Van Pelt bill to create task force on organ donations
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SPRINGFIELD – A measure championed by State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) to create the Task Force on Best Practices and Licensing of Non-Transplant Organ Donation Organizations was signed into law Friday.
“When people sign up to be organ donors, they are putting their trust in the fact that their organs will be properly kept, and used for science or educational purposes. Unfortunately, there have been cases where family members of the deceased suspected foul play,” Van Pelt said. “There needs to be more regulations in place in order to ensure the safety of organ donations.”
In recent years, the FBI discovered that Biological Resource Center Inc. in states including Illinois, Michigan and Arizona had been misusing donated body parts in a gruesome and criminal manner.
Read more: Van Pelt bill to create task force on organ donations
Loughran Cappel legislation to expand school zone times signed into law
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SHOREWOOD – A piece of bipartisan legislation, led by State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and State Representative Mark Batinick, that would expand the period of time in which school zone speed limits are active was signed into law today.
“Prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our students is a choice,” Loughran Cappel said. “Reckless driving must be discouraged, especially in school zones,
Under current school speed zone rules, children are to be assumed present between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, Plainfield-area high schools begin classes at 7:05 and students arrive during a timeframe when school zone rules are not yet active. Additionally, numerous students arrive before 7 a.m. to attend before school programs, tutoring or other extracurricular activities.
Read more: Loughran Cappel legislation to expand school zone times signed into law
New Ellman law increases retirement fairness for Illinois firefighters
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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois firefighters will be able to worry less about their retirement under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that was signed into law on Friday.
“This law creates a level playing field for all of Illinois’ firefighters,” Ellman said. “Prior law failed to address an oversight that would have caused hundreds of firefighters to lose out on time they’ve served when they retire.”
Previously, firefighters outside of Chicago who began work after 2011 were not allowed to purchase service credit after changing employers. The new law ensures all firefighters can purchase service credit if they move to a new employer who is covered by a different fire pension fund.
Read more: New Ellman law increases retirement fairness for Illinois firefighters
Villa measure to compensate employees for wage theft signed into law
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SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to deter wage theft, State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) sponsored a new law that increases the amount employers who underpay their employees must pay in damages.
“It is unacceptable for an employer to withhold hardworking employees’ wages,” Villa said. “Working families across Illinois deserve to be justly compensated and should receive increased damages for cases of wage theft.”
Currently, employees who do not receive wages in a timely manner are entitled to file a claim to recover their unpaid wages, plus damages totaling 2% of the amount of monthly underpayments. Villa’s legislation will increase the percentage paid in damages from 2% to 5% to more effectively deter wage theft by employers.
Read more: Villa measure to compensate employees for wage theft signed into law
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Porfirio resolution honors U.S. Marine Corps
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Porfirio led a resolution to honor the U.S. Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. “Since its creation, the Marine Corps has played a key role in protecting and safeguarding the security and fr... -
Hastings: Freedom is never free
SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings supported a resolution to honor the United States Marine Corps through renaming a portion of Interstate Route 80. Hastings, who served as a U.S. Army officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom, rose in supp... -
Jones honors fallen state trooper with memorial highway
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III successfully led a resolution to rename a portion of I-55 in honor of late State Trooper Clay M. Carns. “Trooper Carns died doing the same thing he had done every day for 11 years – diligently and faithfully... -
Johnson declares Menopause Awareness Week
SPRINGFIELD – To bring awareness to a condition that will be faced by more than half of all Illinoisans, State Senator Adriane Johnson championed the effort to declare Oct. 11-17, 2026 Menopause Awareness Week. “Highlighting menopause is vital to gua... -
Morrison champions resolution declaring September 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month
DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois. “Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and dege...
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