Senate approves Turner’s initiative to plan celebrations in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary
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SPRINGFIELD – As the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States nears, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) championed a measure to establish a commission to carry out celebrations in Illinois leading up to and commemorating the day.
“The 250th anniversary of our country’s founding will be a special time for the nation as we reflect on our history and accomplishments while also charting a course for the future,” Turner said. “Celebrations will ring from the coast of Maine to the glaciers of Alaska, and Illinois will join in those celebrations with a truly special program.”
This measure follows a federal initiative to create a national USA 250 commission. Members of the state commission will include representatives from the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as members picked by a bipartisan group of government leaders. The Director of the Illinois State Museum will serve as the Illinois America 250 Commission Chair.
Gillespie, Walker strengthen consent laws for survivors of sexual assault
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday to remove barriers to justice for survivors of sexual assault.
“Survivors deserve a justice system that supports them during one of the most difficult times of their lives,” Gillespie said. “This measure removes a loophole that should never have existed and allows survivors to seek justice.”
House Bill 5441 clarifies the existing definition of “unable to give knowing consent” by adding that the survivor remains unable to consent if they voluntarily consumed an intoxicating substance. Under current interpretation, the offender must have provided the intoxicating substance to the survivor to be held responsible for a sexual assault.
Read more: Gillespie, Walker strengthen consent laws for survivors of sexual assault
Senate Democrats show off cancer support with suits and sneakers
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SPRINGFIELD – During their final week of legislative session, the Illinois Senate Democrats traded in their dress shoes for sneakers to raise awareness to cancer.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get screened regularly,” said State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville). “I waited 15 years to get screened and I wish I wouldn’t have. Making and keeping those appointments can feel inconvenient, but they’re much less inconvenient than receiving a cancer diagnosis that could have been caught sooner.”
Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaborative nationwide annual event in which the American Cancer Society and the National Collegiate Athletic Association team up to bring awareness to cancer, which is among the leading causes of death worldwide, by wearing sneakers with their suits during games.
Read more: Senate Democrats show off cancer support with suits and sneakers
Van Pelt measure to expand access to prenatal services
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SPRINGFIELD – Building upon efforts to address maternal and infant mortality in the state of Illinois, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is leading a measure to expand access to prenatal services.
“Prenatal and perinatal care can make a world of a difference in a mother and a child’s life,” Van Pelt said. “Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t have the same access to this kind of care, which is why the measure is vital.”
House Bill 5013 requires a managed care organization to pay for preventative prenatal services, perinatal healthcare services, and postpartum services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, as long as that the provider has not rejected a contract offered in good faith within the last twelve months or had a contract terminated for cause.
Read more: Van Pelt measure to expand access to prenatal services
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