Cunningham legislation would protect accident victims

SPRINGFIELD – Senator Bill Cunningham passed legislation out of the Illinois Senate requiring insurance companies to fully cover the cost of replacing a vehicle that is totaled in an accident.

Under current Illinois law, insurance companies do not have to pay certain taxes and fees for purchase of a replacement vehicle, saddling accident victims with hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in unanticipated costs — even when they were not at fault in the auto accident.

Read more: Cunningham legislation would protect accident victims

Morrison’s measure to help organ donors passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) passed a measure through the Senate Friday that creates an organ donation tax credit for private employers.

“Organ donors transform lives and reshape futures through selfless acts,” Morrison said. “I’m hopeful this measure will encourage more people to participate in the generous act they feel they have been called to do.”

The measure creates an optional organ donation tax credit for private employers. The credit is applicable if the employer allows its employees the option to take a paid leave of absence for a minimum of 30 days for serving as an organ or bone marrow donor.

Employers can receive a credit equal to the amount of tax withholding payments due with respect to wages paid while an employee is on leave. That amount, however, cannot exceed $1,000 for each employee who takes an organ donation leave.

Read more: Morrison’s measure to help organ donors passes Senate

Feigenholtz plan prohibits DCFS from restraining children

SPRINGFIELD – In response to several instances of shackles and other hard restraints being used during the transport of youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a measure that restricts the use of restraints.

“When a kid in DCFS care is being moved, that process alone already has the potential to be traumatic,” Feigenholtz said. “Under no circumstances should we ever condone adding more trauma by restraining children. These are children, not prisoners, and they must be treated as such.”

Senate Bill 2323 ensures that the DCFS must treat youth in their care with dignity at all times. This means that no youth may be subjected to the use of restraints during transportation services provided or arranged by DCFS. The legislation also requires the department to develop individual trauma-sensitive transfer plans for children under its care.

Read more: Feigenholtz plan prohibits DCFS from restraining children

Ellman legislation to reduce use of PFAS found in firefighting foam passes Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) that would begin phasing out toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam passed the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“Evidence shows that exposure to PFAS can have serious health consequences, including kidney issues and cancer,” Ellman said. “We need to step in now if we want to decrease the public’s exposure, especially firefighters.”

Per-and polyfluoradlkyl substances, frequently called PFAS, are a large group of toxic chemicals that have the ability to repel oil and water, reduce friction, and put out fires. For these reasons, they are especially prevalent in firefighting foam.

There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to negative health effects, like cancer, reproductive issues, and liver and kidney problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Read more: Ellman legislation to reduce use of PFAS found in firefighting foam passes Illinois Senate