not yet active. Additionally, numerous students arrive before 7 a.m. to attend before school programs, tutoring or other extracurricular activities.

Read more: Loughran Cappel legislation to expand school zone times signed into law

New Ellman law increases retirement fairness for Illinois firefighters

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:54 PM
  • Pensions
  • Firefighters
  • Ellman
  • SB167

firefighters

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois firefighters will be able to worry less about their retirement under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Friday.

“This law creates a level playing field for all of Illinois’ firefighters,” Ellman said. “Prior law failed to address an oversight that would have caused hundreds of firefighters to lose out on time they’ve served when they retire.”

Previously, firefighters outside of Chicago who began work after 2011 were not allowed to purchase service credit after changing employers. The new law ensures all firefighters can purchase service credit if they move to a new employer who is covered by a different fire pension fund.

Read more: New Ellman law increases retirement fairness for Illinois firefighters

Villa measure to compensate employees for wage theft signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:52 PM
  • Villa
  • Wage Theft
  • HB118

kitchen

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to deter wage theft, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) sponsored a new law that increases the amount employers who underpay their employees must pay in damages.

“It is unacceptable for an employer to withhold hardworking employees’ wages,” Villa said. “Working families across Illinois deserve to be justly compensated and should receive increased damages for cases of wage theft.” 

Currently, employees who do not receive wages in a timely manner are entitled to file a claim to recover their unpaid wages, plus damages totaling 2% of the amount of monthly underpayments. Villa’s legislation will increase the percentage paid in damages from 2% to 5% to more effectively deter wage theft by employers.

Read more: Villa measure to compensate employees for wage theft signed into law

Universities to remove standardized test requirement for acceptance under new law

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:45 PM
  • Belt
  • Higher Education
  • ACT and SAT
  • Fair Admissions Act

testing

SPRINGFIELD – Students can choose whether or not to submit their ACT and SAT scores when applying to Illinois colleges and universities, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law Friday.

“Standardized tests are not what universities need to rely on when accepting students,” Belt said. “This necessary transition away from test scores will benefit those students who have the capability to be accepted into Illinois’ universities, but may struggle with test anxieties.”

The new law, led by Belt and House Sponsor LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis), creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act, which would prohibit Illinois’ public universities from relying solely on a student’s ACT or SAT score to make an admissions decision.

Read more: Universities to remove standardized test requirement for acceptance under new law

Routine dental care could come to schools under Morrison law

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:35 PM
  • Morrison
  • IDHFS
  • SB346
  • Preventative Dental Services

dentist

SPRINGFIELD – To prevent poor dental health among children and teens that can cause lifelong health consequences, State Senator Julie Morrison’s (D-Lake Forest) proposal to allow preventative dental services within schools was signed into law Friday.

“Routine dental care isn’t just about appearance – it’s about overall health and well-being that can affect every part of a child’s life,” Morrison said. “It’s time we treat dental care like other preventative health care.”

Under the law, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services could put in place a school-based dental program that would allow out-of-office preventative services – like teeth cleanings.

Read more: Routine dental care could come to schools under Morrison law

Castro’s Housing is Recovery Pilot Program signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:31 PM
  • Mental Health
  • Castro
  • Substance Abuse
  • HB449

Sen. Cristina Castro

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) spearheaded a new law to create a program that will help people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders by enabling access to affordable housing and support services.

“Supporting those struggling the most in our communities is a top priority,” Castro said. “Taking a ‘Housing First’ approach to mental illness and addiction treatment will ensure that those most vulnerable are treated with dignity and compassion.”

Often, people with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder lack affordable housing, causing increased institutionalization, incarceration or risk of death from an overdose. This law creates the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program to help prevent people with a serious mental illness or people who are at high risk of overdose due to lack of support services from being institutionalized or dying.

Read more: Castro’s Housing is Recovery Pilot Program signed into law

Murphy: New law allows student athletes to be their authentic selves on and off the field

Details
Category: Senator Laura Murphy News
Friday, July 09, 2021 03:23 PM
  • Murphy
  • HB120
  • Student Athletes

Sen. Laura Murphy

SPRINGFIELD – Students of all backgrounds can represent their schools with confidence under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) giving students more flexibility in the design of their athletic uniforms.

“Athletic uniforms are about establishing a sense of camaraderie between team members, but for many students, the design of a uniform can be a barrier,” Murphy said. “This law represents a step forward for diversity and inclusion in Illinois.”

The law enables student athletes at public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and community colleges in Illinois to modify their athletic or team uniform to be in accordance with their cultural values, modesty standards or religion.

The legislation was sponsored in the House by State Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).

Read more: Murphy: New law allows student athletes to be their authentic selves on and off the field

More Articles …

  1. Governor signs “Hayli’s Law” spearheaded by Senator Joyce
  2. Turner urges University of Illinois-Springfield to reverse phase out plan for local NPR funding
  3. Hastings to host second annual A Taste of Victory Job Fair
  4. Loughran Cappel, Connor partner to host virtual workshops for local job seekers
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