Hunter highlights service, advocacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority
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SPRINGFIELD — A longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, State Senator Mattie Hunter declared May 1, 2024 as AKA Day in Illinois in recognition of the sorority’s history of uplifting women, building friendships and giving back to the community.
“Alpha Kappa Alpha is a cornerstone of the African American community, providing a platform for service and sisterhood,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “Throughout the country and beyond, AKA chapters play an important role in empowering Black women, equipping them with the skills and support needed to become leaders of positive change.”
Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest African American sorority in the United States. With over 360,000 members in chapters across the world, AKA’s mission is to cultivate scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, help alleviate problems concerning women, maintain a progressive interest in college life and be of “service to all mankind.”
Read more: Hunter highlights service, advocacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority
Villa measure expanding bilingual health care workforce advances
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would promote a more bilingual health care workforce by expanding opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants.
“Bilingual health care workers are an extremely important asset in our communities considering the diversity of our state,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Effective communication between patients and health care providers is essential for people to understand their treatment and advocate for their care.”
House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish. The measure would also prevent restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.
Read more: Villa measure expanding bilingual health care workforce advances
Johnson advances measure to prohibit corporal punishment in private schools
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SPRINGFIELD – To ensure students across the state are kept safe and treated with respect at school, State Senator Adriane Johnson is leading a measure to address corporal punishment against students in private and non-public schools.
“Corporal punishment should never be used in schools. It is not only harmful physically, but it also teaches children that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems,” said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). “Illinois students deserve equal protection under the law, no matter where they attend school.”
House Bill 4175 would prohibit the use of corporal and physical punishment in all schools in Illinois, except the use of certain restraints in specific circumstances to prevent a student from imminently harming themselves or others. Currently, physical punishment is only explicitly prohibited in public schools. Johnson’s measure would extend the prohibition to all private and non-public schools.
Read more: Johnson advances measure to prohibit corporal punishment in private schools
Villivalam and Villanueva lead clean energy discussions
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SPRINGFIELD - State Senators Ram Villivalam and Celina Villanueva lead discussions about achieving clean and equitable transportation, buildings and an electric grid at a press conference Tuesday.
“Sustainable transportation must be made a priority in Illinois,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago) “It supports livable, walkable communities, enables equitable and affordable access to essential goods and services, underpins a vibrant economy, and improves public health.”
The Senators are working on a package of measures to target reaching clean and equitable transportation, buildings and an electric grid that will in turn benefit Illinoisans by providing greater access to affordable, reliable and clean resources.
Read more: Villivalam and Villanueva lead clean energy discussions
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SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel will streamline local municipal services, allowing the city of Joliet to absorb the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District. “Joliet is well equipped to ensure a smooth transition between th... -
SPRINGFIELD — To reinforce the supportive role of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Robert Peters led a new law to remove the agency’s authority to operate its own law enforcement agency. “Families who are in need of DCFS’ s... -
SPRINGFIELD — With increasing threats to public health emerging from the intersection of human, animal and environmental factors, a new law spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison will create the One Health Commission — a unique collaboration amo... -
SPRINGFIELD – The use of therapy dogs to aid people struggling with PTSD and anxiety has steadily increased nationwide. Over 50,000 therapy dogs are in service today. State Senator Mary Edly-Allen championed a law that will increase the number of the... -
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s effort to protect rural auctioneers was signed into law Friday. “We are working to protect local and rural auctioneers from unregulated online auctions and give bidders peace of mind when they make their tran...
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