Joyce declares Oct. 28 as First Responders Day in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) sponsored a resolution to recognize Oct. 28 as First Responders Day in Illinois.

This designated day recognizes and remembers the first responders lost and extends gratitude to all first responders for continuously putting their lives on the line for the citizens of Illinois.

“First responders put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe,” Joyce said. “That’s why we have dedicated this day as a way to celebrate the courage and strength of these remarkable emergency workers in our communities.”

Read more: Joyce declares Oct. 28 as First Responders Day in Illinois

Pacione-Zayas measure to empower local school councils heads to governor’s desk

SPRINGFIELD – To give parents and students in the Chicago Public Schools a stronger voice in how they operate, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) sponsored a measure to further empower Local School Councils (in Chicago while the Board of Education transitions to an elected school board.

“With the passage of the historic Chicago School Reform Act in 1988, Chicago Public Schools leads the nation in facilitating participatory democracy for students, community members and parents through the vehicle of Local School Councils,” Pacione-Zayas said. “By expanding student representation, restoring LSC powers, and transitioning appointed Local School Councils to elected bodies, we are providing greater inclusion and opportunity to increase equity to best serve local school communities.”

Read more: Pacione-Zayas measure to empower local school councils heads to governor’s desk

Hastings works to give airline employees sick time flexibility

SPRINGFIELD – Airline employees may soon have sick time flexibility, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

Hastings (D-Frankfort) joined members of the Senate to pass House Bill 106, which allows airline employees to use already-earned sick time to care for sick family members.

“For far too long, airlines have been forcing hard working employees to choose between their livelihood and the health and well-being of their family members,” Hastings said. “It is about time that airlines join the many nationwide corporations in supporting their employees and adopting humane work policies.”

Read more: Hastings works to give airline employees sick time flexibility

Koehler’s measure to address EMS staffing shortages advances out of the Senate

SPRINGFIELD – Communities in central Illinois and across the state would receive quicker and more reliable emergency medical services under legislation sponsored by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) that advanced out of the Senate on Wednesday.

“By not allowing qualified and certified emergency medical personnel to work in their field, we run the risk of denying lifesaving care to our communities,” Koehler said. ‘This legislation works to ensure that our EMS providers are well-staffed, and that emergency care in Illinois is efficient and reliable.”

House Bill 2431 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to adopt rules that would allow EMS personnel who have both been certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and have applied for licensure to operate on provisional status.

Read more: Koehler’s measure to address EMS staffing shortages advances out of the Senate