Aquino bill securing representation for non-citizen Cook County residents advances

SPRINGFIELD – Amid rampant immigration enforcement and alleged due process violations for immigrants across the country, State Senator Omar Aquino championed a measure to fortify representation for non-citizen Cook County residents undergoing immigration proceedings.

“The federal administration has targeted immigrant communities to instill fear and chaos in our neighborhoods, but Illinois is pushing back,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “We are a welcoming state and we believe in the right to due process for all, regardless of a person’s immigration status.”

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Johnson champions measure to remove financial barriers for student teachers

SPRINGFIELD — Student teachers in Illinois may soon have new opportunities for fair compensation, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Adriane Johnson that passed the Senate.

“Student teachers are not volunteers — they’re future educators doing real, meaningful work in classrooms every single day,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “This legislation breaks down outdated barriers that prevented them from being paid and opens the door for school districts, nonprofits, and higher education institutions to offer compensation.”

House Bill 3528 would prohibit public universities from enforcing policies that require student teachers to work without the possibility of pay. While the bill does not mandate payment, it removes language that explicitly prohibits compensation — allowing local innovation and partnership in addressing the teacher shortage.

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Measure to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions passes the Senate, thanks to Ellman

SPRINGFIELD – Establishing transparent guidelines for prescriptions, State Senator Laura Ellman passed a measure out of the Senate to give patients and pharmacies clarity regarding restrictions on medication containing ephedrine.

“People with common health issues like allergies or low blood pressure may need ephedrine medication and might not have any alternative treatment options,” said Ellman. “Both providers and patients are at risk of violating existing restrictions on ephedrine medications due to a lack of clarity within current law.”

Read more: Measure to clarify ephedrine prescription exemptions passes the Senate, thanks to Ellman

Lightford: Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led the charge to put an end to “resident dumping” – an inhumane practice in which a nursing facility discharges a resident and refuses to readmit them after a hospital stay.

"Resident dumping is a betrayal of trust at life's most vulnerable moment,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Seniors have made these places their sanctuaries, their communities and their final homes. To deny them return is to strip away their belonging, security and dignity when they need it most.”

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