SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) spearheaded a measure that was signed on Monday to help connect residents of long-term care facilities to loved ones during disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve learned from this pandemic how social isolation can have such a negative effect on mental health, especially for older adults in our state,” Cullerton said. “It’s so important that if anything like this pandemic happens again, long-term care facilities have a plan of action to make sure their residents have the opportunity to call their loved ones frequently.”
Read more: Cullerton celebrates signing of legislation to help long-term care facility residents
SPRINGFIELD – Schools will have to follow specific trauma-informed guidelines for school shooting lockdown drills under State Senator Karina Villa’s (D-West Chicago) new law.
“We should be doing everything in our power to stop school shootings and avoid the trauma that comes from shooting events — including that caused by involvement in graphic simulations during lockdown drills,” Villa said. “Our students should feel safe at school, and these trauma-informed guidelines will help them prepare for the worst without carrying the weight of a simulated tragedy.”
Read more: Villa law mandates trauma-informed school shooting lockdown drills
SPRINGFIELD – This year, State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) spearheaded a measure to enhance the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors Act in order to encourage people to report crimes without fear of jeopardizing their immigration status. The legislation was signed into law on Monday.
“Everyone deserves to be able to protect themselves from crime, and a big part of that is having the ability to report wrongs against them or their loved ones to law enforcement,” Castro said. “The VOICES Act and these enhancements will help both victims harmed by criminal activity and law enforcement looking to investigate the criminal activity.”
Read more: Castro celebrates signing of legislation to empower immigrant victims of crime to report
SPRINGFIELD – Northern Illinoisans will be able to access mental health care closer to their homes and families under a new law sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) establishing a collaborative agreement with private providers in Wisconsin.
“Previously, Illinois residents weren’t allowed to undergo court-ordered mental health treatment in Wisconsin—even if they traveled across state lines every day for work and to visit family,” Johnson said. “It simply doesn’t make sense to force people to seek mental health care hours from home when qualified facilities are close by.”
Read more: Illinois residents can seek mental health care in Wisconsin under new Johnson law
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