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Peters advances legislation creating fairer and impartial systems for domestic violence survivors

Details
Category: Senator Robert Peters News
Friday, April 12, 2024 11:45 AM
  • Peters
  • Gender Based Violence
  • SB3285
  • Domestic Abuse
  • SB3652

Sen. Robert Peters

SPRINGFIELD — Aimed at helping more survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, State Senator Robert Peters advanced legislation dealing with re-sentencing rules for survivors and options for safe living situations.

“Survivors must have better protections under the law so they can escape dangerous situations,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “Survivors need to feel they can trust our justice system and be empowered to seek safety from abusive situations.”

After the Illinois Supreme Court made a decision in People v. Wells that re-sentencing does not apply to individuals who pled guilty – even if they’re survivors of domestic violence or sexual violence – Peters introduced Senate Bill 3285. The bill lets survivors who took a plea deal ask for lighter sentences or have their charges reversed. The goal is to make things fairer for survivors in the justice system and to push for fewer survivors being locked up because they felt forced to take plea deals.

Read more: Peters advances legislation creating fairer and impartial systems for domestic violence survivors

Toro enhances safety in bike lanes

Details
Category: Senator Natalie Toro News
Friday, April 12, 2024 11:39 AM
  • Public Safety
  • Cycling
  • Toro
  • SB3202

bike route

SPRINGFIELD —There is a growing need for protections for cyclists in State Senator Natalie Toro’s community – especially after a 16-year-old was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike. In response, she passed a measure through the Senate Friday to enhance bike lane safety.

“Our current biking infrastructure often values their safety and lives less than money by refusing to invest in projects to protect cyclists and pedestrians,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “We need to encourage local governments to rethink these priorities and take steps to keep cyclists safe.”

Cyclists frequently use maps of existing bike lanes when planning safe routes to ride. However, under existing law, “bike lanes” have a variety of definitions—including lanes safely blocked off from motor traffic with barriers, but also lanes only separated by drawn lines that may be utilized by parked cars or people pulling over. Without more transparency about the safety features of designated “bike lanes,” cyclists may choose routes without knowing they may be much closer to motorists without barriers to protect them—lanes that report significantly more accidents and injuries to bikers.

Read more: Toro enhances safety in bike lanes

Morrison measure to increase resources for gambling disorders passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Friday, April 12, 2024 11:32 AM
  • Morrison
  • Human Services
  • Gambling Addiction
  • SB3410

Sen. Morrison

SPRINGFIELD – The prevalence of gambling is on the rise and with it has come an increase in addictive gambling behaviors. State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services for people who experience problem gambling.

“Like many drugs, gambling activates an addictive part of our brain,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “People who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve the same help and treatment as someone with a drug dependency.”

With expanded access to gambling, the Illinois Department of Human Services found that 68% of adults in the state reported gambling in the past year. Approximately 383,000 people across the state are considered to have a gambling problem and 761,000 people are at risk for developing a gambling problem. By recognizing gambling problems as disorders, Senate Bill 3410 will enable DHS to coordinate prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Read more: Morrison measure to increase resources for gambling disorders passes Senate

Stadelman’s anti-hazing legislation advances to House

Details
Category: Senator Steve Stadelman News
Friday, April 12, 2024 11:25 AM
  • Stadelman
  • Hazing
  • SB 2934

041124CM0720 rSPRINGFIELD – State Senator Steve Stadelman’s legislation aimed at combatting hazing has successfully passed the Senate.

“Hazing has no place in our communities, and by closing legal loopholes, we are sending out a clear message: perpetrators will be held accountable,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “No individual should ever feel pressured or coerced into participating in activities that jeopardize their physical or mental health.”

Senate Bill 2934 seeks to strengthen existing laws by explicitly stating that consent or permission from the victim does not absolve perpetrators from prosecution. This reinforces the state’s stance against any form of hazing, regardless of consent.

Read more: Stadelman’s anti-hazing legislation advances to House

Villa measure to protect individuals from overdose passes Senate

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Friday, April 12, 2024 11:14 AM
  • Villa
  • SB 3779
  • overdose

041124CM0195 rSPRINGFIELD – An initiative from social workers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and State Senator Karina Villa to protect individuals from overdose passed the Senate Friday.

“Social workers are at the forefront of the opioid epidemic, providing services in communities affected by overdose across the state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “They can help combat the epidemic directly by being able to administer lifesaving medication.”

Senate Bill 3779 would allow licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers to possess and administer opioid antagonists. Opioid antagonists, such as Naloxone, temporarily block the effects of an overdose and restore breathing. Employers of social workers would be required to provide training and establish a policy to control the acquisition, storage, transportation, and administration of opioid antagonists.

Read more: Villa measure to protect individuals from overdose passes Senate

Gillespie works to protect homebuyers from predatory contracts

Details
Category: Senator Ann Gillespie News
Friday, April 12, 2024 10:39 AM
  • Gillespie
  • Predatory Lending
  • Real Estate
  • SB3420

Sen. Gillespie

SPRINGFIELD — For people purchasing a home, an upfront cash payment from a real estate agency in exchange for signing a contract seems harmless. What these homebuyers may not realize is this signed agreement can lead to added costs and barriers when they try to sell their home in the future. This type of predatory contract is what State Senator Ann Gillespie is working to prevent in Illinois.

“People deserve transparency and control when it comes to making decisions about large purchases,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Buying a house is an investment, and homeowners should not be deceived or steered toward contracts without understanding the full terms.”

Non-Titled Recorded Agreements for Personal Services, known as NTRAPS, are contracts between a service provider — such as a real estate firm — and a homeowner in which the homeowner is offered a small amount of money in exchange for signing an agreement for future services. These long-term agreements are recorded within property records, giving the service provider the right to list the property for future sale. Homeowners who later try to sell their property outside of this agreement or transfer the title can face costly penalties.

Read more: Gillespie works to protect homebuyers from predatory contracts

Hastings champions legislation to expand insurance coverage for medically recommended infertility treatments

Details
Category: Senator Michael E. Hastings News
Friday, April 12, 2024 10:24 AM
  • Hastings
  • SB 2639
  • medically prescribed infertility treatments

041124CM0586 rSPRINGFIELD – Illinois is one step closer to having a law on the books to help guarantee insurance coverage for medically prescribed infertility treatments, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“My daughter was born via in vitro fertilization, so this initiative is near and dear to my heart,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Unfortunately I know firsthand the heartbreak and stress that families and individuals face due to infertility complications. It is problematic that the health care system is set up in a way that insurance companies can trump the treatment plan recommended by your physician.”

Hastings spearheaded Senate Bill 2639 in response to a constituent whose physician had recommended that they seek in vitro fertilization treatment. However, when the constituent tried to access IVF care, they were told by their insurance provider that they had to complete other procedures before it would be covered by their insurance company, even with the recommendation of their licensed physician.

Read more: Hastings champions legislation to expand insurance coverage for medically recommended infertility...

Villanueva champions measure to make college transfer process easier

Details
Category: Senator Celina Villanueva News
Friday, April 12, 2024 10:17 AM
  • Villanueva
  • SB 3081
  • college transfer process

041024CM0223 rSPRINGFIELD —State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure to make the college transfer process easier and more equitable by waving certain admissions fees.

“Equitable access to education is of the upmost importance, and students in their final semester should have the opportunity to transfer without the burden of application fees,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “It is our responsibility to ensure every student’s transition into higher education is seamless and fair.”

Senate Bill 3081 would require public universities to waive admission application fees for a student transferring from an Illinois public community college if the transferring student is enrolled in the last semester of a degree program and is on schedule to graduate with a degree.

Read more: Villanueva champions measure to make college transfer process easier

More Articles …

  1. Harris champions initiative to provide hope to individuals fighting hair loss conditions
  2. Stolen license plate, registration sticker replacements would be free under Sims measure
  3. Stadelman legislation that protects consumers buying event tickets passes Senate
  4. Landowners could receive additional hunting tags under Turner measure
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