Loughran Cappel seeks increased consideration for children when sentencing mothers to jail time

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois judges would be encouraged to consider the negative consequences children at home could face when determining imprisonment length for an expectant or current mother under an initiative that passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) is the lead sponsor of the legislation.

Read more: Loughran Cappel seeks increased consideration for children when sentencing mothers to jail time

President Harmon statement on Chauvin verdict

SPRINGFIELD — Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement regarding the Derek Chauvin verdict.

“George Floyd’s murder reignited the fight for justice across this country in the never-ending hope that someday justice might be found.

This verdict will not undo the tragedy and suffering.

But it should serve as a historic marker in our ongoing work to build a just and equal society.”

Peters: Justice for George, but more work can be done

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) released the following statement after a Minnesota jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the 2020 murder of George Floyd:

“Today, a jury decided that Derek Chauvin will be locked up and will face justice for murdering George Floyd, but we are still a long way from delivering George and his family the justice they truly deserve.

“True justice would be creating a society where police don’t murder unarmed Black people.

Read more: Peters: Justice for George, but more work can be done

Collins calls on nursing homes, long-term care facilities to make sure seniors aren’t isolated

State Senator Jacqueline Collins and advocacy group leaders urged passage of her plan to require virtual visitation options at long-term care facilities in a virtual press conference Tuesday.

Collins (D-Chicago) said she’s sponsoring Senate Bill 2137 to fight the severe isolation that those in long-term care facilities have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collins was joined by AARP Illinois at the press conference, which was conducted via Zoom.

"We know that over the past year of this pandemic, nursing home residents have suffered beyond what is imaginable. Many have lost their friends or caregivers, and have had to live in fear for their own health and safety. Nursing homes in communities of color have been especially hard hit," Collins said. "Senate Bill 2137 offers much-needed relief to these residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that nursing homes are better equipped to protect their residents from social isolation in the long term."

Read more: Collins calls on nursing homes, long-term care facilities to make sure seniors aren’t isolated