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Expanded pathways for in-state tuition eligibility for students thanks to Villivalam law

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 01:58 PM

SPRINGFIELD- To increase access to higher education opportunities for students, including many of our immigrant residents, State Senator Ram Villivalam championed a law that expands eligibility for in-state tuition at Illinois colleges and universities.

“By expanding the eligibility pathways for in-state tuition, we are continuing to break down barriers to higher education,” said Villivalam. “This law will help ensure these opportunities continue to be accessible to members of our community.”

Under the new law, an individual can obtain in-state tuition if they are an Illinois resident, graduate from a high school in Illinois or attend a high school in Illinois for at least two years prior to enrollment.

Porfirio: Our service members deserve every chance to succeed

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 01:50 PM

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the National Guard and Reserve who are college or university students will soon be able to make up coursework they missed due to military obligations, thanks to a new law State Senator Mike Porfirio spearheaded through the General Assembly.

“This new law ensures our National Guard and Reserve members can fulfill their military duties without jeopardizing their academic progress,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This is a vital step in supporting their dual commitment to both education and service.”

According to Student Veterans of America, around 16% of military students are members of the Reserve or National Guard. The new law ensures fair treatment for these students by requiring public colleges and universities in Illinois to enact policies allowing students to complete missed classwork and assignments if the reason for the student’s absence was to fulfill military obligations.

Aquino law takes aim at unfair labor practices

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 01:42 PM

Aquino SPRINGFIELD – When an unfair labor practice charge is filed, workers rely on Illinois’ labor oversight boards to take timely action to protect their rights and help resolve issues related to unfair or unlawful practices.

To ensure workers do not wait in limbo to find out the future of their livelihood, State Senator Omar Aquino led a measure to streamline the resolution process at worksites involved in these proceedings.

“The fight for workers’ rights has been a long, ongoing battle. It’s the reason we have paid time off, a work week and weekend, parental leave and safety in the workplace,” said Aquino (D-Chicago). “Most employers engage with labor unions lawfully, but when bad actors find new ways to twist the law and get around these hard-fought protections, we need to take action to cement these rights with a strong foundation that can continue to be built upon.”

Cunningham’s law requires new training for skin cancer identification

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 01:34 PM

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham led a law adding new training requirements to identify potential skin cancer for chiropractors, nail technicians, cosmetologists and massage therapists.

“We wanted every ‘hands-on’ profession to receive this training so skin cancer can be more easily identified early on,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “We know that if skin cancer is detected early, it can be dealt with before serious issues arise.”

The legislation came about because of a nail technician who was able to identify carcinoma near their client’s fingernail. The nail tech had seen this in the past with a previous client, and the previous client reported back to the tech that it was indeed a cancerous growth. When the tech notified the new client about an abnormal skin growth, the client went to get it checked out, confirming the growth was cancerous and proceeding with medical treatment from their doctor.

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