Ellman law strengthens water protections for Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to address critical water issues across the state and enhance current protections to fulfill existing water needs, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a law to create the State Water Plan Task Force.

“Over time, contaminants in our waterways pose serious health risks to communities and wildlife,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “We need to ensure existing and future water concerns are addressed consequentially without any delays.”

This law requires the State Water Plan Task Force to address water issues and reevaluate environmental needs by assisting state and local authorities in the implementation of recommended plans. Further, it requires the task force to publish a State Water Plan at least once every 10 years and meet once per quarter each calendar year.

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Johnson law brings new elementary school to North Chicago

SPRINGFIELD – After realizing the dire need for a new building, State Senator Adriane Johnson led a new law to expedite the process of constructing a new elementary school for North Chicago.

“It’s easy to see the construction of a new school is a more efficient solution than continuing to pour funds into rehabilitating the current building,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).  “We need to create safe and well-equipped schools, and this law will allow that to happen sooner rather than later.”

The new law allows North Chicago District 187 to move forward with a new building on the most efficient timeline possible by bypassing public referendum requirements — saving the district critical resources and time.

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Collins law will further family reunification efforts for youth in care

SPRINGFIELD – Financial responsibilities weigh heavy on families in the foster care system and to stop the disproportionate impact, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will include family circumstances as part of the determination process when evaluating parents’ ability to pay for the cost of foster care.

“Many parents are held responsible for more than they can afford to pay within the foster care system, and this can delay any reunification efforts for the child,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “Our focus should be on reunifying families, and with this law we will ensure families are not overloaded with financial responsibilities and give their best effort to take care of the child.”

Read more: Collins law will further family reunification efforts for youth in care

Halpin passes law with assistance from Rock Island probation officer

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s measure to create a Community-Based Corrections Task Force to research the benefits of specialty courts and community-based correctional centers was signed into law on Friday.

“Listening to the experts and community residents is how we create common-sense laws that are fair to everyone,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This task force will show us how folks struggling with mental illness or addiction interact with our criminal justice system so we can achieve better outcomes for these individuals while keeping our communities safe.”

Halpin’s law creates a task force to discuss benefits of community-based correctional facilities and specialty courts in Illinois. Community-based correctional centers are alternatives to prison that provide a different way for individuals who are convicted of crimes to be rehabilitated back into society without having to be incarcerated. One alternative to traditional corrections is the use of specialty courts, also known as problem-solving courts. These courts are designed to lead people out of a cycle with the justice system and into treatment programs.

Read more: Halpin passes law with assistance from Rock Island probation officer