ISDC

Latino Caucus celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by engaging the community and honoring trailblazers

Lightford among top notable Black leaders in Illinois

Senate Democrats celebrate over $305 million in federal grant funding to support infrastructure projects

September is National Preparedness Month

Villanueva law safeguards and upholds reproductive rights

Senate approves Murphy’s plan to authorize more health care professionals to administer COVID-19 vaccine

Details: Friday, April 01, 2022 03:30 PM

Senator Murphy

SPRINGFIELD –To address the rising demand for COVID-19 vaccinations, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) advanced an initiative to allow more health care workers to administer the vaccines.

“With more people wanting to protect themselves against COVID-19, at times there were not enough administrators for the number of individuals trying to get vaccinated,” Murphy said. “To offer more flexibility, vaccination clinics should be able to hire qualified health care professionals to administer COVID shots.”

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is vital to stopping the spread of the virus and lowering mortality rates. However, if there are not enough people able to administer vaccines, people may experience delays in making appointments to get their shot or booster. Currently, physicians, pharmacists, PAs, and APRNs are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines, but with the public demand for these shots, some health care centers are struggling to find enough administrators with these qualifications.

Jones measure to require insurers to provide annual prostate cancer screenings

Details: Friday, April 01, 2022 02:52 PM

Senator Jones

CHICAGO – State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) is sponsoring legislation to mandate and require private insurers to allow men to get annual prostate cancer screenings free-of-charge.

“It’s important to be aware of your health risks — this bill will make prostate cancer screenings more accessible for men across the state,” Jones said. “Prostate cancer is life threatening — a simple test can detect it early and save a life.”

House Bill 5318 would require private insurers to provide all qualifying male policyholders with an annual prostate cancer screening upon the recommendations of a physician.

Senate Democrats introduce Strengthening Illinois Families and Children package

Details: Thursday, March 31, 2022 05:59 PM

lightford 033122 SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus joined child care advocates and parents on Tuesday to introduce a slate of legislation that would invest in families and children.

“To strengthen the lives of Illinois children, we have to ensure families have the freedom to give their children richer and fuller lives,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “By investing in their potential, we also indirectly construct more equitable communities that offer greater opportunities for growth.”

Legislation in the Strengthening Illinois Families and Children package include initiatives to expand the earned income credit, create a child tax credit, expand child care benefits to low-income families and funding for child care and early childhood education programs.

Ellman’s measure to support Gold Star Families passes the Senate

Details: Thursday, March 31, 2022 05:47 PM

Senator Ellman

SPRINGFIELD – More members of Gold Star families would be eligible to receive dedicated license plates under legislation sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that advanced out of the Senate Thursday.

“Behind every brave service member who answers the call of duty is a family who makes great sacrifices as well,” Ellman said. “When a life is lost in the line of action, those families are left with memories and the thanks of a grateful nation.”

House Bill 5078 expands the current eligibility list for Gold Star Family license plates to include stepchildren, adopted children and half-siblings of veterans who lost their lives serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces, and waives the registration fee for children in Gold Star Families. The legislation also aligns existing language regarding eligibility for a Gold Star lapel button with language used by the Department of Defense.

Follow ILSenDems

Member News

Preston announces $1.5 million to save Pike House

CHICAGO – State Senator Willie Preston joined the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, Beverly Area Arts Alliance and Commissioner Stanley Moore Saturday to announce significant state funding secured by Preston to save, renovate and reinvigorate the Pike...

Read more...
Funding for workforce training coming to 20th District thanks to Toro

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including more than $280,000 for workforce training i...

Read more...
Holmes joins Morrison on new law clarifying drone use in communities

AURORA – In 2023, State Senator Linda Holmes collaborated with State Senator Julie Morrison to allow law enforcement agencies to use drones for public safety. This year, they cosponsored Senate Bill 2849 to give local governments authority to set rea...

Read more...
Holmes announces $4.5 million in Illinois EPA’s no-interest loans to replace lead water lines in Batavia

AURORA – An additional $4.5 million has been provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for Batavia’s ongoing lead water line replacement program, State Senator Linda Holmes announced Friday. The city will replace approximately 150 lead...

Read more...
Preston applauds FDA ban on brominated vegetable oil

CHICAGO - Senator Willie Preston commended the Food and Drug Administration for its decision to ban brominated vegetable oil, a harmful food additive that has posed significant health risks to consumers for decades. "It’s great that the FDA has final...

Read more...