Turner advances measure to protect school bus passengers

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to increase student safety, State Senator Doris Turner passed a measure through the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday that would allow school busses to have two extended stop arms.

“When students are getting on or off a school bus, we have to prioritize their safety,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Drivers often don’t take stopped school busses seriously. An extended arm would prevent drivers from putting students in danger.”

Senate Bill 2340 would allow a school bus to be equipped with a maximum of two stop arms that partially obstruct the roadway. The extensions would be required to be on the driver's side of the school bus and contain a system of flashing red lights.

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Stadelman task force to preserve local journalism convenes for first time Monday

ROCKFORD -- A task force appointed to study the decline of local journalism in Illinois and recommend ways to revive the industry meets for the first time Monday, March 27.

The task force is being led by State Senator Steve Stadelman, who passed legislation to establish the panel of frontline journalists and academics and who worked 25 years as an award-winning television reporter and news anchor before his election to the Illinois General Assembly in 2012.

"Newsrooms across the nation are shrinking, especially in smaller and more rural areas, and an alarming number have closed in the last decade," Stadelman said. "When people don't know what's happening on their town councils and school boards, they can't make educated decisions or hold public officials accountable."

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Murphy’s measure to address gap in disability specialist workforce passes

SPRINGFIELD – To address the growing need for direct support professionals, State Senator Laura Murphy passed legislation to provide college students with hands-on training and experience in the field.

“Direct Support Professionals help disabled individuals realize their full potential, that is why it is vital to help remove barriers to entering the workforce,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “The pandemic exacerbated the shortage of disability staff members, and we need to develop programs that help students get the experience they need to enter this workforce.”

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Lightford: Every child deserves access to high-quality reading education

Lightford passes measure to develop statewide literacy plan

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford passed a measure through the Senate to implement an equitable literacy plan in schools to support the best interests of students.

“Low student literacy is an urgent crisis that has a solution,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “Literacy is critical to social, economic, and health justice, which makes improving literacy outcomes a top public policy priority. Every child deserves access to high-quality reading education.”

Lightford’s measure would require the Illinois State Board of Education to create a comprehensive literacy plan. The plan – which would be due Jan. 31, 2024 – would outline ways to increase research-aligned, developmentally appropriate reading instruction in schools.

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