Senate Democrats celebrate Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day in Springfield
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SPRINGFIELD – Advocating for technical innovation around the Capitol today, Senate Democrats met with students from all over the state to learn about their part in the Students for Innovation Advocacy Day alongside the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance.
“We need to help foster this kind of education around the state as children are increasingly learning about computers and coding at an early age,” said State Senator Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago). “The bright and talented youth in Illinois need our support to make tools available for them to use and learn from.”
Students and teachers from around the state traveled to Springfield for the Students for Innovation Advocacy Day to show Illinois lawmakers the innovative topics and projects being worked on in their classrooms every day. The Illinois Digital Educators Alliance hopes to give these students and educators a platform to exemplify the importance of the innovative learning they do.
Read more: Senate Democrats celebrate Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day in Springfield
Senate approves legislation by Glowiak Hilton to require Native American history in schools
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is spearheading a measure to make Native American history a requirement for all public elementary and high school students.
“Native American history is American history, and it has been overlooked for far too long,” said Glowiak Hilton (D – Western Springs). “Our history classes should be more representative of our nation’s origins.”
House Bill 1633 would require public schools to make Native American history part of curriculum. Teachings would include the study of the genocide of and discrimination against Native Americans, as well as tribal sovereignty, treaties made between tribal nations and the United States, and the circumstances around forced Native American relocation.
Villivalam advances for employee leave for organ donors
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SPRINGFIELD – To help ensure that saving a life does not come at the cost of employment, State Senator Ram Villivalam passed legislation to give employees up to ten days of paid leave for serving as an organ donor.
"We have outstanding residents in Illinois who are ready to give and donate to those in need," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “When someone goes to donate an organ for a person in need, it is crucial they are able to take time off to recover."
House Bill 3516 changes the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act to allow employees to take up to ten days of earned leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor. The earned leave would apply to employees of any unit of local government, board of election commissioners, or private employer in Illinois with 51 or more employees.
Read more: Villivalam advances for employee leave for organ donors
EpiPen costs will drop to $60 thanks to Senator Mike Halpin
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin passed legislation through the Senate that limits the cost of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPens, to a maximum of $60 per twin-pack.
"No household should have to decide between buying life-saving medication and providing food for their family," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "This legislation marks a significant stride towards enhancing the affordability and accessibility of EpiPens for all Illinoisans who require them."
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors are the only medication that works on the entire body to combat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, since 2017, a global shortage of these devices has made this medication increasingly difficult to obtain. Parts of the United States have experienced shortages since 2018, with the FDA permitting an extension of the recommended shelf life of EpiPens to combat the shortage.
Read more: EpiPen costs will drop to $60 thanks to Senator Mike Halpin
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