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Simmons passes legislation to provide culturally competent haircare for youth in care

Details
Category: Senator Mike Simmons News
Friday, May 17, 2024 12:06 PM
  • DCFS
  • Simmons
  • HB 5097
  • haircare

050924CM0677rSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering caregivers to provide culturally competent haircare for youth in care to promote healthy hair and self-confidence in our communities.

“Hair plays a crucial role in young people's lives,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This bill not only boosts their self-esteem but also fosters a sense of belonging and confidence that can positively influence all aspects of their lives.”

House Bill 5097 requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to include a haircare plan during case review outlining the necessary training and resources needed to ensure each child receives culturally competent haircare. Simmons’ measure outlines a plan that addresses culturally competent haircare training including preservation of youth’s cultural, gender and religious identities, and guidance for routines that promote healthy hair.

Read more: Simmons passes legislation to provide culturally competent haircare for youth in care

Senator Edly-Allen advances measure to protect artists from AI

Details
Category: Senator Mary Edly-Allen News
Friday, May 17, 2024 09:48 AM
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Edly-Allen
  • HB 4762
  • Artist protections

4762meaSPRINGFIELD – Recording artists will soon have more protections from AI replicating their voice or work thanks to new legislation introduced by Senator Mary Edly-Allen.

“Musicians often spend years of their lives perfecting their craft. It is unfair that their hard-earned talents can be stolen for other purposes in a matter of seconds without compensation,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “We need strong regulations and protections in place to safeguard artists when people try to steal their work and pass it off as their own using artificial intelligence (AI).”

As an emerging technological platform, there are no current restrictions on AI models replicating a music artist’s voice. Without regulations, some organizations and even music studios have sought to establish a monopoly of control over their artists’ voices and melodies for AI projects.

Read more: Senator Edly-Allen advances measure to protect artists from AI

Stadelman legislation to safeguard utility services for Illinois residents

Details
Category: Senator Steve Stadelman News
Friday, May 17, 2024 09:35 AM
  • Stadelman
  • HB 4118
  • Energy Payment Assistance

StadelmanSPRINGFIELD – To protect residents from losing access to their electric or gas services, State Senator Steve Stadelman led legislation through the Senate to prevent the disconnection of services for customers actively seeking energy payment assistance.

“This is a significant step in ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to the energy they need, especially during difficult times,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “No family should have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.”

The legislation would require utility companies with more than 500,000 customers to enact procedures to prevent the disconnection of services for customers who are actively seeking energy payment assistance. Customers who apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan would be protected from disconnection for 30 days after the utility receives notice of the customer’s application. If assistance is received, the customer is protected for an additional 45 days.

Read more: Stadelman legislation to safeguard utility services for Illinois residents

Villivalam measure to include dependent coverage for parents or stepparents

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Friday, May 17, 2024 09:33 AM
  • Villivalam
  • HB5258

Sen. Villivalam

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure through the Senate to extend dependent accident and health insurance benefits to parents.

“When children are caring for parents or stepparents, it is not always seamless to provide quality and comprehensive coverage for their medical needs,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “By expanding options for health care coverage, we are making sure that people have access to coverage that they deserve.”

Villivalam’s measure would require group or individual policies of accident and health insurance that provide dependent coverage to make such coverage available to parents or stepparents of the insured individual.

Read more: Villivalam measure to include dependent coverage for parents or stepparents

Peters commemorates historic milestone with first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Friday, May 17, 2024 09:32 AM
  • Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield
  • Labor Movement
  • IUPAT
  • SB3649
  • SB3464
  • HB2662

peters 051724SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Peters joined forces with labor unions on Thursday to celebrate a groundbreaking moment in the state’s capital— the first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield event.

"It’s often forgotten that our country has a long history of women in trades, particularly as it relates to the labor movement during World War II," said Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Labor Committee. "Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield honors that history and connects it to the labor movement today. Women have made invaluable contributions to the labor movement, building a workforce where every individual – regardless of gender, race or background – has the opportunity to pursue a career in trades."

Read more: Peters commemorates historic milestone with first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield

Senate passes Glowiak Hilton bill to extend nurse practice time

Details
Category: Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton News
Friday, May 17, 2024 09:17 AM
  • Glowiak Hilton
  • Nursing Shortage
  • HB5047

Sen. Glowiak Hilton

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to recruit more nurses to work at Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application.

“Nurses should not lose out on work due to application waiting periods,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This initiative helps address the state’s nursing shortage, provides our nurses more experience with patients and ensures application delays do not affect their ability to work.”

House Bill 5047 would allow advanced practice registered nurses with pending applications to practice under supervision for six months while waiting for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s review of their application. Under current law, this status is revoked after three months. These nurses would need to have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education in their area of certification and have at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience to be applicable for this opportunity.

Read more: Senate passes Glowiak Hilton bill to extend nurse practice time

Villivalam, Kelly support the 100 Club of Illinois through license plate options

Details
Category: Senator Ram Villivalam News
Thursday, May 16, 2024 06:41 PM
  • Villivalam
  • 100 Club of Illinois
  • HB 5288

VillivalamSPRINGFIELD - Illinois residents could soon have a new license plate option thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam that will showcase the 100 Club of Illinois.

“Continuing to support organizations throughout our state that regularly give back to first responders and their families is vital,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Supporting them through offering license plate decals brings more awareness to the group and increases the availability of resources.”

The 100 Club of Illinois gives financial support to youth and spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty as well as mental health resources for active duty first responders. Through this measure, there will be a designation of registration and renewal fees that will be given back to the organization.

Read more: Villivalam, Kelly support the 100 Club of Illinois through license plate options

Martwick passes home equity assurance reform that uplifts homeowners

Details
Category: Senator Robert Martwick News
Thursday, May 16, 2024 06:38 PM
  • home equity assurance programs
  • Access to Home Repairs
  • HB4921

martwick 051624SPRINGFIELD — Chicago homeowners who pay into home equity assurance programs could soon see their tax dollars put to better use through increased access to home repair, thanks to a measure passed by State Senator Robert Martwick.

“Our communities have faced unprecedented flooding in the past few years, and insurance will not always cover the damage,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “By returning the funds to the people who need it most we improve the health and welfare of our neighborhoods.”

Illinois first allowed the creation of home equity assurance programs — or HEAPs — in 1987 with the goal of preserving the value of a resident’s property. The programs are funded through property taxes collected from homeowners in the HEAP district, who can enroll in the program by paying for an appraisal of their home. In return, they receive the guarantee that if they own the home for five years, they will not lose money when they sell the home if the market value has dropped.

Read more: Martwick passes home equity assurance reform that uplifts homeowners

More Articles …

  1. Stadelman measure to allow teens to access blood typing services passes Senate
  2. Villa initiative promoting native plant species passes Senate
  3. Villanueva champions measure to enhance Scott’s Law
  4. Harmon passes bipartisan measure to prevent traffic obstructions at O’Hare
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