SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would make the retirement process fairer for many Illinois firefighters passed the State Senate Wednesday.

“This legislation levels the playing field for all of Illinois’ firefighters,” Ellman said. “The current law doesn’t address an oversight that could cause hundreds of firefighters to lose out on time they’ve served when they retire.”

Currently, firefighters outside of Chicago who began work after 2011 are not allowed to purchase service credit after changing employers. This measure would ensure that all firefighters, would be able to purchase service credit if they move to a new employer who is covered by a different fire pension fund.

SPRINGFIELD – To help public colleges and universities better understand the needs of student parents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate directing colleges to collect certain information from students that will help shape more accommodating policies going forward.

“Young parents and parents returning to school face unique challenges, specifically with access to child care and financial assistance,” Villanueva said. “Public institutions of higher education have a moral obligation to the children of their students to see that they are cared for.”

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students experiencing homelessness are aware of available resources, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) advanced a bipartisan initiative out of the Senate to require higher education institutions to designate one employee to serve as a housing insecurity liaison.

“Oftentimes students without permanent housing are not aware of the resources available to them on campus and in their communities,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By creating a housing insecurity liaison, we are working to prevent homeless students from falling through the cracks by connecting them with aid.”

A study by the University of Chicago found that 4.2 million youth and young adults experienced homelessness during a 12-month period, and that nearly 29% of all young adults who experienced homelessness were enrolled in college or another educational program at the time.

Glowiak Hilton’s legislation requires each institution to appoint a Housing and Opportunities Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaison. Their responsibilities would include identifying appropriate services, understanding aid eligibility, tracking graduation and retention rates, reporting the number of students using homelessness resources, and developing a plan to provide access to on-campus housing between academic breaks to homeless students enrolled at the institution.

Under the legislation, higher education institutions would also be required to provide information about available services and assistance regarding homelessness in financial aid and admission packets, as well as on the institution's website.

“Stable housing is foundational to academic and social success,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Creating this position is one step toward combatting homelessness for students and ensuring they have access to better opportunities.”

Senate Bill 190 passed the Senate and moves for further consideration in the House.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate approved a proposal sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) that looks to preserve the integrity of restorative justice practices, which are sometimes used in place of traditional court proceedings.

“We rely on restorative justice as an alternative method of addressing crime, but in order to be effective, those practicing it need to be sure it’s a safe space,” Peters said. “If someone is afraid that something they say might come back to be used against them, they’re far less likely to take full advantage of the benefits that a restorative justice practice has to offer.”

Peters’ legislation would prevent anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice from being used against someone in court, unless the protection is waved. The fact that a practice happened or is planned would be similarly privileged. A restorative justice practice is a measure to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing adverse parties and community stakeholders together. They are becoming more common in schools, communities, and even courts.

“In order to win real safety and justice in our communities, we need to find effective alternatives to policing,” Peters said. “Restorative justice practices fill that role, so we need to work to preserve them.”

Senate Bill 64’s next stop is the House of Representatives.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to combat a decades-long decrease in time set aside for physical activity in school, State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure to require schools to provide students with daily time for play.

“Children have a right to play, period,” Peters said. “Physical activity is a crucial part of a child’s development, and since children spend most of their time at school, all schools should offer recess.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is leading a measure to eliminate infertility treatment barriers posed by a lack of disclosure in health insurance plans.

“Infertility is a difficult diagnosis for a family to receive,” Morrison said. “They may assume treatment will be covered, only to find out their insurance plan was written in another state and out-of-pocket costs will be substantial.”

Senate Bill 1905 – which passed through the Senate Labor Committee Wednesday – would create the Family and Fertility Disclosure in Health Insurance Act. Under the measure, if an employer’s health insurance coverage is not written within Illinois, the insurance company must disclose a written list of services that are and are not covered.

Chicago - State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) issued the following statement in response to the news that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd:

“I’m relieved that the jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. The criminal justice system hasn’t always treated the Black community fairly, but in this case, justice was served.”

“This verdict will only go so far in easing the pain of the Floyd family and other Black Americans. We should never have to fear being killed by police officers.”

SPRINGFIELD – Following the guilty verdict issued to Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement:

“George Floyd should be alive today. His murder was a preventable tragedy that occurred as a result of extremely poor judgement, professional misconduct and blatant disregard for human life. The verdict will not bring back Mr. Floyd’s life, however, I hope that it can ease the Floyd family’s pain, anger and frustration.

As a nation, state, and community it is essential we join together to better understand one another. This requires a dedicated commitment to repairing a fractured relationship between communities of color and those sworn to serve and protect them – regardless of race, gender or background. We can and must do better.”