SPRINGFIELD – The burden of silence many people face when returning to the workplace almost immediately following the loss of a pregnancy can cause emotional upheaval. State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading a proposal to allow people to take leave following pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or other fertility issues.

“The emotional anguish suffered after a miscarriage or stillbirth is often debilitating,” Bush said. “Returning to work sooner than they’d like leaves little room for grief, mourning and healing.”

Bush’s Senate Bill 3120 expands the Child Bereavement Act by providing up to 10 days of unpaid leave following a pregnancy loss, stillbirth or an unsuccessful intrauterine insemination, among other issues negatively impacting pregnancy or fertility.

SPRINGFIELD – To further reduce opioid abuse, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is leading a measure to give health departments access to necessary patient data for developing public health interventions regarding the ongoing epidemic.

“Thousands of people have been identified as high-risk for opioid addiction, but without access to that data, we are unable to offer them support or treatment programs,” Bush said. “Increasing access to this information simply allows public health professionals to help people before it is too late.”

The measure will allow authorized employees of the Illinois Department of Public Health and county and municipal health departments to access the Prescription Monitoring Program patient databases, which determines if patients may be at risk of opioid addiction. Under current legislation, this data is kept confidential unless shared with law enforcement. However, data on how many patients are at risk for opioid addiction is necessary for many local health departments to develop educational programs, analyze treatment gaps across regions, and even prepare for public health interventions.

SPRINGFIELD – A longtime advocate for women’s rights, Senator Melinda Bush continues to fight for equal protection for women on what should have been the effective date of the Equal Rights Amendment.

“All states need to correct the shameful failure of our Constitution to ensure women are explicitly protected against discrimination,” said Bush (D-Grayslake). “Women deserve the same legal protections as men.”

Under the federal constitution, there is not a provision that expressly guarantees equality on the basis of sex. The proposed Equal Rights Amendment would grant such rights.

In 2018, Bush led efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, making Illinois the 37^th state to do so. Under the U.S. Constitution, amendments become law once ratified by at least three-fourths of U.S. state legislatures — or 38 out of 50. Virginia became the 38^th state in January 2020. 

GRAYSLAKE – Thanks to support from State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) to provide assistance to local libraries for pandemic recovery, three facilities in the district she represents will receive more than $150,000 in combined grants to grow and enhance their services.

“School libraries provide a safe, welcoming space for students to learn and grow,” Bush said. “Some of my fondest memories from grade school were picking out books or participating in library programs with my friends. I wish for all students to have that same opportunity.”

GRAYSLAKE – The holiday season is here, and State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is reminding people to shop local to support businesses as they continue to recover from pandemic-related financial distress and struggle with shipping backups.  

“Small businesses are a part of our communities. They invest in our economy, employ our friends and neighbors, and support local events,” Bush said. “It’s now our turn to support them and invest in all they have to offer.”

As people begin their holiday shopping, Bush is reminding them to frequent small businesses throughout the area. For every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays in the community.

Bush has talked to many small business owners, who say despite the pandemic slowing down, they still need help and support to recover from the losses. Supporting small, however, doesn’t just mean going to brick and mortar stores. People can support small businesses through online sales, ordering carry out from a locally-owned restaurant or buying gift cards. Many local businesses will also be running special deals on Small Business Saturday, which falls on Nov. 27.

Additionally, if money is tight, people can still support local businesses by following their social media, recommending to friends and leaving positive reviews.

“I encourage you to support small businesses in any way you can,” Bush said. “The pandemic was extremely tough on a lot of our local shops, and we must show them the community is here to help.”

SPRINGFIELD – A steadfast advocate for women’s reproductive health care, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) was proud to cast her vote for monumental legislation to prioritize the health and safety of young women.

“When we think of reproductive health care and parenting resources, we often think of established adults starting families,” Bush said. “But the reality is thousands of teenagers across our state are struggling every day with where to turn during an unplanned pregnancy. By prioritizing the health of our young women of today, we are prioritizing the health of future generations.”

“Across the state, people have been left wondering when lawmakers and stakeholders would step up to the plate to protect the environment,” Bush said. “Finally, after years of fighting the clean energy battle, there is hope. I am proud to have supported the most forward-thinking energy legislation this country has seen.”

The comprehensive energy plan sets Illinois on a path toward 50% renewable energy by 2040 and 100% renewable energy by 2050. Municipally owned coal- and natural gas-fired power plants would also have to reduce their carbon emissions to zero by 2045.

The measure creates the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program to support people impacted by the transition, as well as the Energy Transition Assistance Fund to provide money to workforce development and just transition programs. New wind and solar installations to power communities across the state will also support employees in the energy sector by creating thousands of new jobs.

“We are prioritizing equity, providing job resources and training for communities that have historically been left out of the process,” Bush said. “As we continue down this road, moving away from dirty energy – as we continue to move forward – we are making sure there’s something to help the communities that depend economically on traditional power generation facilities.”

The measure passed the Senate Monday and now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

GRAYSLAKE — A steadfast advocate of a woman’s right to choose, State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) issued the following statement after Texas’ six-week abortion ban went into effect early Wednesday morning due to inaction from the nation’s top court:

“Millions of women across Texas were just stripped of their right to choose — and the impact is bound to be devastating. It’s disheartening and downright appalling that a basic health care right is being attacked in yet another state.

“Restrictive laws like the one in Texas don’t ban abortion — they ban safe abortion. They make abortion more dangerous and kill women. 

“While I am relieved women in Illinois are able to depend on the reproductive health care they need, I can honestly say I am afraid of what’s next when it comes to the infringement upon women’s rights across this country. We must stand strong against this misogyny.” 

Bush championed a law in 2017 that ensures Illinois women would still have access to safe and legal abortions should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. She also led the monumental 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which repealed outdated abortion laws that have been blocked by the courts and ensured reproductive health care is treated like all other health care, and not as a crime.