SPRINGFIELD – When a person with a mental health condition calls 911, they don’t always need the hospital – but are typically taken to an emergency room rather than the mental health facility they require. State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading a measure that would change that by allowing EMS workers to take patients where they’ll most benefit.

“Imagine going through a mental health crisis, then being taken to an emergency room, rather than a place that can actually help you,” Bush said. “That’s going to cause anger and frustration – let alone waste time that could be used to begin treatment.”

Currently, EMS providers can only take a patient to an emergency room, where a medical professional can then determine if they would be better suited for a mental health facility. To bypass the extra – often unnecessary and costly – step, Senate Bill 693 allows direct transport to proper assistance. 

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) would keep courts from using information shared during restorative justice practices.

Restorative justice practices are measures to prevent trauma and repair harm by bringing together adverse parties and community stakeholders. Use of restorative justice practices are becoming more common in schools, communities, and courts.

“Restorative justice practices are an important alternative means of addressing and dealing with crime, and any information they share can’t be used against them in court,” Peters said. “Restorative justice can’t work, when people are constantly on guard against incriminating themselves or creating civil liability.”

Senate Bill 64 provides that anything said or done during, in preparation for, or as a follow-up to a restorative justice practice, or the fact that the practice has been planned or has occurred, is privileged, and cannot be referred to, used, or admitted in any civil, criminal, juvenile or administrative proceeding unless the privilege is waived. The privilege does not apply if disclosure is necessary to prevent injury, death, or the commission of a crime, or to comply with another law.

“People should not have to second-guess their decisions to make use of an important tool for restoring justice out of fear of affecting the outcome of an open case,” Peters said.

The Senate Judiciary approved Peters’ measure, and it will now be sent to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure the state is doing its part to keep roadways safe for pedestrians, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) backed legislation to require the Illinois Department of Transportation to look more closely into traffic accidents on state highways that result in the death of a pedestrian.

“Illinoisans deserve to be able to walk to school or work, go for a run, or simply take a stroll around their neighborhood safely,” Murphy said. “If we can identify problem areas on our state highways, we can implement solutions that will save lives.”

SPRINGFIELD – Last month, three Illinois officers were struck by cars within 24 hours after drivers chose to ignore the “Move Over” law. To help combat the rising number of officer injuries and deaths by vehicle, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is leading the charge to enhance Scott’s Law penalties.

“This law is common sense, yet every day dozens of people are breaking it and putting the lives of officers at risk,” Morrison said. “This has to change. Writing a check for a fine doesn’t seem to be enough for some people, so we’re going to do all we can to make sure the purpose of this law is heard loud and clear – and that’s by requiring people to give up their free time to do community service work.”

Scott’s Law – or the “Move Over” law – requires drivers to slow down their cars, change lanes if possible and proceed with caution when they are approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on. During a 19-day span last month, the Illinois State Police issues 1,340 tickets to people not following Scott’s Law.

Under current statute, a person who violates Scott’s Law will be fined between $250 to $10,000 for their first offense, and between $750 and $10,000 for their second. The amount is determined by a judge.

If Senate Bill 1913 passes and is signed into law, a judge may also issue the violator a term of community service work on top of the fine.

“Far too many officers have been recklessly injured or killed, simply by doing their jobs,” Morrison said. “We must ensure no other family has to endure the pain of a call that says their loved one was hit while protecting their community.”

The Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Fire Chiefs and secretary of state, among others, support the measure. It passed the Senate Criminal Committee Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To ease feelings of stress, anxiety and burnout on college campuses in Illinois, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) has sponsored a new initiative to create an online resource hub geared toward campus mental health.

“As the parent of a college freshman, I know higher education presents a number of unique stressors,” Murphy said. “It’s important that those experiencing mental health conditions have easy access to targeted support.”

The legislation would require the Department of Human Services to maintain a resources page on its website with mental health resources specifically tailored to post-secondary education institutions, their staff, students and families.

Currently, DHS provides digital brochures and links on its website of helpful tools for those who may be dealing with a mental health concern. However, the website does not contain provisions directly targeted to post-secondary education and its communities.

“We know college students suffer high levels of stress and anxiety, but many people aren’t aware that faculty and staff experience similar pressures,” Murphy said. “With the pandemic taking an additional toll on everyone’s mental health, now is the time to make sure our campus communities know help is available.”

Senate Bill 1786 passed the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee and now heads to the full Senate.

SPRINGFIELD – Building upon a law he sponsored in the previous General Assembly, State Senator Robert Peters’ (D-Chicago) new measure would extend required civics education to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Just because a person is incarcerated does not mean they lose the rights that past generations have fought and died to guarantee them,” Peters said. “Folks who are set to be released should learn what their rights are and how to use them once they’re out.”

In 2019, Peters sponsored the Re-Entering Civics Education Act, which required the Department of Corrections to offer civics education to incarcerated people who were due to re-enter society upon the completion of their prison sentences within the next year. Senate Bill 2116 extends that provision to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The curriculum of the program would be centered around voting rights, government institutions, current affairs, and simulations of the electoral and voting process and will be administered over the course of three 90-minute sessions.

“Many of the kids who are set to be released from DJJ custody will be old enough to vote for the first time, and they deserve to know exactly what their rights are and how they can vote if they choose to do so,” Peters said.

Having passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee unanimously, the measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – To address an issue allowing pets in rental properties, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has moved a measure through the Judiciary Committee that will allow tenants to maintain at least two common household pets, regardless of breed, size or weight, within the tenant's residence.

 “Eighty-one million American households now share their homes with 173 million dogs and cats,” Holmes said. “Regardless of their income, people love their pets and view them as members of the family. Affordable housing should be accessible for all types of people, and that includes people with pets.”

SPRINGFIELD – As rates of suicide and depression among young people rise, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) advanced a measure that would ensure suicide prevention information is readily available to college students.

“This past year has not been easy on anyone, including our college students, many of whom lost their jobs or were forced to move unexpectedly,” Cullerton said. “Crisis hotlines are vital resources for those who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. The easier these resources are to access, the better.”