More rape crisis services to be certified under new Simmons law
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CHICAGO – Many additional organizations that provide rape crisis services will be able to receive state recognition after legislation sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) was signed Friday. Simmons says the new law will facilitate quick access to critical resources for survivors.
“The current definition of rape crisis center is too narrow and excludes a lot of great organizations,” Simmons said. “Organizations that share locations with other services or that provide rape crisis in tandem with other services can’t get the necessary certification, which severely limits their ability to provide help to the people who need it.”
Read more: More rape crisis services to be certified under new Simmons law
DCFS to have clearer role in checking in on children with out-of-state guardians under new law by Pacione-Zayas
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CHICAGO – To help clarify the Department of Children and Family Services’ role in assessing the living situations of children placed with parents out of state, State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) spearheaded a law signed Friday that lays out clear guidelines for when DCFS can assess these living arrangements.
“We have a clear duty to children who are or have been in state care, and it can’t be hindered by confusion over geographical lines,” Pacione-Zayas said. “This legislation will help fill in the gaps in current policy and make it easier for DCFS to do its job to protect our state’s children.”
Villivalam makes state services more accessible through CityKey ID
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CHICAGO – To better serve undocumented and immigrant communities, legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) that would allow municipal ID cards to be used to access state services and facilities was signed into law today.
“All residents of Illinois, regardless of immigration status, should be able to receive essential state services,” Villivalam said. “Today Illinois renews its commitment to undocumented and immigrant communities that we are the most welcoming state in the nation.”
Read more: Villivalam makes state services more accessible through CityKey ID
Villanueva law adds citizenship classes to high school curriculum
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CHICAGO – So that students better understand the naturalization process, a measure introduced by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that would allow schools to offer courses on naturalization and citizenship was signed into law today.
“More than two-thirds of students who take the U.S. Citizenship test in their history courses end up failing,” Villanueva said. “Schools may now offer instruction on citizenship so that students from all backgrounds know the effort it takes to go through the naturalization process.”
Read more: Villanueva law adds citizenship classes to high school curriculum
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SPRINGFIELD – To offer clarity for patients and pharmacies, State Senator Laura Ellman is sponsoring a measure to ease restrictions on medication containing ephedrine – a drug commonly used to treat allergies and low blood pressure – if it is prescri...
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