Welcome to the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus

Turner law strengthens school policies for service animals

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner will strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.

“Students with service animals will no longer face setbacks because of a lack of understanding of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure students feel welcome at school, no matter their needs.”

Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Bill 2761 will set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive. 

Read more: Turner law strengthens school policies for service animals

Loughran Cappel law to allow full-time licenses for paraprofessionals with short-term approval licenses

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law that lets paraprofessionals who have a short-term approval license get a full license after their short-term license expires.

“Illinois’ teacher shortage is impacting children’s ability to learn,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “When we invest in the people already showing up for our students every day, we don’t just fill classrooms – we build careers, strengthen communities and deepen the roots of education from the inside out.”

Read more: Loughran Cappel law to allow full-time licenses for paraprofessionals with short-term approval...

Morrison law ensures schools can respond to hypoglycemic emergencies

SPRINGFIELD — A new law led by State Senator Julie Morrison will ensure schools can provide undesignated prescription glucagon to students with diabetes suffering from a hypoglycemic emergency.

“Diabetes requires lifelong, timely and attentive maintenance to ensure proper blood sugar levels,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “Hypoglycemic emergencies can happen at any time – it is imperative that we equip school professionals with the resources and training needed to assist during a health emergency.”

Read more: Morrison law ensures schools can respond to hypoglycemic emergencies

Edly-Allen law to strengthen survivor rights in sexual assault investigations

SPRINGFIELD – According to the RAINN, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police, underscoring the need to build trust and improve survivor experiences within the justice system. To address this critical issue, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen advanced a new law aimed at improving how survivors of sexual assault are supported during the criminal justice process.

“Survivors of sexual assault deserve to feel safe, respected and fully supported when they are coming forward,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “House Bill 4394 is about making sure survivors know their rights and have some control in a moment where so much has already been taken from them.”

House Bill 4394 will require law enforcement officers to inform survivors of sexual assault or abuse that they may request to be interviewed by an officer of a particular sex or gender.

Read more: Edly-Allen law to strengthen survivor rights in sexual assault investigations