SPRINGFIELD – A proposal passed by State Senator Terry Link (D-Indian Creek) increasing rail safety in Illinois was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Pritzker.

Link’s new law requires freight trains in Illinois to be operated by a crew of at least two people – a move that comes after recent news that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is abandoning its efforts for minimum train crew staffing levels.

“With federal bureaucrats failing to act to protect public safety, it is clear states must act on their own,” Link said. “This is simply a matter of protecting the general public. Two-person crews can react more efficiently to mechanical failures or equipment malfunctions and can potentially save lives in a serious situation.”

Link’s new law – which passed under Senate Bill 24 – requires freight trains to be operated by a crew of at least two individuals. Illinois joins Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, California and Arizona in enacting some form of train crew requirement.

TINLEY PARK – Insurers will be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for minors under legislation supported by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) that was signed into law on Friday.

“It’s unfortunate that we cannot always pinpoint what will give our children an allergic reaction with the rise of so many different food allergies,” Hastings said. “What we can do is provide children with the necessary care they need when an unforeseen emergency strikes, and I’m proud to have supported legislation that will do that going forward.”

Epinephrine injectors deliver epinephrine to individuals experiencing a severe allergic reaction, curbing the negative effects of the allergen. Epinephrine works by narrowing blood vessels and opening lung airways, reversing the symptoms of a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

DES PLAINES – After the Property Tax Relief Task Force met for the first time this Monday, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) reported that the task force is ready to reform the state’s regressive property tax system.

As part of the Fair Tax legislative package, the bipartisan task force will determine ways legislators can reform the state’s regressive property tax system to reduce taxes on low- and middle- income earners. The task force will produce their final report by Dec. 31, 2019.

“No matter what your political affiliation is, everyone knows that the property taxes in Illinois are a regressive burden on low- and middle-income families,” said Murphy. “I’m thrilled to be part of a bipartisan team that will solve a real problem for working people in our state. Addressing our backward property tax system will keep people in Illinois and more importantly give our working families a path to economic stability.”

SPRINGFIELD – Children of fallen police officers or firefighters are now eligible to receive specialty license plates under a new law sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago).

“I’m proud to give the children of these brave men and women the opportunity to commemorate their loved one,” Muñoz said. “I hope this small gesture helps their families as they search for peace after such a devastating loss.”

Currently, only the surviving spouse and parents of a fallen police officer or firefighter are eligible for the license plates.

Senate Bill 1894 allows children and step-children of police officers or firefighters who have died in the line of duty to be issued deceased police officer or firefighter license plates. The measure was signed into law on Friday.

SPRINGFIELD— A plan sponsored by State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) that aims to help lower the alarming maternal death rate in Illinois was signed into law Friday.

The plan will create a Diversity in Health Care Professions Task Force in an effort to develop strategies that will lead to increasing the number of minority health care professionals in Illinois.

“It is important that the health care field is a diverse one, as diversity improves the quality of the services and care provided,” Sims said. “Our health care providers are providing good, quality services; however, many times the health care needs of women, particularly black women and other women of color, aren’t taken seriously until it’s too late. This new law will help diversify the field of physicians and other health care professionals to ensure these mothers receive sound medical advice and the highest quality of care.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) will reform criminal justice laws by removing the enhanced penalties for possession of cannabis on school grounds that are no longer operational.

Belt’s legislation amends the Cannabis Control Act to provide that the enhanced penalties for cannabis delivery on school grounds do not apply when the violation occurs in or on the grounds of a building that was formerly designated as a school but is no longer operational.

“As a father of two and former school board member, I know more than anyone how important it is to provide a safe, drug-free environment conducive for optimal learning,” Belt said. “However, once a decision has been made to close and shutter a school, then it is no longer a school, and the enhancement penalty should not apply. The perpetrator of any cannabis offense on a former school site should be prosecuted by the existing laws of the land relative to possession of cannabis.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Jacqueline Collins issued the following statement as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law her measure, House Bill 2118, continuing a program to provide government assistance to foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture or other serious crimes”

“Whether flying into O’Hare or driving across I-72, we play host to many people passing through, not just from other states, but from around the world. That means that we bear some responsibility as citizens of the world,” Collins said. “When we travel, we hope that we encounter a good Samaritan should misfortune befall us. We can do no less than the same for other travelers here. I applaud the governor’s action today.”

The law extends the sunset date on a program to provide government assistance to foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture or other serious crimes from June 30 of this year to June 30 of 2022.

SPRINGFIELD – In response to her district’s opioid crisis, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) co-sponsored an initiative to expand Illinois’ medical cannabis program. It was signed into law this week.

“By expanding access to medicinal cannabis, we are giving those with an opioid prescription another option to manage their pain,” Crowe said. “Opioids are highly addictive when abused, and this program will offer qualifying individuals an alternative.”

Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Public Health successfully launched the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program to give patients access to medical cannabis in exchange for their opioid prescription.

The legislation also expands access to the medicinal cannabis program. It gives nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants the authority to certify a patient’s eligibility for medicinal cannabis. Currently, only doctors have this authority.

The initiative also adds 12 qualifying debilitating medical conditions, bringing the total number of conditions to 54.

Senate Bill 2023 is effective Jan. 1, 2020