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Parental Alienation Awareness Day recognized in Illinois thanks to Ventura

Details
Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Friday, April 11, 2025 10:14 AM
  • Ventura
  • SR66
  • Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Sen. Ventura

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the devastating impact of parental alienation on families across Illinois, State Senator Rachel Ventura successfully advanced Senate Resolution 66, declaring April 25, 2025 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day in the state. The resolution aims to increase understanding, promote prevention and encourage intervention efforts to support healthy family relationships.

“The emotional and psychological toll of parental alienation can have lasting effects on children,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Fostering unfounded fears about a parent or guardian can create serious barriers to a child's emotional and psychological well-being. By raising awareness, we can foster healthier relationships and ensure that all children have the opportunity to maintain meaningful connections with both parents.”

Read more: Parental Alienation Awareness Day recognized in Illinois thanks to Ventura

Koehler's legislation supporting student leaders passes Senate, heads to House

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Friday, April 11, 2025 09:38 AM
  • Koehler
  • Higher Education
  • Scholarships
  • SB1475

Sen. Koehler

SPRINGFIELD— Legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler to support student leaders serving on state higher education boards passed the Senate.

"Our student board members represent thousands of their peers and help shape decisions that directly affect colleges and universities across Illinois," said Koehler. "Offering this scholarship recognizes their dedication and encourages more students to participate in leadership roles."

Senate Bill 1475 would provide a $500 scholarship each semester to student members serving on the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board. Currently, these student members volunteer their time without compensation, only receiving reimbursement for travel-related expenses.

Read more: Koehler's legislation supporting student leaders passes Senate, heads to House

Sangamon County could put recall process in place under Turner measure that heads to House

Details
Category: Senator Doris Turner News
Friday, April 11, 2025 08:44 AM
  • Turner
  • Sangamon County
  • Sonya Massey
  • SB1954
  • Recall Election

Sen. Turner

SPRINGFIELD – Following the murder of Sonya Massey at the hands of a Sangamon County deputy sheriff, State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through the Senate that would allow Sangamon County to put a recall process in place for countywide elected officials.

“Alongside Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, we created the Massey Commission to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses and community relations,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “The commission, comprised of community members, supported this initiative. Not only as an elected official, but also having a generational relationship with the Massey family, I have been working tirelessly since the horrific incident to make sure our community’s voices are heard.”

Read more: Sangamon County could put recall process in place under Turner measure that heads to House

Villa measure securing safe drinking water advances

Details
Category: Senator Karina Villa News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:06 PM
  • IDPH
  • Villa
  • SB 2266
  • Safe Drinking Water Act

Senator Karina Villa

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative championed by State Senator Karina Villa that fortifies safe drinking water standards passed the Senate on Wednesday.

“Every water source we rely on should meet safe drinking water standards to secure the health of our communities,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Safe water is invaluable. Our water sources must be reliable.”

Senate Bill 2266 would allow the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose civil penalties against non-community water supplies that violate drinking water standards and clarifies that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is the primary agency responsible for implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act, consistent with federal law.

Read more: Villa measure securing safe drinking water advances

Senate passes Ventura measure removing cannabis odor as probable cause to search a vehicle

Details
Category: Senator Rachel Ventura News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:03 PM
  • Law Enforcement
  • Cannabis
  • Ventura
  • SB 42

Senator Rachel Ventura

SPRINGFIELD – A measure from State Senator Rachel Ventura stipulating the odor of raw or burnt cannabis could not alone constitute a search of a motor vehicle, driver or passenger passed through the Senate, aiming to clarify law enforcement’s handling of driving situations involving cannabis.

“A recent state Supreme Court ruling gave a conflicting directive between raw and burnt cannabis, shifting a huge burden to law enforcement to know the difference,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This bill aims to bring clarity by directing law enforcement to consider all factors — not just odor — in deciding if the law has been broken.”

The Illinois Supreme Court recently ruled on two separate cases contradictory to each other on whether the scent of cannabis is a probable cause. The Court held in People v. Redmond that the odor of burnt cannabis alone is insufficient to provide probable cause for police officers to perform a warrantless search of a vehicle. In People v. Molina, the Court ruled that the odor of raw cannabis alone gave police probable cause to search a vehicle because the statute mandates odorless packaging.

Read more: Senate passes Ventura measure removing cannabis odor as probable cause to search a vehicle

Koehler backs bill to strengthen press protections for campus-based public media

Details
Category: Senator Dave Koehler News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 08:02 PM
  • Koehler
  • Local Journalism
  • Public Media
  • SB 1988

Senator Dave Koehler

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler is sponsoring legislation to extend press freedom protections to public media outlets like NPR and PBS affiliates that operate on Illinois college campuses.

“Public media plays an essential role in informing our communities,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Ensuring their independence, accountability and trust is upheld is vital to democracy.”

Senate Bill 1988 would prevent campus-based public media from being subject to prior review by university officials. It would also allow employees or contributors to seek legal relief if their rights are violated, while also expanding liability protections.

Read more: Koehler backs bill to strengthen press protections for campus-based public media

Morrison advocates for improved support for sexual assault survivors

Details
Category: Senator Julie A. Morrison News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 07:59 PM
  • Morrison
  • Hospitals
  • Sexual Assault Survivors
  • SB 1602

lab assault kit

SPRINGFIELD — To support sexual assault survivors, State Senator Julie Morrison advanced legislation that would remove barriers and improve protections for individuals seeking medical care.

“Survivors deserve compassionate care that meets their needs and empowers their choices,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Healing from trauma takes time and courage, and our systems should support this journey.”

Senate Bill 1602 works to create a more supportive and responsive system for those receiving care after a sexual assault. Morrison worked with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office who spearheaded this initiative, which includes a number of changes in how hospitals handle sexual assault cases based on recommendations from the state’s Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act Implementation Task Force.

Read more: Morrison advocates for improved support for sexual assault survivors

Senate greenlights Edly-Allen bill to create certified therapy dog crisis response program

Details
Category: Senator Mary Edly-Allen News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 07:55 PM
  • PTSD
  • Edly-Allen
  • SB 1491
  • Therapy Dogs

Senator Edly-Allen

SPRINGFIELD — The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. In an effort to increase the number of therapy dogs available during times of crisis, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen spearheaded Senate Bill 1491 through the Senate.

“Therapy dogs have the ability to help reduce stress-induced trauma, bringing instant comfort and relief,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This bill helps officer wellness and provides the communities officers are serving with certified therapy K-9s to help those in a time of need.”

Read more: Senate greenlights Edly-Allen bill to create certified therapy dog crisis response program

More Articles …

  1. Guzmán measure increasing transparency on how contraband enters prisons passes Senate
  2. Murphy’s measure aims to increase safety around schools
  3. Peters: Our juvenile justice system should focus on rehabilitation over punishment
  4. Cervantes E-Verify legislation passes the Senate
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