ISDC

Details: Thursday, May 15, 2025 12:55 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Food deserts are areas with low access to affordable and nutritious food, disproportionately affecting low income communities. State Senators Chris Belt and Paul Faraci obtained relief for two food deserts in their communities with the Illinois Grocery Initiative Grant.

“I’m thrilled to see the continued success and impact of the Illinois Grocery Initiative,” said Belt (D – East St. Louis). “This funding is essential to ensuring every family in Illinois has reliable access to healthy food while also helping the state work towards the goal of eliminating food deserts.”

Preston bill to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with a pathway to society

Details: Thursday, May 15, 2025 10:56 AM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Willie Preston is leading legislation to provide formerly incarcerated individuals resources to acclimate the person to life outside of a correctional facility.

“By providing resources to formerly incarcerated individuals, we are giving them a chance to succeed, empower and uplift their communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “We must treat all Illinoisans with respect and give them a chance to succeed regardless of their background.”

Loughran Cappel works to crack down on cyberbullying via AI technology

Details: Thursday, May 15, 2025 10:41 AM

Senator Cappel speaks on the Senate floor. SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing trend of bullying that uses artificial intelligence to create and distribute sexually explicit materials, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill through committee that further expands the definition of cyberbullying and addresses the use of bullying by artificial intelligence in the school code.

“With artificial intelligence on the rise, we are seeing a lot more cyberbullying scenarios that deal with altered, harmful images,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential for our students and families to know that although there may be good uses for AI, it can also be a harmful tool and there will be consequences for students if it’s used inappropriately.”

Cunningham moves to upgrade Chicago’s firetrucks and ambulances

Details: Thursday, May 15, 2025 08:43 AM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced a measure that would specifically set aside funding for the city of Chicago to purchase and repair emergency service vehicles like firetrucks and ambulances.

“When there is an emergency, people want to know that a working fire truck and ambulance are going to arrive at the scene,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This measure will ensure that funds collected from ambulance rides will be used to upgrade emergency service vehicles and not be raided for other purposes.”

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Holmes advances measure to protect gray foxes in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Linda Holmes’ measure to keep a closer watch on Illinois’ gray foxes moved a step nearer to becoming law on Thursday. The gray fox population in Illinois and much of the Midwest has been declining over the last 30 years, pr...

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Ellman measure would help middle school students earn high school credit

SPRINGFIELD – Ensuring middle school students receive equal opportunity to earn high school credits, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with the option to earn high school credit for high...

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Senate approves Morrison bill to crack down on deadly street drug

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to curb the growing threat of synthetic drugs, State Senator Julie Morrison passed legislation in the Senate to regulate the use of xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer often mixed with fentanyl and tied to overdose de...

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Stadelman measure requires more transparency in health care fees

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to ensure transparency from health care providers and protect patients from unexpected fees on bills, State Senator Steve Stadelman passed a measure through committee that would require hospitals to be more explicit about t...

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Morrison prioritizes student safety with school bus seat belt legislation

SPRINGFIELD — In response to traffic accidents that have endangered the lives of students, staff and drivers, State Senator Julie Morrison is leading legislation to require seat belts in newly purchased school buses. “We teach children at a young age...

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