Koehler law highlights career and educational opportunities for students living with disabilities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler passed a law to highlight future career opportunities for children living with disabilities.

“Children living with disabilities and their families often feel as if there aren’t many job opportunities after graduation,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). This new law will empower children living with disabilities with opportunities to be successful in our state’s workforce.”

Under House Bill 3224, students with individualized education plans – or IEPs – and their parents will be provided information on the school district’s career and technical education and dual credit opportunities.

Read more: Koehler law highlights career and educational opportunities for students living with disabilities

New landmark Simmons law requires air-conditioning in state-supported affordable housing while making living conditions for affordable housing residents safer

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons championed a new law to improve the quality of life for current affordable housing residents.

“No person should have to be without proper heating and cooling in their home,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Residents deserve an environment that is safe, clean and properly cooled.” 

Senate Bill 2013 is a direct response to the tragic passing of three Rogers Park senior residents who died of suspected heat exhaustion. The law will require any residential building that is state-funded to meet minimum standard of living conditions so they may continue receiving funding from the program.

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Ventura food label standardization measure signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – To promote standardization on food labels and reduce food waste across the state, State Senator Rachel Ventura sponsored House Bill 3849 which was signed into law today.

“By providing more guidance on food labels, we can reduce the amount of food ending up in the garbage and help feed more community members struggling to get by,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “As inflation continues to impact the rising cost of grocery bills, some families might extend the shelf life of their food purchases.”

According to ReFED, a national nonprofit working in conjunction with Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic, a national food labeling standard could divert 582,000 tons of food waste per year and provide $2.41 billion in annual economic value. Illinois does not currently have any food labeling laws; however, if labeled, eggs cannot be sold past the label date.

House Bill 3849 defines "quality date," "safety date" and "sell by date" and requires the Illinois Departments of Agriculture and Public Health to publish information to encourage food manufacturers, processors and retailers to voluntarily use uniform terms on food product labels to communicate quality and safety dates.

Read more: Ventura food label standardization measure signed into law

Gillespie plan to strengthen housing rights for immigrants now law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie led a new law to prohibit the consideration of immigration status during real estate transactions.

“This law sets clear boundaries, protecting the rights of immigrants and ensuring that financial institutions and service providers cannot engage in discriminatory practices,” said Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). “Putting these protections in place will promote fairness to ensure people are not unjustly denied housing.”

The Illinois Human Rights Act will now include immigration status as a protected class, making it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their immigration status when renting or selling property. Landlords and property sellers cannot refuse to rent or sell, receive or transmit offers, or negotiate the terms of a deal with someone based on their immigration status.

Read more: Gillespie plan to strengthen housing rights for immigrants now law