SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio is leading a bill to help lower the risks of suicide among first responders who face disproportionate mental health struggles due to challenges they encounter on the job.

“Our first responders are heroes who face unique risks and traumatic experiences while they fight to protect their community,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “Maintaining a task force with members who are knowledgeable about experiences our first responders go through will help us understand how we can curb suicide risks among first responders.”

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Graciela Guzmán  led a measure through the Senate Education Committee to expand dual language programs in grade schools.

“When young people receive dual language instruction from an early age, they have a much easier time maintaining their literacy of multiple languages throughout their lives, leading them to more economic opportunities or deeper connections to their culture,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “It is important for us to encourage schools to invest in dual language programs, and join many other countries internationally that acknowledge the importance of early learners becoming bilingual.”

Recognizing the importance of dual language education for young people, the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education, formed in 2023, began to research how to incentivize, improve and expand dual language instruction in schools. After extensive stakeholder engagement, expert consultation, and data collection, the council released a report to the General Assembly in October of 2024 with their recommendations. Their proposals were divided into three buckets – those with high costs to implement, low costs, and those with no prospective cost.

SPRINGFIELD— State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would strengthen prevailing wage rules to help workers receive higher pay.

“This important safeguard will help workers get a fair deal for their labor,” said Belt (D-Swansea).  “We’re closing a loophole that left many workers getting the short end of the stick because that’s not what we’re about here in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – To help address health care deserts and ensure mothers get the care they need, State Senator Lakesia Collins is moving legislation to give certified nurse midwives more independence and greater flexibility in care they provide.

“This legislation will give certified nurse midwives more opportunities to collaborate, lead and deliver care families can trust,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “By modernizing outdated rules, we are making health care more accessible across Illinois.”

Currently, certified nurse midwives often have to collaborate formally with a physician to practice at full scope, but this can pose a challenge as more than one-third of Illinois counties lack maternity care. Under Collins’ legislation, House Bill 2688, CNMs would be allowed to provide out-of-hospital birth services at licensed birth centers without the need for a formal collaboration agreement, as long as they have permission from the birth center’s clinical director.

SPRINGFIELD – To further mitigate the harmful environmental impact and potential health risks from disposable food packaging, State Senator Laura Fine is leading a measure to prohibit the sale or distribution of food containers containing polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam.

“When you take food to go, you may dispose of the containers in several minutes. However, if the disposable container is made of polystyrene, it can remain in our environment for many years. Styrene food packaging contains harmful chemicals that can leach into food, especially if the food is hot or acidic," said Fine (D-Glenview). "Polystyrene food containers do not break down naturally in the environment, and pieces of these containers are often found in our waterways and aquatic life.”

In 2023, Fine passed the Degradable Plastic Act to ban state agencies and universities from purchasing or using polystyrene by Jan. 1, 2025. Building on these efforts, Senate Bill 1531 would prohibit the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam food containers across Illinois starting Jan. 1, 2030.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about the fees included in their services.

“Patients deserve to know ahead of time if any extra fees will be added onto their bill,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “Hospitals need to take responsibility and inform their patients of all applicable fees at any of their facilities.”

House Bill 1431 would require hospitals to develop a policy to inform patients they may be charged a facility fee, if applicable, for outpatient services separate from a professional fee. Facility fees are charges imposed by health care facilities for the use of their space, equipment and administrative services, whereas professional fees cover the cost of the professional providing the care. The lack of transparency between the two has made patients feel like they are being double charged for their visit.

SPRINGFIELD – Domestic violence is a serious public health issue across the United States. In Illinois, 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner, leading State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to collaborate with State Representative Daniel Didech on House Bill 1278.

“Victims of domestic violence should not have to worry about workplace retaliation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “Survivors should not be penalized for protecting themselves. This bill can - and will - save lives, and I am proud to carry this legislation through the Senate.”

House Bill 1278 provides that employees can use work devices to document or communicate about violence affecting them or their family, and must be given access to related files if needed for legal action. Employers must post a notice about this right.

SPRINGFIELD — Future educators  may soon see new opportunities for fair compensation thanks to State Senator Adriane Johnson. House Bill 3528, which recently passed the House, would change the Illinois School Code to ensure that institutions of higher education cannot require student teachers to work without pay.

“Student teachers are doing real work in real classrooms, and they deserve the chance to be compensated,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “This measure doesn’t require payment, but it removes outdated policies that flat-out prohibit it. That opens the door for school districts, nonprofits, or other partners to offer stipends or wages if they choose.”

While the measure will not mandate that universities or school districts pay student teachers, it explicitly prohibits any policy that bars such payment. By doing so, it creates legal space for compensation models to emerge and evolve—particularly in high-need areas.