Harmon passes bipartisan measure to prevent traffic obstructions at O’Hare

SPRINGFIELD – Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) took a step today to improve traffic safety around O’Hare Airport.

In response to reports of dangerous conditions around the airport, Harmon passed legislation prohibiting drivers from stopping their vehicles on the shoulder of the road anywhere within a half-mile radius of O’Hare.

“O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country,” Harmon said. “With thousands of cars coming through daily, obstructions on the roadway present a threat to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”

Read more: Harmon passes bipartisan measure to prevent traffic obstructions at O’Hare

Ventura leads bipartisan bill to provide psilocybin treatments

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura announced that Senate Bill 3695 has been assigned to the Senate Executive Committee and has bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 3695, also known as the CURE Act – or the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act – aims to tackle treatment-resistant conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions. Additionally, it would facilitate research into the safety and efficacy of psilocybin through medical, psychological, and scientific studies. New Chief Co-Sponsor Senator Craig Wilcox has researched and considered filing a similar psilocybin bill focused on mental health and medicinal use for more than two years.

Read more: Ventura leads bipartisan bill to provide psilocybin treatments

Villa initiative expanding bilingual health care workforce passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Karina Villa to expand opportunities for Spanish-speakers to become certified nursing assistants passed the Senate on Thursday.

“Promoting the diversity of our health care workforce is crucial for increasing the quality of care in communities across Illinois,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “It is essential for patients to be able to connect with their health care providers without encountering a language barrier.”

House Bill 5218 would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to create rules to offer the nursing assistant certification exam in Spanish while preventing restrictions on eligibility for individuals seeking to take the exam in Spanish.

“We must remove barriers that prevent qualified and skilled workers from becoming certified nursing assistants, especially during our current health care worker shortage,” said Villa. “Supporting these individuals will help address this issue and will expand the skill pool in the health care field.”

House Bill 5218 passed the Senate on Thursday.

Villanueva leads measure to protect the DNA rights of crime victims

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Celina Villanueva championed a measure to provide further protections to crime victims.

“There is no reason why crime survivors, who are brave enough to share DNA, should have to look over their shoulder wondering if their DNA they voluntarily provided will be used against them,” said Villanueva (D–Chicago). “This provision protects survivors and ensures they are able to seek justice without fear of systemic retaliation.”

House Bill 1168 would ensure that DNA evidence collected from a crime victim is not entered into a DNA database.

Read more: Villanueva leads measure to protect the DNA rights of crime victims