SPRINGFIELD –To prevent poor dental health among children and teens that can cause lifelong health consequences, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is sponsoring a bill to allow preventative dental services within schools.

“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 measure, 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.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address the substitute teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) has introduced a bill that would increase the number of hours a retired teacher may work without impairing their retirement status.

“The pandemic has put a strain on the already-shrinking pool of teachers,” Joyce said. “As more school districts transition from remote learning to in-person instruction, some will be faced with challenges in hiring substitute teachers.”

SPRINGFIELD – To close loopholes that currently allow the Illinois Tollway Authority to share Illinois drivers’ personal information and travel records with law enforcement, federal prosecutors and private attorneys, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) sponsored legislation to limit the instances in which this data can be shared.

“Your travel history is your business. When that information is shared without valid cause, it’s a clear violation of drivers’ privacy,” said Murphy. “We need to put stronger protections in place to keep people’s personal information safe.”

SPRINGFIELD – A new measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would help expand crisis response options across Illinois.

“Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis need appropriate treatment, and a quick and efficient response to a crisis is the most effective way to ensure they get it,” Peters said.

Illinois already has a program for crisis response, but it is underutilized because not enough people know that it’s even an option, and instead resort to calling the police.

SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure residents are notified of unclaimed property quickly and efficiently, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) advanced an initiative to allow state agencies to work together to locate rightful property owners.

“The Illinois Treasurer’s Office proactively searches for owners of unclaimed property throughout the state, but one office shouldn’t have to do it alone,” Crowe said. “Other state agencies should be utilizing their resources to help identify owners so property can be returned quickly.”

The initiative would allow the Illinois Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections to partner with the Treasurer’s Office to compare information in an effort to locate owners of unclaimed property valued at $2,000 or less.

Through its iCash program, the Treasurer’s Office is holding more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans. Unclaimed property includes accounts and other financial means being held at corporations, financial institutions, financial intermediaries, courts or life insurance companies that have gone dormant for a period of time.

Crowe has previously partnered with the Treasurer’s Office to connect residents with cost-saving resources throughout the state, including the iCash program.

“During a pandemic that has caused nationwide financial devastation, receiving unclaimed property could make a notable difference for a struggling family,” Crowe said. “This initiative is intended to streamline the process for residents to receive the dollars they are entitled to.”

Senate Bill 338 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and moves for further consideration before the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD- Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) advanced legislation today to require that no child in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) store his or her belongings in plastics bags or inappropriate baggage while moving around within the system.

“Some of these children are forced to leave behind toys and other keepsakes because they simply do not have enough storage space for their belongings,” said Sims. “And what do you think that says to a child, when they can’t get a stuffed animal or family photo into a trash bag? This measure simply removes one of the challenges these children face within the DCFS system that seems small but is really about not being cruel.”

SPRINGFIELD – As classes resume in-person, State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Senate Education Committee to ban the abuse of restraints and seclusion rooms in schools.

“With students returning to physical classrooms, our children should not fear that their basic dignity will be stripped away,” Gillespie said. “I remain committed to ending the inhumane practice of prone restraint and the abuse of seclusion rooms.”

SPRINGFIELD – Schools would be required to maintain consistent truancy policies and communicate them to parents annually under a plan from State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), which passed a Senate committee Tuesday and is set to be debated before the full Senate.

“Studies conducted in recent years have shown again and again that absences are a major barrier to educating so many of our students, and that the reasons they occur are complex,” Collins said. “The first step in addressing this has to be establishing truancy policies that are clearly communicated to families. We must be compassionate and consistent in how we approach absences.”