SPRINGFIELD – In a victory for northern Illinoisans with mental illnesses and their families, a plan proposed by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) to eliminate barriers to mental health care access has passed both houses of the Illinois government.

“For many patients, being able to stay connected with loved ones during care can mean a faster recovery and a smoother transition to life after treatment,” Johnson said. “The passage of this measure is great news for northern Illinois residents, who will now be able to receive care at a location that’s more convenient for them and their families.”

The legislation would create the Interstate Contracts for Mental Health Disorder Treatment Act, allowing Illinois and Wisconsin residents who are involuntarily admitted for inpatient treatment of a mental health disorder to be treated at private facilities across state lines.

For residents who live near the border of Illinois and Wisconsin, the closest qualified hospital or facility is often not in their home state. However, current law prohibits residents from being committed for mental health conditions outside the state, meaning that these residents must undergo treatment hours from family and loved ones.

Similar collaborative arrangements have been successfully enacted in Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota, which allow providers in these states to accept patients from Wisconsin for mental health treatment.

“Expanding access to mental health treatment means making it easier for people to receive care that fits their needs,” Johnson said. “Part of that is allowing patients to seek treatment within their own communities.”

Senate Bill 1966 passed the House and Senate with unanimous support.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has more lead lines that bring drinking water into homes than any other state. To make sure communities have the money to replace those lines and keep drinking water safe, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) has spearheaded the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in the Senate.

“Lead service lines are a health threat that poisons our children, undermines our residents’ confidence in our municipal government and costs billions of dollars,” Bush said. “This measure is a feasible and equitable path forward that would require all cities in Illinois to tackle a problem that we know harms Black and Latinx communities the most.”

SPRINGFIELD – The Senate Labor Committee approved a measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) that will allow teachers and other school employees to use paid sick leave after fostering, adopting or giving birth to a child.

"Today's Illinois families are formed and function quite differently than when these laws were originally written,” Feigenholtz said. "New parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and single parents, should have flexibility to decide how and when to use their earned time off to care for and bond with their new child.”

House Bill 816 redefines how teachers and other school employees outside of Chicago are able to use 30 working days of paid sick leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child at any time within the year after the child joins the family.

SPRINGFIELD – Central Illinois communities will see more than $400 million in funding for road and bridge projects over the next six years as part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Thursday.

“The Rebuild Illinois program is the largest infrastructure investment in Illinois’ history, and continues to have a transformational impact on Central Illinois,” Turner said. “This financial commitment is not just about streets and highways or roads and bridges. It has a much larger and life-changing impact. Through this funding and Investment infrastructure we are invigorating communities, promoting healthy living spaces, spurring economic development, and putting people to work in good union jobs right here in our own neighborhoods.”

MARYVILLE – In partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced four infrastructure projects to improve roads and bridges throughout the Metro East.

“As our state progresses on the road to economic recovery, these local infrastructure investments come at a critical time for the Metro East,” Crowe said. “By updating local roads and bridges, we can ensure dependable modes of transportation for commuters and families while creating labor jobs for residents.”

IDOT announced four major infrastructure projects representing an estimated $31.2 million in investments for the Metro East, including:

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that would allow water and sewer utilities to provide an additional financial assistance program passed committee on Thursday.

“Water and sewer services are essential services. You need them to live. Unfortunately, it’s often the case that low-income customers cannot afford their monthly bills,” Belt said. “This measure would help lessen that financial burden for these customers.” 

Utility providers can choose to opt-in to the program, managed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to ensure low-income citizens’ water and sewer services are available and affordable.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) that automatically extends homestead exemptions for civilians and veterans with disabilities, as well as senior citizens, advanced out of the Senate Revenue committee Wednesday evening.

“The past year has been challenging for all of us,” Connor said. “As we work to provide relief, we must lend a helping hand to people who were already struggling before the pandemic.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) advanced legislation through the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee Thursday to continue efforts to protect Illinois communities from toxic coal ash pollution.

“Coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal in a power plant, is extremely hazardous and can leave a lasting impact on the environment, even after a plant has closed,” Bennett said. “It’s important that we take precautions to protect Illinois residents, water sources and wildlife from toxic spills."

Bennett introduced House Bill 3783 to establish training standards for workers constructing, installing, modifying or closing Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) surface impediments, otherwise known as coal ash pits.

Under Bennett’s plan, anyone working on a coal ash pit would be required to participate in training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The training would cover erosion control and environmental remediation, as well as the operation of heavy equipment and excavation.