Morrison outlines plan to strengthen state’s response to human trafficking

SPRINGFIELD — To improve how the state identifies and supports victims of human trafficking, State Senator Julie Morrison joined the director of Illinois State Police, state agency representatives and a trafficking survivor at a press conference Wednesday to outline her bipartisan proposal to streamline services among agencies.

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that too often goes unrecognized,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This legislation is the result of years of collaboration aimed at strengthening efforts to identify individuals who are being exploited and enhancing support for survivors in their recovery.”

Senate Bill 2323 works to address human trafficking in Illinois through a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach. Based on recommendations from the Joint Human Trafficking Working Group — formed in 2023 with input from over 60 stakeholders and state agencies — the bill would establish a strategic plan to build a network of services for trafficking survivors, including the creation of standards of care for medical and legal service providers.

Read more: Morrison outlines plan to strengthen state’s response to human trafficking

Villa advances measure to end discriminatory disciplining in schools

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would address unequitable school disciplinary practices.

“The practice of ticketing in schools does not address the root causes of students’ behavior and instead creates financial hardships for working families, affecting Black and Latino families the most,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “This creates serious learning disparities between students of color and their white counterparts.”

In 2015, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law ending the ability of schools to issue monetary fines to students for disciplinary infractions at school. However, students in schools across the state continue to be fined due to the practice of students being referred to law enforcement for school-related behavior. 

Read more: Villa advances measure to end discriminatory disciplining in schools

Cervantes expands E-Verify legislation to ensure additional protections for immigrant employees

SPRINGFIELD – Immigrant workers may soon be entitled to more protections from wrongful workplace retaliation due to issues with their paperwork, thanks to a new initiative led by State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes.

“For many immigrant workers, the E-Verify system can be confusing and complicated,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This initiative will give people the option to utilize legal support in communications with their employer so they are not taken advantage of, and establish the rights they are entitled to as legal, hardworking employees.”

Federal immigration law requires employers to verify the legal work status of their employees through the E-Verify system, which compares information from an employee’s I-9 Form to records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm eligibility. If discrepancies are found, immigrant workers have the possibility of receiving a “no match” letter for a variety of reasons, including instances where the individual changed their name due to marriage. Many employers terminate employees upon receiving this notice, even though they could be legally working in the United States.

Read more: Cervantes expands E-Verify legislation to ensure additional protections for immigrant employees

Guzmán measure to expand SNAP eligibility for college students

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Graciela Guzmán is championing a new initiative that would alleviate college student hunger by expanding eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Illinois.

“It is hard to succeed in school when you’re hungry,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “Helping students, especially low-income scholars, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, succeed academically and economically is not only smart, but also the right thing to do for the next generation.”

Read more: Guzmán measure to expand SNAP eligibility for college students