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Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of days a birth parent has to reconsider
Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of days a birth parent has to reconsider
Senator Fine leads effort to protect student loan cosigners
Senator Fine leads effort to protect student loan cosigners
Senate approves legislation led by Glowiak Hilton to combat “spoof” calls
Senate approves legislation led by Glowiak Hilton to combat “spoof” calls
Senate Democrats celebrate $175 million investment in Back to Business grants for hospitality and arts industries
Senate Democrats celebrate $175 million investment in Back to Business grants for hospitality and arts industries
Senate Democrat-led measure guaranteeing paid leave for Illinois workers signed into law
Senate Democrat-led measure guaranteeing paid leave for Illinois workers signed into law

Senator Fine advocates for universities to provide more accessibility resources to students with disabilities

Details
Friday, March 10, 2023 03:37 PM

Sen. Fine

SPRINGFIELD – To make the transition to higher education smoother for students with disabilities, State Senator Laura Fine is sponsoring The Removing Barriers to Higher Education Act. This legislation will make it more convenient for students to provide documentation to the school to demonstrate that they have a disability.

“Under current law, students may have to undergo costly assessments to prove they qualify for disability services in college,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This initiative will allow students to save time and money by allowing them to submit documentation of accommodations that they received during their K-12 years.”

Senate Bill 99 would establish a process for students with disabilities to receive reasonable accommodations from public universities and colleges.  This measure defines the types of documents that state universities must accept as proof of a disability, including previous diagnostic testing or other recent documents. From this information, colleges and universities could provide reasonable accommodations that they deem to be appropriate for the student requesting the services. This will ensure that students will receive the support they need to thrive in higher education.

Read more: Senator Fine advocates for universities to provide more accessibility resources to students with...

Pacione-Zayas encourages expansion of community schools

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Friday, March 10, 2023 11:31 AM

Sen. Pacione-Zayas

SPRINGFIELD – In collaboration with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, State Senator Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas introduced new legislation to clarify and expand offerings and funding for community schools in Illinois, ensuring that innovative community education models can reach more geographies.

“As a former community schools director, I can testify to the numerous benefits community schools yield for students, their families, and communities at large. Thriving communities have strong neighborhood schools that extend their walls into the neighborhood,” said Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago). “Community schools complement formal schooling by providing out of school time programming including arts enrichment, homework help, leadership development, sports, and adult education. The positive impact can be transformational for young people and an entire community. This initiative will support greater access to students and families across Illinois.”

Community schools are schools that cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources to promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students through wraparound services. Senate Bill 2391 adds language about a designated program coordinator and articulates types of wrap-around services that could be offered in a community school.

Read more: Pacione-Zayas encourages expansion of community schools

Senator Holmes advocates for safer practices in pet shops and animal testing facilities

Details
Friday, March 10, 2023 11:25 AM

Sen. Linda Holmes

SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for better, safer, and less abusive practices with animals, State Senator Linda Holmes passed two new pieces of legislation that will ensure those who work with animals are using best practices.

“Our animal companions are not to be subject to greed and inhumane care,” said Holmes (D-Aurora) “These actions are a positive step toward ensuring those providing and connecting us with pets are doing so in the most humane way.”

Senate Bill 1230 changes the definitions of “dog dealer” and “animal shelter” to not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public and defines that as selling animals at brick-and-mortar establishments that were obtained from breeders or brokers for compensation and not bred on its premises. This closes the loophole pet shop operators use to avoid obtaining dogs from animal shelters and instead from breeders.

Read more: Senator Holmes advocates for safer practices in pet shops and animal testing facilities

Simmons pushes for legislation to support returning citizens

Details
Friday, March 10, 2023 11:19 AM

Sen. Mike Simmons

SPRINGFIELD – To support returning citizens with outstanding fees, State Senator Mike Simmons presented legislation to the Senate Special Committee on Criminal Law and Public Safety on Thursday.

“I am dedicated to serving all 7th District constituents, which includes returning citizens,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Senate Bill 2175 provides a returning citizen with the opportunity and time to establish stability in their life and take care of basic human needs, such as finding gainful employment, housing and healthcare before owing fees from prior criminal proceedings.”

Senate Bill 2175 prohibits courts from ordering the payment of outstanding fees, fines, taxes or any costs arising from criminal proceedings for the first year after a person returns from incarceration. Currently, Illinois does not have a law striking fees for a certain amount of days post-confinement. However, under the Unified Code of Corrections, the court may revoke a fine if good cause is shown.

Read more: Simmons pushes for legislation to support returning citizens

  1. Ventura advances bill to bring economic, environmental benefits to area
  2. Glowiak Hilton leads measure to address schools prohibiting clothing of cultural significance
  3. Sims protects consumers from credit card issues stemming from business closure
  4. Joyce-backed measure advances to promote environmental conservation

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Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of days a birth parent has to reconsider
Feigenholtz assures insurance coverage for abandoned newborn infants and lengthens the number of days a birth parent has to reconsider
SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz assures that Medicaid covers any newborn relinquished under the Act. It also extends the time of notice that the police...

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Villa passes bill to support grieving families
Villa passes bill to support grieving families
SPRINGFIELD – When Laura Kane lost her son, Zachary, to suicide, she was still expected to return to work merely three days later. To help support families grieving the loss...

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Senator Fine leads effort to protect student loan cosigners
Senator Fine leads effort to protect student loan cosigners
  SPRINGFIELD –Cosigners to private student loans may find themselves in a difficult financial position if they are unaware the student they signed for is behind on his or her payments....

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Murphy passes measure to help libraries provide greater access to e-books
Murphy passes measure to help libraries provide greater access to e-books
SPRINGFIELD – To help libraries have an easier time acquiring e-book and audiobook licenses, State Senator Laura Murphy passed legislation through the Senate Thursday. “There is a demand for e-books and...

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Rock Island gets an economic development victory
Rock Island gets an economic development victory
  SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s legislation creating the Rock Island Regional Port District passed the Senate on Thursday. "There’s nothing more rewarding than passing legislation that helps our local...

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Senator Fine legislation to distribute naloxone nasal kits to prevent overdose goes to the House of Representatives
Senator Fine legislation to distribute naloxone nasal kits to prevent overdose goes to the House of Representatives
  SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s proposed pilot program to provide first responders with 8-milligram naloxone kits to prevent overdose from opioids passed the Senate on March 23 —making it...

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