Fine, Villa hold subject matter hearing to advocate for youth in need

WEST CHICAGO – State Senators Laura Fine and Karina Villa held a Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Subject Matter Hearing Thursday to discuss the psychiatric needs of detained youth across Illinois.

“Today’s hearing shined a light on where we need to focus our efforts to improve the delivery of mental healthcare for youth in crisis across Illinois,” said Fine (D—Glenview). “Our committees are working diligently to ensure our children and loved ones have access to vital mental health resources and treatments for successful outcomes.”

The hearing was held at the request of Villa’s Mental Health Advisory Committee, a group made up of mental health professionals in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties who work together to advocate for mental health resources and care in the community.

Read more: Fine, Villa hold subject matter hearing to advocate for youth in need

Senate Black Caucus Members Discuss Men’s Health

June marked Men’s Health Month. Senators in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus discussed various topics impacting men’s health during a virtual town hall to bring more awareness to the cause. Inspired by the signing of House Bill 4589 creating a Men’s Health Division in the Illinois Department of Public Health, the senators were empowered to speak on how Illinois supports healthy communities.

State Senators Napoleon Harris III, Robert Peters and Elgie Sims R. Sims, Jr. discussed the importance of prostate cancer awareness, telehealth opportunities, going to the doctor and much more. The event was moderated by fellow Illinois Legislative Black Caucus member State Senator Christopher Belt.

Read more: Senate Black Caucus Members Discuss Men’s Health

Illinois State Fairgrounds to receive $58.1 million investment due Turner-supported plan

SPRINGFIELD – New construction projects will soon pop up around the historic Illinois State Fairgrounds to address years of deferred maintenance thanks to advocacy of State Senator Doris Turner.

“The investment into the State Fairgrounds will provide an extensive facelift, further improving the fair experience for everyone,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “People from all over Illinois come to Springfield to enjoy the fair, and these investments will draw more tourists and provide them with a better State Fair experience for years to come.”

Read more: Illinois State Fairgrounds to receive $58.1 million investment due Turner-supported plan

Hunter’s CROWN Act is now law

CHICAGO – Employers can no longer discriminate based on hair, thanks to a measure led by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was signed into law Wednesday by Governor JB Pritzker, which includes hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists to the Illinois Human Rights Act’s definition of “race”.

“So much of our identity has been wrapped into our hair, and the way we wear it has been judged for centuries,” Hunter said. “The CROWN Act shouldn’t have been necessary in the land of the ‘free’, but its implementation will protect people from petty discrimination.”

Read more: Hunter’s CROWN Act is now law