Lightford leads measure to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion

SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing that financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to maintain control over victims, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford led a measure through the Senate to prohibit collection agencies from collecting debt incurred through coercion.

"Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking should not be haunted by debts that were forced upon them during their trauma," said Lightford (D-Maywood). "We must prevent predatory collection practices that can re-traumatize survivors and hinder their path to recovery and independence."

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Hastings measure to streamline missing persons investigations passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations.

“When you believe a loved one has gone missing, you need action taken without hesitation,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Eliminating the waiting period and utilizing national databases will give families peace of mind and give law enforcement more tools in the search.”

Senate Bill 24 would eliminate any law enforcement policy requiring the observance of a waiting period before accepting a missing persons report. The bill would also require information from a missing persons report to be immediately entered into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System upon reception of a report. Under the measure, law enforcement agencies must adopt a strategy regarding missing persons investigations, reporting and follow-up action.

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Ellman advances measure to grant high school credits to middle school students

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Ellman advanced a measure out of the Senate to ensure middle school students have the option to earn high school credit for high school level courses.

“Our students deserve support every step along their academic career paths,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Middle school students working toward the next educational milestone need the attention, care and resources that ensure proper consideration of their academic abilities.”

Under current Illinois law, middle school students are able to receive credit for high school level courses, as long as the course is offered by the high school in the student’s district and the instructor holds a professional educator license and is endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.

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Morrison works to remove dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ from household products

SPRINGFIELD — In response to growing research about the long-term health risks posed by PFAS — commonly known as “forever chemicals” — State Senator Julie Morrison is working to eliminate their use within everyday products sold in Illinois.

To reduce Illinoisans’ exposure to these chemicals, House Bill 2516 would ban intentionally added PFAS from seven categories of products sold and distributed in the state, including cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, children’s items, menstrual products, intimate apparel and food packaging. Morrison’s bill prioritizes products where PFAS exposure is likely to be frequent or prolonged, especially for vulnerable populations like children, and sets a 2032 implementation date to give manufacturers time to phase out their use.

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