SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to help children and families build a meaningful college savings fund, Senate Higher Education Chair Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed a measure through the Senate Thursday to improve the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program.

“The price of a college education can be overwhelming when you add up tuition, books and student fees,” Bennett said. “It’s important that families start building a savings account for their children now so they are prepared for the future.” 

In 2019, the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, established as part of the Illinois treasurer’s existing Bright Start and Bright Directions programs, was signed into law. Under this law, the treasurer will automatically deposit $50 into a college savings account for every child born or adopted in Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation out of the General Assembly that would allow special education students to graduate with their peers, rather than leave school the day they turn 22.

“Special education students deserve a natural end to their final school year,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “They should be able to graduate with their friends and say goodbye the same way every other student does.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that protects the rights of those who choose to grow their own food passed out of the Senate Thursday.

“Many people across the state are trying to be more self-sufficient, a decision that shouldn’t be held back by red tape,” Koehler said. “Especially in light of hardships people are facing due to the pandemic, the option for residents to grow their own food to feed themselves and their families should be protected.”

SPRINGFIELD – Property owners’ associations couldn’t stop Illinois households from making the switch to greener energy alternatives under a plan sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), which has passed the Senate.

“Solar panels are one of the best tools we have to make our homes greener and cleaner,” Johnson said. “Homeowners who want to install this technology on their own property shouldn’t have to wrestle with obstacles and delays.”

The legislation would expand the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act to prevent property owners’ associations from enacting policies that outright or effectively prohibit their members from installing solar energy systems on buildings under 60 feet in height that do not have a shared roof. Currently, the act only covers buildings under 30 feet in height.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure schools are sensitive to the health and wellness of students of all backgrounds, State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) sponsored a plan to permit students to avoid rigorous physical activity during periods of religious fasting, which has been approved by both chambers of the Illinois legislature.

“Common PE activities like running and playing sports can be particularly exhausting—and even dangerous—when kids are hungry,” Johnson said. “The passage of this bill shows Illinois’ commitment to the health and safety of kids across all our communities.”

SPRINGFIELD – Any person who has been convicted for a drug-related offense under state or federal law is prohibited from being eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, but State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading an initiative to reverse that restriction, which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Even after people serve their time, they still struggle when reentering society, as many of their rights have been taken from them,” Van Pelt. “They are released and ready to make a change—but laws like the restriction on TANF limit their ability to make a better life for themselves.”

SPRINGFIELD – Epilepsy specialists would be reimbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for providing telehealth treatment services under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Telehealth has become beneficial for many individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this measure will help ensure Illinoisans can seek treatment in the way that’s most comfortable for them,” Senator Fine said.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinoisans filing claims for disability benefits would not be required to pay for mandatory copies of medical records under legislation from State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which passed the Senate Thursday.

“Individuals applying for benefits should not have to jump through hoops and pay unnecessary fees for records required to file benefits claims,” Senator Fine said. “Benefit programs should help people struggling financially, not add to their financial burden.”