Joyce advances multiple measures to help landowners with deer control

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce advanced three measures that would give landowners and farmers more flexibility when it comes to hunting deer on their own property.

“Illinois farmers, who are experiencing substantial crop damage and lower yields, need a better way to manage deer populations on their farms,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Let’s give these farmers the tools they need to handle nuisance deer during the growing season.”

Senate Bill 710 would address multiple issues with the nuisance deer program and deer hunting tags. Currently for nuisance deer, a property owner has to prove each year that there has been damage to property, like destruction of crops, by the deer. Farmers have been requesting a better way to handle this because under the current program, they cannot manage the deer population until after a problem has occurred. The bill would allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to issue deer removal permits based on the percentage of permits redeemed in the previous season by the recipient. The bill would also allow for an expansion of youth hunting tags from one to two.

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Johnson champions bill to affirm support for all students regardless of immigration status

SPRINGFIELD — To ensure all students receive equitable access to school counseling and support services, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed a measure to clarify that school counselors are permitted to serve all students, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status.

“Every student deserves access to trusted adults and supportive services in their school,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation ensures that school counselors can serve all students without ambiguity or hesitation.”

Senate Bill 405 would require school counselors to work to address the academic, social, emotional, and postsecondary needs of all students, regardless of their citizenship status. The measure would reinforce existing practice and professional standards while providing clear statutory guidance that promotes inclusivity and equity across Illinois schools.

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Walker honors veterans on 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War

SPRINGFIELD — On the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and fall of Saigon that took place April 30, 1975, State Senator Mark Walker spoke on his experience serving in the Vietnam War during a press conference on Wednesday.

“After I served in the Vietnam War, my mother asked me why I did it,” said Walker (D-Arlington Heights). “I told her I fought for the Bill of Rights, for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of assembly. Those freedoms are what I fought for and what my friends fought for. We fought alongside the South Vietnamese who fought for the same freedoms we did, for their country.”

State Representatives Hoan Huynh, Stephanie Kifowit, Dan Swanson and Wayne Rosenthal joined Senator Walker at the press conference in the Illinois Capitol Building to express their appreciation to the over 2.7 million American service members and 800,000 South Vietnamese who sacrificed for their country.

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Glowiak Hilton bill enhances standards for sexual assault evidence collection

SPRINGFIELD — At-home sexual assault evidence collection kits, often sold and marketed directly to consumers, are raising concerns about their reliability and the risks they pose to survivors seeking justice. State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is working to strengthen standards by ensuring evidence is collected by trained medical professionals.

“At-home collection kits may sound ideal for privacy reasons, but they don’t provide the same level of support or legal integrity as exams conducted by a medical professional,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “No one should be sold false hope during one of the most traumatic experiences in their life.”

Read more: Glowiak Hilton bill enhances standards for sexual assault evidence collection