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Feigenholtz law alleviates barriers to accessing records for adopted adults

Details
Category: Senator Sara Feigenholtz News
Wednesday, July 05, 2023 02:29 PM
  • Feigenholtz
  • SB2134
  • Adoption Information
  • Adoptees

feigenholtz 070523SPRINGFIELD – Under a new law championed by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz, more adoptees will be able to obtain post-adoption information related to their birth and placement.

“This legislation addresses the barriers adoptees face when seeking information about their histories – especially those whose adoption agency has closed,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “With this fix, more people will be able to learn critical medical and biographical information about their lives.”

Feigenholtz’s legislation adds new language to the Adoption Act to clarify that a confidential intermediary, on behalf of an adoptee or their family, can request access to non-identifying records from closed child welfare agencies that are housed in Central State Storage. Currently, in cases where the adoption agency that oversaw placement has closed or merged with another agency, records are housed in state repository, leading to barriers for adoptees seeking historical and medical information about themselves.

As an adopted adult herself, Senator Feigenholtz has worked to assure that the practice of adoption in Illinois strives to be the gold standard for adoptive parents, biological parents and adoptees. Feigenholtz has been the voice of adopted adults who desire information about their beginnings and health care information. She passed the original birth certificate access law that provided adult adopted persons access to their original birth certificates.

Senate Bill 2134 was signed by the governor on Friday.

New Castro law requires fair wages for solar project workers

Details
Category: Senator Cristina Castro News
Wednesday, July 05, 2023 02:20 PM
  • Castro
  • Solar Power
  • Prevailing Wage
  • HB3351

castro solar 070523SPRINGFIELD – Employees working on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits from the state of Illinois will be paid the prevailing wage under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Cristina Castro.

“During my time in the Senate, I have been an outspoken advocate for fair wages and wage equality in Illinois,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Supporting fair wages for employees working on solar projects ensures workers – not just developers – benefit from clean energy incentives and opportunities.”

Under the new law, developers who apply to the Illinois Solar for All program are required to pay the prevailing wage on solar projects that receive renewable energy credits. The law provides exemptions for residential buildings and small projects on houses of worship.

Read more: New Castro law requires fair wages for solar project workers

Morrison law to enhance security and safety precautions in schools

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Wednesday, July 05, 2023 02:12 PM
  • Morrison
  • School Safety
  • Rapid Entry Protocol
  • HB3559

morrison 070523SPRINGFIELD – Violent threats against schools are becoming all too common, leading State Senator Julie Morrison to champion a newly signed law to require rapid entry protocol for law enforcement and first responders, including the threat of firearms.

“Our first responders must be equipped and trained to handle any emergency situation – especially within schools,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “School shootings are sadly happening at record rates – we must be prepared in case tragedy strikes.”

Morrison’s House Bill 3559 requires schools’ emergency and crisis response plans to include procedures for local law enforcement to rapidly enter the school building in the event of an emergency.

Read more: Morrison law to enhance security and safety precautions in schools

The Majority Report 07/03/23 - Happy Fourth of July

Details
Category: Majority Report
Monday, July 03, 2023 08:00 AM
  • Majority Report
  • 4th of July

Independence Day 2023

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July weekend! From family picnics to big firework shows, I hope you have a fun and safe time celebrating.

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the holiday with friends and family at a local firework show or festival. For a list of fireworks displays across the state, click here.

Remember: Stay safe this weekend. Plan on how you’ll get home from festivities and follow firework safety tips.

Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

 

Copyright 2023 - Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus - All Rights Reserved

Joyce law to recruit more volunteer firefighters

Details
Category: Senator Patrick Joyce News
Friday, June 30, 2023 02:22 PM
  • Public Safety
  • Joyce
  • Volunteer Firefighters
  • SB1611

Sen. Patrick Joyce

SPRINGFIELD – State employees will now be able to take time off for firefighter training thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“There are many communities in the state that rely on volunteer firefighters,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “If we continue to see a shortage in the number of volunteer firefighters, we are leaving these communities extremely vulnerable and without the immediate assistance they need.”

Fire departments across the state have faced a shortage of new recruits and volunteer firefighters in recent years. The new law aims to combat these shortages to give people the opportunity to undergo firefighter training courses by creating the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. This will allow state employees to take a leave from their job to attend firefighter training.

Read more: Joyce law to recruit more volunteer firefighters

Holmes’ measure to extend period for prosecution of COVID-19 fraud signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Linda Holmes News
Friday, June 30, 2023 02:08 PM
  • Holmes
  • Statute of Limitations
  • Fraud
  • COVID-19 Relief Programs
  • HB3304

Sen. Linda Holmes

SPRINGFIELD – As a frightening pandemic swept across our country and the world in 2020, medical researchers and doctors scrambled to find ways to stop the spread and save lives. As during most catastrophic events, ways to commit fraud spread everywhere, creating even more victims and an extra element of suffering. Initial action was established to prosecute scammers and now, a measure from State Senator Linda Holmes has been signed into law to extend the period of limitation on prosecutions from three years to five.

House Bill 3304 says that prosecution may begin within five years following the discovery of the fraudulent act. The current statute of limitations period for fraud relating to COVID-19 relief programs is three years; this change allows the Attorney General’s Office more time to act.

“The variety of scams is staggering, perpetrated in the form of stolen identities to claim unemployment benefits, or posing as government officials demanding personal information or threatening fines, forfeiture or arrest if you don’t pay them,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “The volume and ongoing attempts of COVID-related fraud warrant additional time to bring the fraudsters to justice.”

This bill helps ensure the state can prosecute serious offenders and recapture funds.

Read more: Holmes’ measure to extend period for prosecution of COVID-19 fraud signed into law

Loughran Cappel law honors submarine veterans

Details
Category: Senator Meg Loughran Cappel News
Friday, June 30, 2023 01:54 PM
  • Veterans Affairs
  • HB1581
  • License Plates
  • Loughran Cappel

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

SPRINGFIELD – United States Submarine Veterans can now receive a special license plate, thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel that was signed into law Friday.

“We have to uplift our veterans by honoring the sacrifices they have made,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This is one way we can show our support and thank them for their service.”

The new law allows the Secretary of State to issue United States Submarine Veteran license plates to Illinois residents who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. New York and Connecticut offer similar submarine service license plates.

Read more: Loughran Cappel law honors submarine veterans

Belt measure to address teacher shortage signed into law

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Friday, June 30, 2023 01:54 PM
  • Belt
  • Education
  • Teacher Shortage
  • HB3801

Sen. Christopher Belt

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has faced a teacher shortage in recent years, which encouraged State Senator Christopher Belt to champion a new law to address this ongoing issue.

“As an advocate for quality education and the well-being of our students, I am always looking for ways to confront issues that negatively affect our state’s schools,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We should be attracting educators to our schools, not pushing them away. They deserve more from us.”

The new law will provide retention bonuses of $4,000 per year, for two consecutive years to teachers who are National Board Certified and are employed in hard-to-staff schools. A hard-to-staff school is a public school that no less than 30% of the student enrollment is considered low-income. Becoming a National Board Certified teacher is a career continuum for those who start in pre-service teacher preparation, leading aspiring teachers to pursue and achieve National Board Certification.

Read more: Belt measure to address teacher shortage signed into law

More Articles ...

  1. Koehler law highlights career and educational opportunities for students living with disabilities
  2. New landmark Simmons law requires air-conditioning in state-supported affordable housing while making living conditions for affordable housing residents safer
  3. Senator Scott Bennett’s public service recognized under new Faraci law
  4. Ventura food label standardization measure signed into law

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Senate President Don Harmon © 2023 Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus
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