Lightford fights for equitable funding for higher education

MAYWOOD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system through newly-filed legislation that would take a student-centered approach. 

“Despite education’s paramount importance, the disparity in funding among higher educational institutions remains dreadfully evident,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This imbalance not only undermines the principle of equal opportunity but also hampers our collective progress as a society.”

Lightford was instrumental in creating the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding in 2021. Over the last two years, the 30-person commission studied if public institutions of higher education are in dire need of a new funding model when serving underrepresented and historically underserved student groups, including Black and Brown students, as well as students from low-income families.

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Updates to Illinois’ biometric privacy signed into law thanks to Cunningham

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham’s measure that updates liability guidelines in the Biometric Information Privacy Act was signed into law on Friday.

“In order for Illinois to continue being a leader on biometric protections for consumers, these changes were necessary,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Not only did we preserve protections in BIPA, we made sure to clarify damages so businesses in our state are not crushed by penalties for violation.”

Cunningham’s measure limits the number of claims accrued should an employee bring a lawsuit against a company for a violation of BIPA. If a certain biometric identifier is collected by the same employer in the same manner, only one violation would accrue. This is a change from the previous interpretation of BIPA, where claims were accrued on a per-collection basis, which resulted in hundreds of claims on a repeated violation.

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Turner law holds bad actors in the EMS field accountable

SPRINGFIELD – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner will increase public safety by suspending EMS professionals who have been charged with a crime while performing their duties.

“We have to hold bad actors accountable,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “People need to know that those who respond to an emergency will prioritize their safety.”

Turner’s law will allow the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, or their designee, to determine if the suspension of an EMS professional should extend statewide. This will apply in situations when an EMS professional has been charged with a crime while performing their official duties and continuing to practice poses the possibility of harm to the public.

“By putting these guardrails in place, we are ensuring public safety is at the forefront of our priorities,” said Turner.

Senate Bill 3134 was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.

Murphy law combats prescription medication shortages

SPRINGFIELD – Relief from drug shortages is coming soon for Illinoisans with prescription medications, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Laura Murphy.

“No one wants to have to call every pharmacy in their area just to see if their medication is in stock. This process takes precious time, and some pharmacies won’t give out that information over the phone,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “What’s worse is when generic medication is unavailable while brand-name medication is, the patient’s insurance often times won’t cover it. This can result in patients paying tens or hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket just to maintain their health.”

Murphy’s measure will require group health insurance and managed care plans to cover brand-name prescription drugs if the generic drug is unavailable during a nationwide shortage.

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