Villa law supports new Americans in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) requiring the Governor’s Office of New Americans to create and oversee the implementation of a New American Statewide Plan was signed into law on Friday.

“One in seven Illinoisans is an immigrant,” Villa said. “People from across the world come here to make a new life, and we should do all we can to assist them in that endeavor.”

House Bill 1567 seeks to address immigrant and refugee integration issues in Illinois through the establishment of a New American Statewide Plan. Under the legislation, the Governor’s Office of New Americans would be required to put together a plan to ensure their essential duties are being performed.

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Hunter law creates task force on missing and murdered women

CHICAGO – At least 50 women have been reported missing or murdered in Chicago with little to no answers for their families. To address this issue, State Senator Mattie Hunter championed a new law to create the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women.

The task force will examine and report on the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.

“The loss of these women was not just felt by their families, but the Chicago community as a whole,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “That loss is intensified when the family is left with no justice, which is why a task force is necessary to gain some sense of accountability.”

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Senator Morrison law brings gun safety to families

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) championed a recently signed law to ensure people store their guns in a safe and secure manner.

“Recognizing that unsecured guns pose a public health risk is an important step in preventing accidental injuries and deaths,” Morrison said. “These programs will serve as a reminder of the lethal power of firearms and that proper storage can help prevent tragic accidents.”

Morrison sponsored a law signed Friday that directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop a two-year, multi-phase statewide firearm storage and safety campaign that would include distribution of gun locks and safes, buyback programs in partnership with law enforcement and an evaluation piece to measure the impact of the program.

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Restaurants, bars, retailers protected from third-party delivery services under new Feigenholtz law

CHICAGO – Restaurants, bars and retailers will be protected from unscrupulous delivery services thanks to an initiative spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz that was signed into law Friday.

“Businesses have been victims of deceptive delivery services without their knowledge or consent,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “There are reasons some restaurants and bars may decide not to utilize delivery services. Protecting the brand and reputation that small businesses have worked to establish was a top priority and focus of this new law.”

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