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Villa pushes measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, May 23, 2025 08:48 AM
  • Mental Health
  • Villa
  • Defendants
  • HB3572

Senator Karina Villa

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Karina Villa passed a measure through the Senate to address the mental health concerns of defendants who have been determined to be unfit for trial languishing in county jails.

“Our justice system is not equipped to care for every individual deemed unfit for trail in need of mental health treatment, resulting in worse mental health outcomes for these individuals,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This not only inhibits a person’s right to due process and a fair trial, but further increases the chances of an individual remaining in the system.”

Read more: Villa pushes measure ensuring best mental health practices in criminal justice system

Villivalam measure to increase access to the Early Intervention program

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Friday, May 23, 2025 08:39 AM
  • Villivalam
  • IDHS
  • Early Intervention
  • HB3327

Senator Ram Villivalam

SPRINGFIELD ─ To provide families and legal guardians with information about services their child might need, State Senator Ram Villivalam advanced legislation aimed at increasing opportunities to inform parents about the Early Intervention program.

“Early intervention is life-changing for many families, as these programs provide critical services and therapies as children develop,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “But, these services can only benefit those they are able to reach, which means uplifting the program and expanding its outreach to those who need it is imperative.”

Read more: Villivalam measure to increase access to the Early Intervention program

Guzmán, Guzzardi legislation to study need for affordable housing passes Senate, one step away from becoming law

Details
Category: Senator Graciela Guzmán News
Friday, May 23, 2025 08:38 AM
  • Affordable Housing
  • Guzmán
  • HB 3616

hb3616passedSPRINGFIELD — As their community faces exponentially rising costs of living and gentrification, State Senator Graciela Guzmán and State Representative Will Guzzardi have developed legislation to collect data on the lack of more affordable housing options, inspiring agencies and organizations to invest in developing more affordable housing.

“Illinois has developed several programs to prevent homelessness and support the most vulnerable in our communities, but there is a gap in support for people who make slightly more, but still struggle to afford to live in their neighborhoods,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Our initiative will demonstrate how great the need for more affordable housing is, taking the first step for us to address this issue and get working folks in reasonably priced living situations.” 

Read more: Guzmán, Guzzardi legislation to study need for affordable housing passes Senate, one step away...

Guzmán legislation to expand dual language instruction passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Graciela Guzmán News
Friday, May 23, 2025 08:36 AM
  • Schools
  • Dual Language
  • HB3026
  • Guzmán

Senator Graciela Guzmán

SPRINGFIELD — To expand dual language programs in grade schools, State Senator Graciela Guzmán has developed a measure to incentivize more schools across the state to adopt the program, at little to no cost to their respective districts.

“I am lucky enough to have multiple schools in my district with dual language instruction, and when I have toured there, there is always an excited, almost magical energy that the kids and teachers bring to their classes,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “From the art and projects they show off featuring multiple languages, to their rapid-fire conversations jumping between them, it is impressive and awe-inspiring that at such an early age, these young people are learning so much about language and culture. These programs are vital to the curiosity of our children, and for encouraging open-mindedness toward other cultures, and this measure will further incentivize their investment across all corners of the state.”

 

Read more: Guzmán legislation to expand dual language instruction passes Senate

Johnson champions measure to remove financial barriers for student teachers

Details
Category: Senator Adriane Johnson News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 05:28 PM
  • Johnson
  • Fair Compensation
  • Student Teachers
  • HB 3528

Johnson HB3528SPRINGFIELD — Student teachers in Illinois may soon have new opportunities for fair compensation, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Adriane Johnson that passed the Senate.

“Student teachers are not volunteers — they’re future educators doing real, meaningful work in classrooms every single day,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation breaks down outdated barriers that prevented them from being paid and opens the door for school districts, nonprofits, and higher education institutions to offer compensation.”

House Bill 3528 would prohibit public universities from enforcing policies that require student teachers to work without the possibility of pay. While the bill does not mandate payment, it removes language that explicitly prohibits compensation — allowing local innovation and partnership in addressing the teacher shortage.

Read more: Johnson champions measure to remove financial barriers for student teachers

Measure to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions passes the Senate, thanks to Ellman

Details
Category: Senator Laura Ellman News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 05:18 PM
  • Pharmacies
  • Ephedrine Restrictions
  • HB2874

Senator EllmanSPRINGFIELD – Establishing transparent guidelines for prescriptions, State Senator Laura Ellman passed a measure out of the Senate to give patients and pharmacies clarity regarding restrictions on medication containing ephedrine.

“People with common health issues like allergies or low blood pressure may need ephedrine medication and might not have any alternative treatment options,” said Ellman. “Both providers and patients are at risk of violating existing restrictions on ephedrine medications due to a lack of clarity within current law.”

Read more: Measure to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions passes the Senate, thanks to Ellman

Lightford: Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust

Details
Category: Senator Kimberly A. Lightford News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 05:13 PM
  • Nursing Homes
  • resident dumping
  • HB1597
  • Involuntary Discharge

Majority Leader LightfordSPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led the charge to put an end to “resident dumping” – an inhumane practice in which a nursing facility discharges a resident and refuses to readmit them after a hospital stay.

"Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust at life's most vulnerable moment,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Seniors have made these places their sanctuaries, their communities and their final homes. To deny them return is to strip away their belonging, security and dignity when they need it most.”

Read more: Lightford: Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust

Turner: AEDs save lives

Details
Category: Senator Doris Turner News
Thursday, May 22, 2025 05:09 PM
  • Turner
  • HB 1287
  • AEDs

AEDSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner spearheaded a measure through the Senate that would require AEDs in nursing homes.

“AEDs save lives,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Having them at nursing homes will increase the chances of survival during cardiac arrest.”

House Bill 1287 would require nursing homes to have an automatic external defibrillator by Jan. 1, 2030. Additionally, Turner’s measure requires all facility staff certified to use an AED to have completed courses in CPR and AED usage.

Read more: Turner: AEDs save lives

More Articles …

  1. Johnson champions Eddie’s Law to bring dignity to end-of-life care in Illinois
  2. Cervantes-led measure to increase supports for students completing the FAFSA clears Senate
  3. Hastings measure to streamline missing persons investigations passes Senate
  4. Ellman advances measure to grant high school credits to middle school students
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  • 8
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