Halpin effort to prevent exploitation of those needing guardianship becomes law in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to protect those needing a guardianship has been signed into law.

“We are seeing instances of those needing guardians being taken advantage of by greedy organizations, that kind of behavior cannot be allowed to continue in our state,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I am pleased to see this law establish commonsense rules around who can be a private professional guardian so we ensure only qualified people are performing this important role.”

Read more: Halpin effort to prevent exploitation of those needing guardianship becomes law in Illinois

Guzmán law to ensure CNAs are paid for every hour they work signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – Certified Nurse Assistants who care for Illinois seniors will now have stronger protections against wage theft under legislation from State Senator Graciela Guzmán, signed into law Friday after years of advocacy by SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana and CNA workers.

“CNAs do some of the hardest and most important work in our healthcare system,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “They care for our parents, grandparents and loved ones every single day. They deserve to be paid for every hour they work. I’m proud to stand alongside SEIU and the workers who fought for this reform to make sure employers can no longer shortchange the people providing care.”

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Affordable housing initiative for DuPage and Will counties to be greenlit under new Ellman law

SPRINGFIELD — A new law from State Senator Laura Ellman is set to give counties additional tools to support affordable housing development and address growing housing affordability challenges facing working families and middle-income residents.

“As housing costs continue to rise faster than incomes, more families are finding themselves priced out of the communities they work and live in,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law will help local governments create more housing options while supporting mixed-income communities and long-term affordability.”

House Bill 4571 allows counties with populations between 750,000 and 2 million, as well as counties with executive forms of government and populations between 650,000 and 2 million, to take additional actions to support affordable housing development and preservation.

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Cervantes law updates nursing education standards

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes led a measure revising requirements for nursing programs, aligning standards with other states.

“Ensuring patients receive top-notch medical care starts with provider education,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “Bringing Illinois’ nursing standards in line with other states will give nurses the proper training to work anywhere in the country – Illinois or any other state.”

Since Dec. 31, 2022, a national nursing accrediting body licenses registered nurses across the country. Cervantes’ law standardizes this process by having the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Board of Nursing oversee all Illinois nursing education programs, including new program creation, curriculum and simulation use in education.

Read more: Cervantes law updates nursing education standards